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Parks in Progress ,. ____,_ .r
<br /> � a Inv he boom is on With 20 artificially created whitewater parks already flowing in the U.S., there are at least ; T '
<br /> T 21 more in the works. Here's a sampler of upcoming whitewater parks guaranteed to put more play in
<br /> your paddling. For more information and links to many of the projects check the Susquehanna Whitewater
<br /> f Park Alliance Web site at www.swwparkalliance.com. Celebrates
<br /> Casper, Wyoming —North Platte River s e
<br /> This project was spurred by a larger waterfront rehabilitation - A �" 1 1j 1,1 ..--, .:::;. .4r„ ' -r .E 2
<br /> i
<br /> project, partially funded by a downtown oil refinery. While the project . ' ` w :
<br /> i is currently in the permitting phase, construction is expected to begin ... 1 ' 1 o
<br /> in the fall of 2002. The park was designed by Gary Lacy and includes "'-` `� -'' .
<br /> five or six structures, including the modification of an existing rubble �°
<br /> dam, all within a half -mile stretch. Flows range between 200 -2,000 ds 4 ,, _ o
<br /> 7 : • 3
<br /> Charlotte, North Carolina A look of things to come: Vail 8 Ban. •. _
<br /> While this proposed park is still in the planning stages, if
<br /> approved and when completed, it would be the nation's first course right in town, which was informally - constructed 25 years ago. �
<br /> completely man -made, recirculating, river -free whitewater park. Inspired The improvements will modify existing play features and add several.
<br /> by the Pernith, Australia, Olympic course, the facility will cost as much more to the 400 -yard -long channel.
<br /> as $10 million. The two- channel course will be 1,500 feet long, and is �� ���
<br /> intended for all types of events, from World Cup races to outreach Lyons, Colorado —North St. Vrain River.
<br /> programs to commercial rafting. Completion is expected in 2003. This small town at the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Complete C.oho -Cat
<br /> __ Park already boasts good boating, but this proposed 1,400- foot -long solo fishing -
<br /> Fayetville, North Carolina —Cross Creek _ course in a city park through the center of town would draw even package
<br /> Architect Gordon Johnson has proposed that the city of more adventurers. With a permit in hand and designs in place, only
<br /> Fayetville convert a four -mile section of polluted Cross Creek into a funding could delay the scheduled fall 2002 construction. While the ;' z
<br /> recreation haven by building a waterway that includes whitewater park would run dry for kayakers in July, fishermen and tubers - �`
<br /> „_ �-
<br /> features. Though the course and related stream rehabilitation would could enjoy the seven or eight proposed drops in late summer.
<br /> �:
<br /> • cost millions, proponents are applying for grants from the state's �.
<br /> H g r -� r ear Water Management Trust Fund to ^ °° fo the ve McHenry, Maryland r�u.... rvl�nd
<br /> The proposed 1,400- foot -long recirculating course will be only � '
<br /> Green River, Wyoming —Green River the first feature in a larger, 650 -acre adventure - sports facility being' '>
<br /> longer need dread 1 -80 across Wyoming. B the planned by a non-profit group. The Adventure Sports Center will also �
<br /> Boaters no loo
<br /> g By P Y P g P P # �� �
<br /> summer of 2002, a playpark should be in place just off the Interstate have rock climbing and mountain biking facilities, but will begin with
<br /> at Expedition Island Park, the historical launch site of Major John the John Anderson - designed whitewater course. The plans call for a
<br /> Wesley Powell's famous Colorado /Green expeditions. Where the river is 15 -foot drop along the course's length as well as inflatable bladders
<br /> split by the island, currently a city park, features will be built that to compliment the permanent river -rock installations. The group is
<br /> include two large surf waves on one side and a slalom course in the also planning a whitewater hall of fame at the site
<br /> other, currently dry channel. Yet another Gary Lacy project.
<br /> Missoula /Milltown, Montana —
<br /> Gunnison, Colorado— Gunnison River Clark's Fork River : � z ,
<br /> ��
<br /> Though this project was permitted three years ago, and has a To be located at the confluence of the Blackfoot and Clark's �3a . ,.;
<br /> design in lace, funding has been slow to come. Once the cash is
<br /> g P g Fork rivers, when completed this park will be the nation's largest r • _3' - -1 4 .,s, 4 "..*,
<br /> secured the playpark, located within a county park, will feature six natural -river play park. The project is linked to a superfund site
<br /> or seven separate drops. cleanup, so construction may be a ways off, but thanks to designer
<br /> Gary Lacy, it has a conceptual plan. The course will be built in an ?a+� a„,,,,,
<br /> Havre de Grace, Maryland already existing riverside park with three features on the Blackfoot
<br /> With a master plan that proposes five different courses along and seven on the Clark's Fork, and will include surf waves, playholes�, SERIES -
<br /> the Susquehanna between Havre de Grace, Md., and Williamsport, Pa., and a slalom course. Perfo rmanoe Vii? fun
<br /> the visionaries behind this project are concentrating first on a ` at a coIpetltfve " '
<br /> recirculating course on the banks of Chesapeake Bay. Three or four pT't
<br /> g P Y Pueblo, Colorado— Arkansas River Large interior" . spae
<br /> locations are under consideration, but whichever site is chosen, the This facility is part of an Army Corps of Engineers habitat
<br /> course will be approximately 500 yards long, 30 feet wide and feature improvement project that begins with the modification of a low -head
<br /> an overall drop of 16 to 20 feet. Designers are considering a modular dam in downtown Pueblo. An additional seven or eight features will
<br /> fiberglass construction and plan to install lights, as many as two be added downstream to form a slalom course and play features To C aI I For Pricing
<br /> footbridges, grand stands and locker room facilities. In order to cover be completed in 2003. '<
<br /> costs, planners are considering selling the naming rights to the facility.
<br /> Reno, Nevada — Truckee River
<br /> Kernville, California —Kern River With a $1 million budget, this project aims to rehabilitate the
<br /> Two facilities are in the works for this small Sierra town. The walled -in Truckee River as it passes through downtown Reno. In
<br /> first is the modification of an existing slalom course —the site of addition to naturalizing the channel and adding a greenway, plans �/v.$otarcorn
<br /> the 2001 Slalom Nationals -20 minutes upstream from town. Those
<br /> P are in the world to add. slalom course and surf waves on either ` E I -p�jj SOfie"1r@SOtal: corn
<br /> modifications should be in place for this year's runoff. The second side of an island. Designer Gary Lacy says that construction is set to
<br /> project, to be ready in 2003, is the improvement of the old slalom begin on July I.
<br /> www.paddlermagazine.com • 55
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