Kayakers Unite!

Kayak Park on the Rock River?

The following is part of a string about the possibility of a kayak course similar to East Gate at South Bend.  (The source was: http://www.bsbs.org/messageboard/viewtopic.php?t=800  )

If you have the time, think about sending off a note to support such a project. 

On November 13, 2005, the appeal below was received from the Illinois Paddling Council, which has been in contact with the River District Association of Rockford (http://www.riverdistrict.com/about.htm), whose mission is to re-develop the River District neighborhood of Rockford.

Rob certainly makes points worth considering in his posts, but perhaps there can still be rational arguments for some sort of dam improvements - perhaps sans playhole so as to not entice a face-full of algae - that would be of some benefit to the midwestern paddling scene. Please read the appeal below, and write a letter if so inclined.

Erik Sprenne
Advocacy Chair
Chicago Whitewater Association


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November 14, 2005
To all Illinois Paddling Clubs, and others interested in a potential
whitewater park in Rockford

IPC has been asked to contact the paddling community to solicit support
for a potential whitewater park in Rockford. Please send your letters to:

Mayor Larry Morrissey
City Hall
425 East State Street
Rockford, IL 61104

Alderman Doug Mark
City Hall
425 East State Street
Rockford, IL 61104

Editor
Rockford Register Star
99 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61104

Steven Moore, President
River District Association
P.O. Box 4331
Rockford, IL 61110

Please keep your letters positive, stating that a well designed and
operated white water course would draw a large number of paddling
enthusiasts to Rockford. If you are paddling whitewater, perhaps you
could also include a summary of your paddling activities this year (#
trips, location, etc.) to show, that indeed, such a venue would attract
paddlers.

You can find an editorial in this Sunday's Register Star which seems to
imply that there is not a wide range of appeal for such a development
(see further below for text of editorial). Therefore, please send your
letters of support to the individuals listed above as well as forward
this notice to anyone else you believe would be interested in such a
paddling venue.

If you would like to remain informed on future developments and/or would
like to assist as may be required, please send an email to
sigpilgr@comcast.net and I will be sure to keep you updated.

Thank you for any support you can give to this exciting opportunity to
increase whitewater paddling education, instruction, recreation and
competition in our area.

Sigrid Pilgrim
President, IPC