There is a Game and Fish Commission meeting Monday, April 19th at 1:30 p.m. to
discuss raising the price of the OKC Boat Permit. (This will be at the Will
Rogers Garden Exhibition Center located at NW 36th and I-44.) Please plan to
attend if at all possible.
While, we all realize that our cities are strapped for cash, kayakers already
are hit pretty hard with licensing and other fees despite the fact that no
infrastructure such as sidewalks, boat ramps, etc. are needed to support this
recreation. Raising the fee will serve to further deter paddlesport activity on
our lakes and rivers. Several years back when the City of Oklahoma City
required a $25 permit for bicycles, the citizen spoke up and got this ordinance
revoked. This is your chance to be heard. The only way to speak at the meeting
is to request permission in advance from Jeff Murray in the Parks and Recreation
Department. His email is jeff.murray@… or his phone number is
405.297.2338 (Please be respectful in all your dealings with our city
officials, as their job is not an easy one) Jeff’s response will be that there
are no plans to raise the fee, but it is clearly on the meeting agenda as Item #
5. The Agenda is a public document.
I suggest we encourage participation in recreation by increasing the number of
parks and making it easier for folks to enjoy outdoor activities. We spend
plenty of marketing $$$ trying to convince the world that Oklahoma City is a
progressive town with abundant opportunities for recreation and other things
which add value to our quality of life. Let’s not make it harder for folks to
access our waters.
On another note, another proposal is already being considered for a recreational
paddle trail in Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge. I am all for paddle trails as they
have done great things for recreational paddlesports and economies. My problem
with the current proposal is that it includes signage and docks within the
refuge. I go to Stinchcomb to get away from signs of civilization. Upstream
access to the docks would be provided only to those paying a fee to the local
boathouse. My other issues are the fact that the docks would serve to collect
floating garbage and debris coming down the river. This area floods regularly ,
which would annihilate any signage or other infrastructure. The bank access and
foot traffic would instigate erosion putting more silt in the river. I am in
favor of a paddle trail designation with signage at the put in, a small floating
dock or launch area open to the public just south of the NW 39th street bridge,
and a map of the area with tidbits about the local flora and fauna. This is my
personal opinion.
Sorry for the long post. Just a heads up on both of these items in case your
were not already aware of what is happening.
Respectfully submitted,
Dave Lindo– OKC Kayak 830-9689