Recordpub.com - OUR VIEW: Keep moving forward Whitewater park conceptual plan could return big dividends to Kent

The $20,000 price tag to develop a conceptual plan that could lead to more detailed plans for a proposed downtown Kent whitewater park, depending on clarifications, seems like a small price to pay if it leads to the realization of the park.

Kent Parks and Recreation Director John Idone, sensing this, has already said he will ask his board to approve $5,000 to help pay for the conceptual study. That leaves $15,000 for the city or outside sources to contribute.

Because the Cuyahoga River for so long was stagnant and often smelly during summers in Kent, it may be difficult for some to envision the possibilities. The creation of Heritage Park and alteration of the former dam has changed the situation completely, however. The river has come to life. Freshwater fish are thriving. The water is clean and during many days it flows through Kent in a volume that has already attracted kayak enthusiasts and those into tube floating.

The realization of a whitewater park could do for Kent pretty much what the towpath trail has already done for Peninsula. During warm weather months, it could draw sportsmen and tourists to the downtown, people who would spend their money in Kent and create a festive atmosphere.

The idea is surely worth further exploration. The city appears to have found a competent planner in Recreation Engineering and Planning, the Colorado- based company that apparently has been hired in recent years to help plan the majority of the in-stream whitewater parks in the United States.

Let's keep moving forward!