Recordpub.com - Kent to get funding for kayak, canoe park: State gives tentative OK for $250,000

By Colin McEwen

Record-Courier staff writer

The city of Kent was tentatively approved for a $250,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources on Monday to host a canoe and kayak staging ground along the banks of the Cuyahoga River.

The project is expected to receive final approval next week from the State Controlling Board.

Kent Parks and Recreation Department Director John Idone said while he has not received official word from Columbus, he is optimistic about the process moving forward.

He said the city will contribute $42,000, bringing the total project to about $292,000 in funding.

Plans for the six-acre city park north of the downtown area, near the River Bend subdivision, would be developed to include a canoe and kayak launching ramp providing additional access to the river, as well as a 20-car parking lot. Steps would be installed leading to the river’s edge, along with a rail to guide kayaks and canoes to the shore.

“Because the plan is conceptual, once we get the funding we’ll go forward with a detailed design process,” he said. “The community has overwhelmingly supported this.”

Idone said there has been some concern expressed from River Bend residents, and he hopes to meet with neighbors to discuss the plans.

He said — should the final step be approved Monday — plans will begin this fall, and completion of the river access would be sometime in the summer of 2010.

The ODNR approved 10 agencies around the state for similar projects for a total of $1,633,403. Kent was approved for the second largest amount of funding in the state for boating facility grants, next to the Medina County Parks District to build a boat launch at Chippewa Lake for $439,000.

In 2008, the city of Kent sought $1.5 million from the program to construct a whitewater park downtown in and along the Cuyahoga River, but that request was denied.

Councilman Rick Hawksley praised the efforts of the parks department for its work on the project.

“The river is our greatest asset,” he said. “Given the interest we had in the Black Squirrel Triathlon, this is another step in developing the asset that is uniquely Kent. To bring people to the river recreationally is just wonderful.”

He said the city was not discouraged when it did not receive the funds for the $1.5 million project last year. Instead, he said the city may still consider the project as a whole, but break it into “small chunks.”

“We know it’s a great project,” he said. “You have to go for what you can get.

“This is good for economy, good for quality of life for the city, and will attract young people — which is what every city wants.”

18.	Posted by Airbo September 25, 2009
	"The "River Bend Canoe/Kayak Launch" will destroy the current green space and put in its place a twenty car lighted parking lot." Jim, if the true issue is to save green space, the building of new houses on River Bend should stop immediately and stop selling plots of land, and people could look into the MANY fine houses already for sale in Kent. Also, I don't think most people know that there is river access at River Bend. Most people drive by the road because most new housing developments are dead end roads leading to nowhere. Maybe if it was better "advertised", a 20 car parking lot could get filled up on weekends and/or holidays. Just a thought. "Is it really necessary to spend $125,000 to destroy the only public green space in River Bend? " We could always bulldoze some of the cookie cutter houses and put in a community garden... What exactly would you like Kent to do for you?

17.	Posted by Jim1986 September 25, 2009
	This grant is not for a kayak/canoe park. This grant is from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Department of Watercraft and is a Cooperative Boating Facility Grant. About half of this grant money is designated for the "River Bend Canoe/Kayak Launch". The "River Bend Canoe/Kayak Launch" will destroy the current green space and put in its place a twenty car lighted parking lot. In the article Mr. Idone states "The community has overwhelmingly supported this". In his grant application to destroy the green space and replace it with a twenty car parking lot Mr. Idone included twenty-five emails supporting the project. Of the twenty-five email exhibits endorsing how "The community has overwhelmingly supported this" only one is from a person claiming Kent residency. Since this individual's email states "will use and support if I'm in the area" I question if he really is a current Kent resident. The remainder of the emails endorsing how "The community has overwhelmingly supported this" are from non-residents including several from out of state. Most of the emails contain the same phrase - "will use and support if I'm in the area" Hmmm? Sound fishy? Currently at this location, there is off street parking for 6 -8 cars and it is about one hundred fifty steps from this parking area to the river where kayaks and canoes are currently easily launched. Usually there are no cars parked at the current off street parking. Once in a while there will be a couple of cars parked at the current off street parking. Is it really necessary to spend $125,000 to destroy the only public green space in River Bend?

13.	Posted by Zippster September 22, 2009
	One more negative point, then I'll hush ;) - the previous plans were a kayak/canoe livery service/business, while this sounds more of a DIY system. Given that our society has become more and more litigous, will allowing easier access to the river for water sports open the city for injury lawsuits? And also, is the fire department ready for the increase in possible water rescues? I've done canoeing in SW Ohio, and recall having to sign a wavier at the livery stating that the company wasn't responsible for injury sustained while out on one of their boats. Will simply having a 'Do this at your own risk' sign at the entry point of the river be enough to keep lowlife personal injury lawyers at bay? I'd hate to see Kent slapped with a huge fine/settlement because some fool got themselves injured or killed out there.

9.	Posted by Airbo September 22, 2009
	This is exciting! There are a lot more kayak/canoe/river enthusiasts out there then you think! And what better to do after a little session in the water than to pop into one of Kent's many locally owned and operated eateries? It will be nice to see people enjoying a river that was once so nasty, you wouldn't to step one foot in it! And remember, most KSU kids leave in the summer, when most of the kayaking/canoeing will be done, so freaking out about drunken kids getting into the water is a bit silly (I worry more about them on the roads). With that thought, why not moan that Kent has too many bars for the KSU kids to get wasted at then hop into their vehicles? Kent is THANKFULLY expanding and trying to think out of the big box (unlike Streetsboro and what Brimfield is doing). This is just another thing that adds to Kent's CHARM. I say, bring it on! The hike and bike path has been AWESOME! I'm so glad I live here! GO KENT! :)