City Government

04-20-2006 05:17 PM

Whitewater park goes down for the last time
Grants Pass City Council says the idea is dead

By TIM BURLESON

GRANTS PASS, OR - The concept of a whitewater park on the Rogue River in Grants Pass has floundered.

The whitewater park was discussed recently at a Monday workshop meeting of the Grants Pass City Council on March 27, 2006. At that time, Phil Paquin, Council President, brought up the idea and queried the Council regarding possible further action. The Councilors in attendance indicated they were not interested in considering the idea any further. "It looks like the whitewater park is dead," Paquin said.

Councilors Paquin, Robert Keith, Jack Patterson, DonnaJean Wendle, Tim Cummings and Kris Woodburn were in attendance at the meeting. Councilors Jeff Hyde and Brian Thompson were absent.

Back on Sept. 21, 2005, the City Council heard a presentation regarding a proposed whitewater park on the Rogue River near the Debbs Potts bridge and Baker Park. At the time the Council failed to act on a resolution authorizing Laurel Samson, City Manager Pro Tem, to enter into a contract to develop plans and permitting required to support the project at a cost of $20,000. The resolution was pulled from the agenda without a vote. Mayor Len Holzinger and Hyde abstained during this Council action.

A whitewater park generally consists of manmade rock features in a natural stream that are used to create rapids for the purpose of recreation.

Proponents of a whitewater park say that the City would receive an economic benefit from tourism by hosting events like a regional kayaking competition. Detractors of the idea said a whitewater park would cause a negative impact on fisheries and fishing, river navigability, ecological impacts, flooding, and erosion.

Reach reporter Tim Burleson at 761-0195 or tim@grantspassclimate.com

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