No, I didn't yell at the kitchen lady or any of the other dog people yet. Not yet.
Yesterday we got some bad news that the dog-people will be taking over part of RRCC and fencing it in as a dog run. Obviously, this means that cyclocross and cross country running and soccer and all of the other activities at this multi-use facility will be moved so that dogs can crap there.
The google map shows the area they are taking. Its not all of the course we use, but it takes a lot of it.
Public outcry was more subtle than expected. A few folks tried to posit alternatives. This was received w mixed reviews. I can explain why. So many of us, many far more than me, have put a lot of time, effort and thought into making RRCC a great place for cross. Is it the ultimate? Of course not. But it was damn good. I know that the guys leading the kidscross efforts are upset not just because they lost something, but because this is where they spent time with their kids. That's time well spent, outside, no video games.
I've been told that it is official and I've been told that its not. Noone seems to have a solid answer yet.
The dog-people begin selling permits to use the place Nov 30th, so they feel pretty confident.
So what do we do? Fight or flight?
Bobrow intimated on the message boards this morning(can you intimate on a msg board? Really) that an alternative is in the works.
That's good news unless it means driving to go ride your bike. We need something and we've been spoiled to have what we have,something where we are welcomed and are comfortable.
Zack's idea was to go more covert and find new places and see what options we are overlooking currently. I like that idea as well. Sometimes new is better, but losing what we have is still going to suck. Maybe we'll find someplace that's equally accessable that has technical features we haven't even thought of. Could be.
I'd like to put effort into that. Hell, it'll be fun trying even if we get chased out of a few places(poss moreso if we do, god knows its been a long time since I've been hassled by the man)
We could also find new areas on the current property. A community effort and possibly that could work.
I'm not trying to go "chicken little", but we can't just wait until the fenceposts go in to come up with an alternative.
I don't have closure for you on this. If you have ideas, nows a good time. And try not to piss on the folks who are down about this.
Key word is "try"
defined as:
RSS FEED: Subscribe To Love the Pain via your Blog Reader
Posts
Comments
4 comments:
I didn't find out until late last night but I spent most of my morning at my office expressing my vehement opposition via email. Greg actually got to talk with someone at metro parks late today. He learned that the cross country folks have been "at the table" all along to sign off on the plan but the cx community hasn't been there & didn't know the talks were going on apparently? I found the map that was issued after public forums & comments two years ago and the dog park is located on the River Rd side in the center with a new parking lot beside it. I figure metro gov't doesn't want to build the parking lot so they'll let the dog folks have what they want near the current parking area cause supposedly they'll generate revenue with their permit sales. What I tried to point out in my email tirade is that the USGP alone had to have put more money into the L'ville community than a $15 or $20 permit. Heck, we hosted 2 pros & their family members who came town and probably put a couple of thousand all together into local business establishments! I keep wondering why metro parks is able to completely change the plans without any further public forums? The proposed cx area down River Rd is gone too, bought by someone willing to pay for it. So cx is left with no designated area. Greg made the point with Mr. Cissell at Metro Parks that if you look at the Dog Park Asso, cross country, and cyclocross...who has been able to bring in a national event to Champions Park. The answer is obvious. I say we fight, stage a bike in, yell and scream, and talk to that reporter who wrote all of those nice stories during the USGP!!
Sounds like we have a lot of conflicting stories going on here. Scott Renders email earlier stated that there is a space secured for us. Scary that your calls turn up that that area has been sold.
I agree that we need to be lobbying, calling, doing whatever we can. I don't think we can really trust the politicians(as usual) but we need to have something, now that they are taking away all that we have.
Keep us in the loop as phone calls and emails dig up more answers.
Just to clarify. There is NO space secured for us and even if there was, it will require substantial work that the city is unlikely (and probably unable given their budgetary issues) to fund.
I've been talking to some of the key insiders in the CX community and let me just say that we have been kneecapped here - plain and simple.
I am hopeful something can be worked out but the alternatives that I have heard of are not serious alternatives.
I just have so many questions:
- Why take the premium part of the park for dogs?
- Why will dog owners pay a fee for something they have received for free for many years? Won't they just start using other parts of the park?
- Why weren't CX people at the table? I know for a fact that some folks do not get invited to meetings.
- Why turn your back on a community that is bringing money to the city?
I urge everyone to reach out to everyone they know who might help. Be polite. Be positive. Be cooperative. Be rational. Be active.
Amen, ditto and you go girl to brother Seiler. I agree with all of it and can only add that you know you can't take a politician at their word. Believe it when you see it but work to make it happen.
Be polite, but be persistent.
This act of aggression can not stand.
Great now we've got Bush quotes that make sense.
Fabulous.
Post a Comment