Wave of Honor

Here are more parks cropping up around the states and the people who support them:

Sacandaga River, New York: Roughly $140,000 has been raised to build the first of two sites for the Sacandaga Whitewater Park. After realizing that $25,000 acquired from a hydro-relicensing settlement left him far short of his needs, project mentor John Duncan negotiated with the utility for other funds established by the FERC license. The town of Hadley, the Sacandaga Outdoor Center, and private sources have also contributed to the project.

Adventure Sports Center International, Maryland: This 580-acre park for outdoor recreation will be one of the country’s whitewater-park-based venues that will feature self-contained rapids and will be surrounded by trails for hiking, climbing, mountain biking and, during winter months, Nordic skiing. ASCI has been built with state, county, and regional economic development gifts to nurture tourism-based development in its rural western end. The completed site will include the whitewater courses, trails, yurt camping, the International Whitewater Hall of Fame, a county recreation center, and the hub for the burgeoning Adventure Sports Institute at nearby Garrett College.

US National Whitewater Training Center, North Carolina: This “Super Park” will be open this summer thanks to 307 acres donated by local county parks & recreation and a $15 million loan from seven major banks. Foundations and local banks also gave the park a $10 million loan, a portion of which has been guaranteed by local governments as well as state and federal grants.

Other 2006 Course Installations
Bear River, Wyoming: The Business Ready Communities state grant program is providing half of the required $821,700 for the project. The city of Evanston has committed both $139,977 and 5,000 tons of rock (worth $223,500). Additional funds will come from The BEAR Project, Inc., a non-profit partner in the city’s Bear River redevelopment effort ($20,000); the Bear River Outdoor Recreation Alliance (BRORA), another local non-profit ($1,000); and PacifiCorp ($2,000).

Blue River, Colorado: The city of Frisco is contributing $75,000 to the park, and the city of Silverthorne is providing $200,000 to 250,000.

Eagle River, Colorado: The town of Avon will contribute $250,000 to this project.

Ouachita River, Arkansas: The Ouachita River Commission is funding nearly half of the $100,000 to 125,000 needed for the project. Entergy/AGFC/ADEQ, the Arkansas Canoe Club and the Park Commission are also contributing to this ledge modification.

San Marcos River, Texas: The city of San Marcos is contributing $450,000.

Facelifts and enhancements: Projects to enlarge successful courses and improve features are scheduled in Buena Vista, Lyons, Salida, and Vail, Colorado.