THE BRIGHT SIDE – Lisa Otto
The city council approved kayak launch fees. The west end of Library Park is a hub of activity most of the summer. This end of the park includes the West End Pier, the fishing pier, and area for dogs to swim, an entrance to the shore path, the kayak rack, and people coming and going enjoying all of it or just relaxing in the park and the lake. The area has also become a very popular place to launch kayaks above and beyond those already renting kayak storage space on the rack. This has caused what some believe is congested and inaccessible for some who wish to launch kayaks. The Lake Geneva Harbor Master would like to clean up this launch site for everyone using it.
The idea of charging to launch was suggested to city officials. The launch fee will be $5 a launch and be done on the honor system. Those already renting a spot on the kayak rack would not have to pay to launch. The monies collected (if any) would be put into a separate fund specifically used for improvements to the kayak launch, hopefully creating convenience and accessibility for all. The idea is not supported by everyone, and some feel the city is nickel and diming the public every chance it gets (which it is). If a decent enough amount is collected and used for what it is intended to be used for (unknown, really) it could benefit this area, making things a little more stream-lined, but this all depends on how many participate and actually pay or decide not to and launch from somewhere else on the lake front.
The kayakers complained and were surprised by the result (they themselves have to pay to fix things), but that is the nature of today’s city leadership. All the kayakers can do is wait for the next election. The kayak crowd is a really neat group of boaters that the lake needs more of, not less, and it’s surprising to the staff of the Geneva Shore Report that the leadership does not see it that way.
The GSR was made aware of this Facebook post by ‘Longboat Dave.’
The editorial staff felt it necessary to share what he wrote on that social media site: “I guess this is what happens when you complain to the Mayor and the Harbormaster about an alderperson that doesn’t want to move their car so my 86-year-old friend can put his kayak back on his car at the kayak launch. I was told that the 15-minute parking zone is only for boat slip owners and if I didn’t like it, “call the Harbormaster”. So, I did, and the mayor.”
Editorial note: “Longboat was treated like he should be called ‘little boat.’
