Glenwood Springs Kayaking

Glenwood Canyon Kayak Newsletter

Articles:

I. Glenwood Whitewater Park Going Off!!!
II. Glenwood Whitewater Park!!
III. Glenwood Canyon Kayak has moved!!!
IV. Glenwood WWP History

I. Glenwood Whitewater Park Going Off!!

We all knew as we watched the construction machinery digging in the riverbed in January that a new era in Glenwood Springs paddling had begun. The long struggle to create a whitewater feature on the Colorado River had finally been won. But as the construction ended, its machinery pulled at last from the Colorado's waters, few expected our new whitewater park to turn into the epic monster that was revealed at last during the last week as the highly-anticipated runoff took full effect.

Never before have I felt such excitement at a playspot. Maybe its the pent energy from many long years of park deprivation while every other boating town in the state was busily constructing. But the wave is here at last and all the anticipation satisified, for our new wave is beyond expectations.

Tanya Faux dodges a raft @ 18,000 cfs

The word has already begun to spread about Glenwood's new whitewater park, and people are making the trip from far and away to find out for themselves. Though the park's quick surge in popularity has created a parking problem, there are few critics out there who could find much to complain about otherwise. Thanks to Jason Carey for the amazing design and perserverance, Joe Mollica, Andrew McGregor, Davis Ferrar, Chris Vogt, Karen Pryce, Scott and Heather King from the Whitewater Park Committee, and all of the others who helped make this park a reality.

We really have created something special!

PARK INFORMATION:
Offical website- www.GlenwoodWhitewaterPark.org
Picture gallery- view photo gallery
Video clips- view numerous video clips and edited short films
Stephen Wright review- JacksonKayak.com video review

II. Glenwood Whitewater Park Finally In!

After many years of hopeful dreaming and agonizing hard work, the efforts of all involved have finally came to full fruition. As of early March, the track-hoes have been removed from the river and the whitewater park complete.

The completed park consists of a mellow front surf wave on river right (good for flat spins and shallow blunts) and a large hole on river left. Early reports on the hole suggest that it is retentive almost to the point of being sticky, but otherwise deep and good for loops and other advanced tricks. The park was desinged for an optimum level of between around 2,000 and 3,000 cfs so we'll see how additional flow changes the feature's character.

For all those who have been involved in this project we cannot express our gratitude enough for your help and aid. Now we can all enjoy the fruits of our labor, and begin to work on a fledgling event hopefully this fall and to push through phase two which will include on-shore ammenties such as grass, benches, and other asthetic infrastructure.

For more info check out the official whitewater park website: www.Glenwoodwhitewaterpark.org

Construction on the whitewater park in Feb 2008

Check out the video produced by Fred Norquist of early WWP action

III. Glenwood Canyon Kayak Has Moved!!

     After being located in downtown Glenwood Springs for nearly seven years, Glenwood Canyon Kayak has moved to West Glenwood. The decision to move was a difficult one, but was motivated by an opportunity to purchase our operating space, and also to be close to the future Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park (see related artice).
     Our new location is in the Midland Center, on Midland Ave. (the bypass) just west of the Glenoowd Meadows Shopping Center, inbetween Sopris Lighting and the Glenwood Dance Academy.

     Please contact us if you have any question! (970) 928-9949

IV. Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park History

For more information on the Glenwood Springs Whtiewater Park, please visit; www.GlenwoodWhitewaterPark.org

The City of Glenwood Springs has long been trying to build a whitewater park on the Colorado River. The park, when completed, would be the first whitewater park to built on the entire length of the mighty Colorado River. For nearly seven years, residents and government officials have worked together with other special interest groups to determine the best location for the proposed structure.

In early 2006, Glenwood Springs City Council formed an official ad hoc committee place in charge with seeing project through to the finish. Council also supplied civil engineers and whitewater park specialist Jason Carey of RiverRestoration.org with funding to complete the survey and design phase of the project. After a summer of design work with the aid of the ad hoc "steering committee," Jason presented his design idea to Glenwood City Council on August 3^rd 2006. Council unanimously approved additional funding to see the committee and designers through the next phase, which includes seeking a Great Outdoors Colorado (GoCo) Grant, obtaining an Army 404 permit, and other permitting processes necessary to make a project like this happen. The designers and committee hope to begin construction in February of 2008.

On September 21, 2006 Glenwood Springs held a public hearing to gather input about the proposed 2007 budget. One of the additions from the 2006 budget, was the inclusion of $300,000 to finance the construction of a whitewater park. The budget has to be officially approved in October 2006.

UPDATE: In Februrary 2007, Garfield County Board of Commissioners voted to give the whitewater park project $100,000, putting the committee very close to its goal. These generous contributions, along with private donations from the Hot Springs Pool, Alipine Bank, and others, should be enough for us to begin the project next winter.

UPDATE: In August 2007, Glenwood Springs City Council decided to fully fund the remaining balance for the first phase of the whitewater park. Construction should begin on schedule during the winter of 2007/2008. A happy day for all who have worked tirelessly on this project and all those who are excited to utilize the park's numerous benefits!!

Currently, the Whitewater Park Committee is seeking volunteers to help with fundraising activities, and other items that need to be addressed before construction begins next winter. For more information on how you can help, please refer to the Whitewater Park website contact page: http://www.glenwoodwhitewaterpark.org/how_to_help.html

The Whitewater Park committee is looking for help. Anybody who is interested in helping please contact Brian at Glenwood Canyon Kayak, (970) 928-9949. Any letters of support and private donations are welcome. Please ask to see how you can help this project get built.

Letters of support can be emailed here: GCKparksupport@hotmail.com

Or sent to:

Attn: Park Support

PO Box 21

Glenwood Springs, Co

81602



	Glenwood Canyon Kayak Newsletter Articles: I. Glenwood Whitewater Park Going Off!!! II. Glenwood Whitewater Park!! III. Glenwood Canyon Kayak has moved!!! IV. Glenwood WWP History I. Glenwood Whitewater Park Going Off!! We all knew as we watched the construction machinery digging in the riverbed in January that a new era in Glenwood Springs paddling had begun. The long struggle to create a whitewater feature on the Colorado River had finally been won. But as the construction ended, its machinery pulled at last from the Colorado's waters, few expected our new whitewater park to turn into the epic monster that was revealed at last during the last week as the highly-anticipated runoff took full effect. Never before have I felt such excitement at a playspot. Maybe its the pent energy from many long years of park deprivation while every other boating town in the state was busily constructing. But the wave is here at last and all the anticipation satisified, for our new wave is beyond expectations. Tanya Faux dodges a raft @ 18,000 cfs The word has already begun to spread about Glenwood's new whitewater park, and people are making the trip from far and away to find out for themselves. Though the park's quick surge in popularity has created a parking problem, there are few critics out there who could find much to complain about otherwise. Thanks to Jason Carey for the amazing design and perserverance, Joe Mollica, Andrew McGregor, Davis Ferrar, Chris Vogt, Karen Pryce, Scott and Heather King from the Whitewater Park Committee, and all of the others who helped make this park a reality. We really have created something special! PARK INFORMATION: Offical website- www.GlenwoodWhitewaterPark.org Picture gallery- view photo gallery Video clips- view numerous video clips and edited short films Stephen Wright review- JacksonKayak.com video review II. Glenwood Whitewater Park Finally In! After many years of hopeful dreaming and agonizing hard work, the efforts of all involved have finally came to full fruition. As of early March, the track-hoes have been removed from the river and the whitewater park complete. The completed park consists of a mellow front surf wave on river right (good for flat spins and shallow blunts) and a large hole on river left. Early reports on the hole suggest that it is retentive almost to the point of being sticky, but otherwise deep and good for loops and other advanced tricks. The park was desinged for an optimum level of between around 2,000 and 3,000 cfs so we'll see how additional flow changes the feature's character. For all those who have been involved in this project we cannot express our gratitude enough for your help and aid. Now we can all enjoy the fruits of our labor, and begin to work on a fledgling event hopefully this fall and to push through phase two which will include on-shore ammenties such as grass, benches, and other asthetic infrastructure. For more info check out the official whitewater park website: www.Glenwoodwhitewaterpark.org Construction on the whitewater park in Feb 2008 Check out the video produced by Fred Norquist of early WWP action III. Glenwood Canyon Kayak Has Moved!! After being located in downtown Glenwood Springs for nearly seven years, Glenwood Canyon Kayak has moved to West Glenwood. The decision to move was a difficult one, but was motivated by an opportunity to purchase our operating space, and also to be close to the future Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park (see related artice). Our new location is in the Midland Center, on Midland Ave. (the bypass) just west of the Glenoowd Meadows Shopping Center, inbetween Sopris Lighting and the Glenwood Dance Academy. Please contact us if you have any question! (970) 928-9949 IV. Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park History For more information on the Glenwood Springs Whtiewater Park, please visit; www.GlenwoodWhitewaterPark.org The City of Glenwood Springs has long been trying to build a whitewater park on the Colorado River. The park, when completed, would be the first whitewater park to built on the entire length of the mighty Colorado River. For nearly seven years, residents and government officials have worked together with other special interest groups to determine the best location for the proposed structure. In early 2006, Glenwood Springs City Council formed an official ad hoc committee place in charge with seeing project through to the finish. Council also supplied civil engineers and whitewater park specialist Jason Carey of RiverRestoration.org with funding to complete the survey and design phase of the project. After a summer of design work with the aid of the ad hoc "steering committee," Jason presented his design idea to Glenwood City Council on August 3^rd 2006. Council unanimously approved additional funding to see the committee and designers through the next phase, which includes seeking a Great Outdoors Colorado (GoCo) Grant, obtaining an Army 404 permit, and other permitting processes necessary to make a project like this happen. The designers and committee hope to begin construction in February of 2008. On September 21, 2006 Glenwood Springs held a public hearing to gather input about the proposed 2007 budget. One of the additions from the 2006 budget, was the inclusion of $300,000 to finance the construction of a whitewater park. The budget has to be officially approved in October 2006. UPDATE: In Februrary 2007, Garfield County Board of Commissioners voted to give the whitewater park project $100,000, putting the committee very close to its goal. These generous contributions, along with private donations from the Hot Springs Pool, Alipine Bank, and others, should be enough for us to begin the project next winter. UPDATE: In August 2007, Glenwood Springs City Council decided to fully fund the remaining balance for the first phase of the whitewater park. Construction should begin on schedule during the winter of 2007/2008. A happy day for all who have worked tirelessly on this project and all those who are excited to utilize the park's numerous benefits!! Currently, the Whitewater Park Committee is seeking volunteers to help with fundraising activities, and other items that need to be addressed before construction begins next winter. For more information on how you can help, please refer to the Whitewater Park website contact page: http://www.glenwoodwhitewaterpark.org/how_to_help.html The Whitewater Park committee is looking for help. Anybody who is interested in helping please contact Brian at Glenwood Canyon Kayak, (970) 928-9949. Any letters of support and private donations are welcome. Please ask to see how you can help this project get built. Letters of support can be emailed here: GCKparksupport@hotmail.com Or sent to: Attn: Park Support PO Box 21 Glenwood Springs, Co 81602
Glenwood Canyon KayakLocal 970-928-9949Toll Free 1-866-GWKayak 100 Midland Ave Suite 240 Glenwood Springs, Co 81601

Glenwood Canyon KayakLocal 970-928-9949Toll Free 1-866-GWKayak