I told her we would prefer to remain were we were becuase that would proved some distance between us and others using the area, It also places us away from the turbulant wind created by the trees. I mentioned our kite line lengths and how much from we would prefer to have and how wonderful it would be to have a kite only area for the saftey of others and us. And that we preferd mowed grass to pump up and launch from, As well as signs that explain what we are doing and were we are launching and landing from. to educate others and "place a claim " on the kiter area so to aviod conflicts with other users of the park. The DNR was very interested in how they could "cater" to kiters since we have been the only users of this location. Dawn made it very clear that they see the lose of income when there are 30 cars at BWB and only 10 and Island beach some days. They would like to improve the area and make money from the kiters.
Dawn also told me that the property we are on Is PUBLIC property, the Farmer who has been collecting the hay has been doing so with out permission,even though he has placed rules about our usage he has no rights to do so and the DNR is contacting him to let him know what our rights there are, and that they are aware that he has been illigally collecting hay from public property, the neighbor Bart also has no say what goes on there even though he has mentioned he Leases the property, Dawn said this is not true. The land is part of the state parks property zoned as public land to provide public access to the water. Dawn was very Clear that we are welcome to continue to use the public property, with out any fee intill the park is finished then we will have to pay the fee for use. The DNR has been out there several time throughout the summer and is pleased with how neat and clean we have been this was a huge deal that proved what a responsible group we all are and why we should be involed in the planing process of a kite friendly park!!!. She also told me we are allowed to drink on the property, and if some one was interested in teaching on the property there is a process and fee that need to be followed as well as a percentage that will get paid to the state for making money on the lake. Currently the marina hold the rights to all recreation on the lake and would need to approve some on else teaching and may even want a cut and or to create lesson programs of their own.
The DNR is pleased we are there and Dawn assured me several times we will have no access issues, there is no chance of us losing the site as a kite launch, and the state is going to provide kite spacific improvents at this location to establish it as a Kite Beach, this may even become the name of the location. She understands that Kiting is a valid form of sailing and just as with boating says the responsibilty for any persons actions lie with the person and not the community. They see us as wind surfers and we are expected to follow the same rules just as we always have. There is no reason to "introduce" other radical ideas about how to maintain kiters becuase the state has no issues with kiters being any different then any other sailing vessal. We do not need to create any issues, but only establish this launch as a protected kiters area that will remain there forever!
This is huge news and I thank all of the kiters that have been instramental in maintaing and policing this spot. The improvemnts may be a couple of years out but the DNR has our website info and will invole the community to make these improvements. Dawn has my contact info and as always I welcome the oppurtunity to represent the community during this exciting process. I currently hope the regular kiters at this spot will brainstorm ideas and we will then share them with the community. This project is still a couple of years out and we will have plenty of time to discuss ideas. For now lets celebrate this amazing news. I would like to confer with the regular users of the beach and place a group together to represent the entire communitys ideas at a later point.
Billy
