Richardson Flat Update

[Ralph Morrison]

I finally got through to Kerry Gee. Unfortunatly the news isn't good. He said they don't want anybody out there this year. After talking with him for awhile it boiled down to two major issues, staying off the remediated areas and liability. I brought up how they allow mountain biking on their other properties and he claimed that occured on land they leased to other entities and they dealt with liability issues themselves. In the end he said he would accept a written proposal from us as to what we can offer them to address their issues. I asked him if keeping us out of there was his decision and he said the decision came from above. Also if we submit a proposal he will send that up for a decision. I think the best thing would be to deal directly with the decision makers. Probably someone higher up in Talisker. So let's hear some thoughts and ideas. Or who you know in Talisker.

[lesvierra]

I think the best thing would be to deal directly with the decision makers. Probably someone higher up in Talisker.

Ralph, I think you're on to something. I didnt go back in the forum to see who kerry is, but I would see if you and Kerri could set something up with someone higher up. A proposal sounds great, but a meeting with the "higher up" could help ensure that the proposal is addressing the right concerns. Also, it would be worth the time to develop a relationship with the "right" person. I'd say go for it, doing something and trying is better than doing nothing. If it is ok with UWA, I'd say do it on UWA's behalf, which I think I'm reading it's ok for you to do this on this forum.

[JimSouthwick]

Way to go, Ralph! Maybe there's hope after all. In the meantime, let's not blow it by continuing to ride there in defiance of the signs. The Talisker executives are not going to want anything to do with people they see as outlaws.

[Mark Johnson]

Good job Ralph! I hope they continue to work with us and see the fact that what we do there is the best use found so far for there piece of crap land that was ruined in the past from landowners like themselves! I still think that should they stall in woking out the legallities that some will get to the point where they will ride there legal or not. Like they say when you OUTLAW snowkiting only OUTLAWS will snowkite!
Lets not blow it. Lets be blown by it!

[tjacques]

nice job ralph. I would say making a proposal to the higher ups is the way to go. Getting the UWA involved has to be a good way to go, there are some smart intelligent people in our group that could help see this problem through. we should start preparing for other fights as well; rush, south sandy, lincoln, possibly DC.
Once again I agree with jim. stay off. kite somewhere else. if you kite there you will ruin this forever, foreveryone!!!!!!!!!!!!! show some respect.

[Kenny]

Staying off the remediated areas should not be difficult to handle. Liability could be much more sticky. If Talisker would accept waivers of liability, that would be ideal. However, I see little incentive for Talisker to accept the waivers alone. It is a lot easier to just call the local sheriff when they see a trespasser. I don't know why some of you are so worried about one kiter blowing it for everyone else, this forum does not reach all kiters that may go there. Someone is going to try it, but kiters are like sitting ducks when it comes to trespassing at Richardson's. You have to park a car and then ride downwind for the goods, so if the sheriff came out, how would you escape?

What can we do to convince Talisker that they should work with us, rather than just turn us in for trespassing? We could offer to pick up trash on their land, fix fences, that sort of thing.

Is there anyone else in the Park City community that will miss using that land? I have seen cross-country skiers and people walking their dogs.

Perhaps, there is someone in the PC city council that may be interested in helping us with this issue? We can use all the help we can get on this one.

[Kevin Dobson]

There is a cool 2 page spread in the winter/spring 2009 Park City Magazine on snowkiting that just was just mailed out to local residents. It's about 20 pgs from the back, looks like a picture from kiteX on Bosco's Hill but seems like great publicity for us. " Keep your eyes open on Park City's fields and meadows on breezy days." and "Yet another way to enjoy Park City's winter landscape" highlight the small story. Thought this might be a good thing to bring up with Talisker.

[whit]

Great Job Ralph!!!! I know you have put a lot of time into this. Unfortunately, it looks like more time and effort will be needed. With a group effort, hopefully we can arrive at a resolution. It is #1 on the Mission Statement.

UWA Mission:
* Preserve access to quality, public sailing/riding sites
* Promote stoke for windsurfing, kiteboarding, and snowkiting locally through events, video adrenalin, camaraderie, and uninhibited web posting
* Help newcomers get started, safely
* Keep the windriding community connected and safe mainly with this web site
* Save Rush!

[Ralph Morrison]

Hey, thanks for the responses guys! Like Whit said, it should be a group effort.

If Talisker would accept waivers of liability, that would be ideal.
We could offer to pick up trash on their land, fix fences, that sort of thing.

These are my first thoughts as well. Offer them liability waivers from UWA members and anyone else willing to sign. Offer to demarcate the remediated area. Make some 'keep off' signs and spread some bamboo or painted 2x2s. Keep the place free from trash. Portray ourselves as a group that watches out for each other and doesn't tolerate anything destructive or dangerous.

Kevin's idea is on the right track on how we sell it. Talisker is in the resort business. Anything that brings people to town and makes the town more colorful and interesting is good for their business. Do any of you guys have any pictures of kiters at Richardson? Aside from looking cool, a picture would also play on the fact that we've been riding out there for years without an incident.

Things that need to happen;

Finding the right person to deal with in Talisker.

Coming up with a liability waiver.

Putting together a proposal that looks good.

Thanks again guys!
Keep the ideas coming.

[Jason Klein]

The following release was posted by someone on kiteforum. They use it when they ask permission to kite on a farmer's property. Could be a starting point for a waiver that would work for us. Word doc attatched, but here's the text:

RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING PERSONAL INJURY


I,________________ , in consideration of the right to participate in outdoor activities on the property of __________________, In _______________,(town)______________(State), do hereby release, acquit, and forever discharge ____________________Hereinafter “Land Owner”., his agents and servants, successors and assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, and all other persons, firms and corporations, of and from any and all actions, causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, loss of service, expenses and compensation, which I now have, or may hereafter have, on account of, or arising out of my participation in outdoor recreational activities on the property of Land Owner.

I hereby declare and represent that any injuries sustained by me on the property of Land Owner shall be the responsibility of myself and further declare that I understand that certain outdoor activities may result in serious injury or death. I also release Land Owner from any duty of care to make the property of Land Owner safe and specifically agree that I am assuming all risks of injury or death while on the property of Land Owner. Land Owner shall have no duty to make safe, warn or protect me from dangers known or unknown, seen or unseen on the property of Land Owner. Land Owner shall have no duty to warn or protect me from any animals that may be on the property.

I understand that I am considered a guest on the property of Land Owner and shall take the upmost care to keep the property in the same condition that I find it. All of my actions on the property are taken at my sole risk and expense. I further agree to defend and indemnify Land Owner harmless from any liability resulting from my use of the property of Land Owner.

This release shall extend to any of my heirs, assigns, family or agents all of whom are expressly forbidden from filing any action against Land Owner for any action of Negligence on the part of the Land Owner. This release does not extend to any intentional tort committed against myself while on the property of Land Owner.

I further declare and represent that no promise or agreement not herein expressed has been made to me, and that this release contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto, and that the terms of this release are contractual, and not a mere recital.

I further state that I am over twenty-one years of age; that I have carefully read the foregoing release, and know the contents thereof, and that I sign it as my own free act.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal on _______________.


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