Well over 100 people turned out to learn how they can help shape the potential expansion of LeClaire Park. This meeting was just the public kickoff, but hopefully all of these people and more will be back this Saturday and next Tuesday for the first 2 actual input meetings. I'll be out of town Saturday, but I'm definitely going to be there Tuesday evening.Here's the QCTimes article about last night's kickoff,
and here's the QCOnline article. They're both good.
Personally I don't have a ton of great ideas for LeClaire Park, although I'm definitely in favor of a more obvious place to rent bikes, and possibly even a small bike shop. I'd also like to see some sort of waterfront restaurant down there, although I don't know if I can see it attached to the Skybridge as some have mentioned. I generally lean away from the idea of an extravagantly designed pier, because I think it will kind of clash or visually compete with the Skybridge. The Levee Inn also needs to be resurrected. None of these are original ideas, so I'm hoping to come up with something of my own before Tuesday's meeting. There are a lot of other things I'd like to see on our riverfront, but maybe not in this stretch of it, such as kayak/boat rental, an observation tower, or maybe a fancy pier other than on Main Street.
Any of you blog readers have the perfect recipe for LeClaire Park?
If so, post it here, but also submit it on the city's site here.
11 comments:
I was going to make the meeting, but my truck wouldn't start. First time it happened, but we found the problem and will be ready next time. Sounds like I missed a good one.
If it doesn't run, chrome it! (Just kidding)
Isn't the current too strong for light watercraft? Will the fire department be spending a lot of time on water rescue?
I'm not a boater except for some lake kayaking (but I'd like to be) but I would suspect that its too choppy and the current is too strong right below the dam. I would think that down by Credit Island would be a better place to rent a kayak or canoe.
Hey, you're below the dam! Just go with the current and everything is fine.
Then we can just send a semi down to Buffalo every day to pick up all the kayaks that couldn't make it back upstream.
Isn't that how they move canoes upstream when you do river tours anyway?
That's true, that's definitely what they do for whitewater rafting and such.
Whatever you do, DON'T read the QCTimes.comments. Actually, once I hit a couple positive ones, I stopped reading. If people can't be positive about our riverfront, what CAN they be positive about?
An observation tower is not a terrible idea, but not so close to the skybridge. I also agree a pier would be neat, but a less subdued one so close to the skybridge.
I would think light watercraft would do better someplace down by Credit Island. The Lake Davenport area of the river would be tough .... they have to use lifts to lower sail boats into the water.
This may have been brought up already but how about wireless internet capabilities along the park area? Maybe some small round tables with umbrellas, scattered so that one could have a bit of privacy yet large enough for four. Sitting down on the riverfront typing and surfing...cool!
Post a Comment