Friday, September 8, 2006 8:26 AM EDT
BOB WHITE The Kentucky Standard
While questions arose over parking and possible trashing of the river, an overwhelming amount of support was apparent for the construction of a whitewater park at Beech Fork during a meeting of Bardstown City Council Tuesday night.
About 20 people in support of a proposal to reconstruct a rock dam near the New Haven Road bridge over Beech Fork into a navigable whitewater feature showed up for a formal presentation to City Council Tuesday.
The effort is being spearheaded by members of Bardstown Boaters, a group of paddling enthusiasts based in Bardstown.
With some discussion already having taken place on the possible raising of the rock dam to increase raw water supply for the city’s water treatment operations, Mayor Dixie Hibbs and proponents of the whitewater park feel it’s possible to incorporate the water feature into the dam-raising project.
Hibbs said she would consult water plant officials on specifics relating to the volumes of water for plant operations, but noted a need for increased supply in the near future.
“We’re pumping about 50-percent of our water from the Beech Fork,” Hibbs said.
The river has the potential to supply ample amounts of water if dammed correctly, since the river drains about 600 square miles of upstream watershed, she said.
Hibbs voiced her support for the proposal and practicality of the dam’s reconstruction.
“If we were to increase the dam one or two feet, then this redesign could be done for the safety of boating, accomplishing two things - recreation and an increase of water supply,” Hibbs said.
Improving the safety of the river was a key point of the project, according to Bardstown-Nelson County Tourist and Convention Commission vice-president Dawn Ballard.
The dam cannot be navigated safely as is.
“This is something that takes a potential hazard and makes it safe,” Ballard said. “People don’t use (the river) as much as they could.”
The plan, as submitted to City Council by Bardstown Boaters president Spalding Hurst, consists of the construction of a single whitewater feature and two chutes navigable by canoes and kayaks.
“It’s just a single rapid that’s safely navigable,” Hurst said. “The put in and take out would be at the same spot.”
“Play-boaters” could park at the river and practice whitewater paddling techniques at the site, he added.
Two engineering firms experienced in whitewater park construction have expressed an interest in working on the park in Bardstown.
“They described this site as a perfect setup,” Hurst said of engineers’ opinion of the Beech Fork.
Hiring an engineer to visit the site, compile a preliminary plan and estimate is expected to cost about $6,700.
Ballard said various sources of funding were available for the whitewater park’s construction, but thought the project should proceed in steps.
“First we were looking for any huge grievances with the idea,” Ballard said.
While no one at the meeting spoke against the project, one woman questioned if the park could contribute to traffic along the New Haven Road bridge.
Hibbs said it was too early to determine traffic counts for such a park, but said if traffic developed as a result of the park, a traffic light may be necessary for the area.
Hibbs said another person questioned her on the potential of trash accumulating at the river as a result of a whitewater park.
During the meeting, Hibbs made note of the Bardstown Boaters’ efforts in cleaning Beech Fork with the group’s annual Paddle Pickup.
The group completed its second river cleanup this year, removing tons of debris from Nelson County stream banks.
Hurst said during a telephone interview Thursday he appreciated all the comments and questions relating to the park.
“I want people to see that this is a viable option,” Hurst said. “It could be good for tourism and recreation.”
Emphasis of the park’s location has been on the northeast quadrant of the bridge’s crossing of the river. The property is owned by the city.
Without a visit from an engineer experienced in whitewater park construction, Hurst said it was difficult to estimate a cost of the dam’s reconstruction into a whitewater feature.
Bardstown Boaters have begun whitewater park fundraising efforts with a paddling poker run on Beech Fork scheduled for Sept. 30.
Hurst said funds from the poker run would be used to hire an engineer to visit Bardstown and compile draft plans for the park.
“My hope is for us to raise $2,000, tourism to contribute $2,000 and the city to contribute $2,000,” Hurst said, regarding the funding of an engineer’s visit.
More information about the fundraiser can be found at www.bardstownboaters.com.
The report on the whitewater park compiled by Bardstown Boaters can be viewed at the group’s Web site.
Bob White can be reached at 348-9003 Ext. 116 or by e-mail at bwhite@kystandard.com.
