Paddlers’ Poker Run Planned for Saturday

Paddlers’ Poker Run planned for Saturday


Wednesday, September 27, 2006 8:21 AM EDT

BOB WHITE The Kentucky Standard

Funds being raised for whitewater park

Poker runs aren’t just for motorcyclists anymore.

Hoping to fund an engineer’s visit to Beech Fork and a design incorporating a whitewater feature into the rock dam near the New Haven Road bridge, Bardstown Boaters are hosting a paddlers’ poker run Saturday in which participants could win up to $500.

The local paddling club has been the main proponent of a push to convert a stone dam that cannot be safely navigated by canoes and kayaks into a safe chute and play wave for boaters to use.

Following a formal presentation of the concept to Bardstown City Council and some preliminary “homework” done on part of city officials, Assistant City Administrator Larry Green said the next step would be to draft a plan and design for the project.

For that, Bardstown Boaters president Spalding Hurst said an experienced whitewater park engineer would need to visit the site and compile a preliminary plan and cost estimate.

The cost of such a visit is expected to be $6,000-$7,000, depending on the engineering firm chosen.

Cost of constructing whitewater parks throughout the nation have ranged from $140,000 for a park along a stream in Colorado to $25 million for a park not on a river in North Carolina.

Hurst didn’t want to speculate the cost of creating a single wave and navigable chute at the Beech Fork dam. He said he would rely on the engineer to talk numbers to the public.

Green said he has identified a federal grant that could help fund the whitewater park. Additional funding may be available through the state if the city decides to increase the height of the dam to increase its raw water collection pool.

Before seeking grants for the project, Green said some engineering work should be done so a plan could be presented to state and federal stakeholders such as the Division of Water, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

The poker run is an attempt to fund the next step in the process of planning the whitewater park.

The fundraiser will begin noon Saturday at the KY 49 bridge across Beech Fork and will conclude about 5 p.m. at the New Haven Road (U.S. 31E) bridge.

Plans are to have paddlers collect five playing cards at locations along the river. Three of the cards received will be handed to participants by Bardstown Boaters stationed in boats along the route. The best hand at the end of the day wins half the pot collected, or a maximum of $500.

The cost of entering the poker run is $20. Participants are responsible for providing their own boats, canoes, kayaks or other watercraft. Horizon Hoppers Adventure Services will provide canoes and kayaks free of charge to anyone who does not own a boat and wants to participate in the event.

“I wanted to show I give this project my full support,” said Mike Hammons, owner of the Bardstown-based outfitter.

Hammons said no less than a dozen boats would be available at the start of the poker run on a first come, first serve basis.

The event is open to paddlers of all skill levels and food and drinks will be available for purchase at the beginning and end of the poker run.

Hurst said he expects about 50 people to attend, but hopes for more.

For more information on the poker run or the Bardstown Whitewater Park log on to the Bardstown Boater Web site at www.bardstownboaters.com. The club is also taking contributions online for the whitewater park.

Bob White can be reached at 348-9003 Ext. 116 or by e-mail at bwhite@kystandard.com.