Hello, this is John Kangas with the Crow Gliding Area Update for June 6th, 2010. This Update is about our meeting with the City of Boise this last week.
On Friday June 4th, a cordial and productive meeting was held at Boise City Hall. Representing the Idaho Hang Gliding Association was myself and Lisa Tate. As many folks know, Lisa is an active fund raiser for Idaho Hang Gliding who also serves as the President of the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. Representing the City was Jade Riley-Chief of Staff for Mayor Bieter, and Maryanne Jordan-President of the Boise City Council. Also in attendance was Jim Hall-Director of Boise Parks and Recreation.
The meeting began with City Council President Jordon asking us about the historic use of the site, along with questions about our frequency of activity, our season of use, and the number of folks that would use the area on any given day. We brought a number of aerial photographs that facilitated the discussion and enabled the parties to engage in a fluid discussion about the Crow Gliding Area. The discussion remained very positive.
This is one of the photos we shared at the meeting with areas of interest added for this update. One of the key points we stressed at the meeting was the Gliding Area's location near the existing homes and people. Our position has always been that our activity has very low impact. Here at the Crow, our silent activity is also an ideal buffer between the people and cars in the neighborhood, and the prime deer habitat located further away on Hammer Flats. A lot of folks who haven't been out to the Crow Gliding Area, are under the misconception that we are gliding deep into the flats, but this is not the case as we can see from this photo.
During the meeting we were asked about our historic use of the ridge road to access launch. We shared that in over 35 years of gliding at the Crow, some of the previous owners allowed our use of the ridge road while others have asked us to not use it. Most folks that have flown the Crow lately have carried their gliders up the hill. Not too much of a problem for the lighter gliders with able bodied flyers, or if we have a friend to help carry the glider, but it is definitely a restriction for those folks with heavier gliders or those folks with disabilities or those folks getting along in age. Not withstanding our future use of the road, we expressed our sense that the ridge road should always remain in place as a fire break and for fire fighting access in case of a dangerous brush fire.
Speaking of brush, a question about rehabilitation of the native plants and its effects on our gliding was asked. We stated that of the two general types of gliders that we fly, the lighter Paragliders with their fine lines would be most effected by brush and that the preferred surface conditions were those having a natural grass surface with no rocks. This is one of the features that makes the Crow such a lovely hill. We shared our feelings that given the hot and dry dessert and the hot SW facing aspect of the Crow, it would be difficult to establish native brush on the hill without irrigation. An area void of brush next to the homes also makes a great deal of sense in regards to fire safety. Hopefully, all of this will be considered when the City Planners roll up their sleeves and really look at this property, its location, and establish long term priorities and viability.
During the meeting we once again emphasized our desire to partner with the City at the Crow Gliding Area. For example, we discussed the old house that is visible next to the Highland Valley Road. We can see it in the picture next to the trees just above the road. More than likely this house will need to be razed and we volunteered our organization in the cleanup. We would also encourage the City Park Planners to take a close look at this area as a possible parking and waiting area under the cover of those old trees. Shade is a wonderful thing in the desert when waiting for friends or just enjoying a lovely summer evening listening to the wind and the birds while watching gliders above the Crow.
Gliders getting ready above Missoula, Montana at Mt Sentinel. They fly on University property yet access the top of the ridge using a Forest Service road.
Before the meeting ended we were tasked with providing the City with some of our other use agreements in the state and the region. Currently we are researching our files and also corresponding with other gliding groups to provide these items to the city. For example, the Missoula flyers have a working agreement with the U.S. Forrest Service that allows them to transport their gliders up a Forrest Service maintenance road that is otherwise closed to vehicular traffic. The agreement requires a permit that must be carried by the flyers using the road and it seems very reasonable. We are currently gathering the information requested and we will be forwarding it on to the City Council President over the next few days.
We are very hopeful that our dialog with the City will continue, and that much like the communities of Missoula and Salt Lake, we can all be proud of our very own gliding hill in Boise. Stay tuned for further developments.
Thanks to everyone for all of your letters and calls of support,
Blaine, Lisa, Patrick, Aaron, and John
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