Power Kite Forum

Richmond, BC Canada - Power Kiting Ban -Maybe not!

RonH - 21-4-2015 at 08:10 PM

From Scudley's thread, many of you may be aware of the proposed bylaw to ban power kiting from our parks.

I would like anyone who has visited our local kite park, Garry Point, to write a letter to the mayor and council why you visited our park and why you think power kiting should not be banned.

Please include info for contact information in case we need verification.

you can forward the letters to me ronkcfourfiveatgmail.com (you know how to make that a real email address)

I will send them in and have copies at the next council meeting. (Apr, 27)

Thanks in advance,
Ron Hardie
KC45
NAPKA chapter 11 rep

RonH - 21-4-2015 at 08:22 PM

We also need to get together VERY SOON to organize our effort to present our case to city council.

I am available Wednesday evening, Friday evening or on the weekend.

Ron

buggeyed - 21-4-2015 at 10:28 PM

I can get together on Fri evening or sometime over the weekend, let me know when and where.

dirtslide - 22-4-2015 at 10:27 AM

Any time that works for you is good for me, try not to schedule the meeting when there is a play off hockey game on. Lol

Bladerunner - 22-4-2015 at 06:28 PM

I am out for Sunday morning but otherwise available. If early Sunday works for everybody else, I'm good.
I work Monday night but will get a letter of to you Ron.

Big thanks to those who are working hard on this. East Coast and west. :thumbup:

RonH - 24-4-2015 at 08:17 AM

Everyone want to meet Saturday morning @ 10:00 am

No rain - Garry Point
Rain - Waves Coffee in Steveston on Bayview

See you tomorrow
Ron

Bladerunner - 24-4-2015 at 02:07 PM

The weather looks bad for wind and iffy for rain. If we are going to be looking over new codes of conduct etc. I think all meeting indoors is going to work best?
:bigok:

RonH - 24-4-2015 at 02:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner  
The weather looks bad for wind and iffy for rain. If we are going to be looking over new codes of conduct etc. I think all meeting indoors is going to work best?
:bigok:


Waves it is... They have a fairly big table - hopefully it's not too busy

canuck - 25-4-2015 at 09:40 AM

Ron, I just sent you my letter to Council. It looks to me like there are three avenues to pursue. Part 3.1.1 of Bylaw 8771 does allow for prohibited activities to be undertaken in an area specifically designated for such activity. I think you could make a good case for a win-win situation by having only one specifically designated area in Richmond - Garry Point. If that does not work, Part 6.1.1 (a) provides a procedure for obtaining written authorization. Every kiter should seek written authorization on a monthly basis - maybe a squeaky wheel will get some grease. Ken (2) has already proposed the third option - just pay the $150 fine if you get a ticket but the $10,000 fine in Part 7.2 is a little scary.

Should Bylaw Enforcement officers be ticketing make sure they get all off-leash dogs (Part 2.5.2(a) $150)

RonH - 27-4-2015 at 10:35 PM

So in a nutshell...

Council has sent the power kite section to staff to recommend rules/regulations for power kiting and to hopefully designate Garry Point as an area for use to use.

They have also set the start date of the bylaws to be effective August 1st to give use time to work out some rules.

Thanks to those who came out and supported our cause.

Now we need to work with the city staff to find a way to keep GP open in the long term.

Ron

Scudley - 28-4-2015 at 12:06 AM

Many thanks to Ron and Ben for the great and fancy verbal footwork, to the Richmond city council for listening and of course for the 12 years they have let me play on Garry Point.

shehatesmyhobbies - 28-4-2015 at 02:13 AM

I know the fight isn't over, but this small battle is a victory for you guys, just having them give you time to work it out is a whole lot better than a ban that could take years to un do!

Bladerunner - 28-4-2015 at 04:06 AM

Quote: Originally posted by shehatesmyhobbies  
I know the fight isn't over, but this small battle is a victory for you guys, just having them give you time to work it out is a whole lot better than a ban that could take years to un do!



Too Right !

This is the best result that could possibly have come out of this last reading. It is my understanding that the parks board is open to helping us to make this happen. I feel like we just might get to keep riding at GP for another 20 years.

I think we may come out of this with a way to make new pilots more aware of the " does and don'ts " of the park and flying in general. With a bit more power to call the shots when we see somebody playing outside of the box.

Thanks to those who represented for us tonight and thanks for the update. I needed that! :thumbup:

soliver - 28-4-2015 at 04:54 AM

Great News guys!... I know how great GP is for y'all from seeing it in all your vids. I'm glad you guys aren't loosing a primo spot

1oldkid - 28-4-2015 at 06:19 AM

Good work guys! :thumbup:

Scudley - 28-4-2015 at 10:01 AM

Quote: Originally posted by soliver  
Great News guys!... I know how great GP is for y'all from seeing it in all your vids. I'm glad you guys aren't loosing a primo spot


The view from a gopro is much different from real life. In the videos Garry looks huge. Just about everybody who has seen our videos and then comes to GP are amazed by how small the park really is. That said, it is my favourite place to fly, some great people to fly with.
As to the battle not being over, I think the biggest battle will be changing some of our own behaviours. If we want to keep flying in a sometimes busy public park, we have to mind our Ps & Qs. Probably the thing that swayed Council in our favour is that, done right, our sport can be a beautiful thing to watch. The thing got us on the radar was that done wrong watching us can be terrifying. If your flying style is "wind wrestling", you might want to modify your style so that those watching you think it as "wind dancing".
S

canuck - 28-4-2015 at 09:52 PM


Quote:
Scudley posted:
Probably the thing that swayed Council in our favour is that, done right, our sport can be a beautiful thing to watch. The thing got us on the radar was that done wrong watching us can be terrifying. If your flying style is "wind wrestling", you might want to modify your style so that those watching you think it as "wind dancing".


So true! We are creators of our own destiny. Glad to hear that GP is still good to go. Get involved with Richmond staff so that you all own the rules/regulations, not just someone who has never flown a kite before.

gabor - 28-4-2015 at 10:03 PM

Great job guys!

cbs2010 - 5-5-2015 at 12:04 AM

Was the original motion to ban all forms of power kiting throughout the no fun city of Vancouver ?

I've taught a number of kids to fly two line foils and seeing their self confidence grow from learning these skills is amazing. It would be a shame to take that away from future generations.

Bladerunner - 5-5-2015 at 04:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by cbs2010  
Was the original motion to ban all forms of power kiting throughout the no fun city of Vancouver ?

I've taught a number of kids to fly two line foils and seeing their self confidence grow from learning these skills is amazing. It would be a shame to take that away from future generations.


No. NoFunCouver is actually pulling it's ban on English bay. Vanier and all other Vancouver parks are still OK to use. Just lousy for riding. This ban will mean no kiting in any Richmond parks and school yards. If all goes well we will still be able to use Garry Point but with restrictions.