Richardsons Flats info.

[bordy]

Saw some familar Kites in the air on the north side of richardson thought I would go over and join them since it seem like it may have been a good entrance that was maybe part of the dump, etc. Just as I was about to walk up, Kerry Gee pulled up in a fit of rage and anger, I did my best to calm him down, but he was very clear about that area also being part of the revegatation area, and said he spent the summer calling the police about dirtbike riders and he would treat all kiters as the same. We chated a bit about him not calling the police today, in exchange I said I would post on the forum that the area is indeed closed, He already noticed, Several riders and tracks at the south side of the road and saw several kites out a few days ago, I tried to share the idea of the low impact as well as trying to convince him, we pack the snow and help the ground saturation which would just help all the sage the have planted grow in the sage free areas we want to kite, he didn't beleave me one bit, I tried very hard to convince him, He left angry just like he arrived, even after we chated for 10 minutes or so, I think the only reason he was nice to me was becuase I told him I knew his brother right as he started yelling at me when he rolled down his window. DO what you would like at richardsons, but the property management (Kerry Gee) has made it very clear they will prosecute people for trespassing, there was a sign just 50 feet east of where the other kiters put in today.

That is what I know, perhaps some more letters would not hurt. I think I got him to think about our real impact alittle today, he never mentioned Liability as the reason, Only that they where trying to regrow sage in the open areas.

I am not saying go and kite there, but I think playing dumb is only going to work until your name has been recorded, I really don't see the police doing much more then taking your info and letting you know not to kite there. But it doesn't help open the spot if there is a chance with the management company, Kerry Gee said they have owned the land for over a hundred years, he seemed to understand how many people would like to still use the space, but he was very firm in stateing it is private property..

[Mark Johnson]

Good try Billy! I wish people like this would come to their senses and learn to share.

[Heather Schenck]

Thank you for posting Billy. And thank you for being there to represent our sport proffessionally to the land owner. I hope he shows kiters that same respect.
Here's a toast to the last decade of kiting in Park City, we've enjoyed some good rides on property that was open, available, nearby, and not ours. Here's to those great days and fun sessions... gulp, gulp. And here's a toast to open minded land owners sharing our passion for wind powered natural fun... in the future. Wether they like it or not, Park City was one of the primary initial locations that launched Snowkiting in Utah, and will always be historically known for what its provided. The Swaner preserve was where I dialed in my skills and trained with many others on old gear, including Andrew McClean and B-Rad before they went to Baffin Island with kites.


We should also let this land owner know that the forest service issues permits to us snowkiters every winter, with the stipulation that we don't kite until the sage is covered. But once its covered they recognize that we are a no impact sport that rides only atop the snow and does not affect the underbrush. They even allow snowmobiles on that very same pretence.... if the government trusts us, shouldn't Kerry G?

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

[joshlytle]

It was worth a try!

I can understand his point though, I don't think I would want people on my property with out permission, even if there was little to zero impact. Sounds like he should put up a fence if he wants to make it clear that its not public property.

[whit]

That is unfortunate news. Wasn't Ralph Morrison working with Kerry Gee last year and trying to work out some sort of access to this great kiting spot? I thought this is in the UWA mission statement, working to allow access to wind riding spots. Billy, it sounds like you did the best you could. Does anyone have an update on Ralph's efforts from last year?

[whit]

I was at the far north end Richardson Flats owned by Talisker last Sunday, right off Hwy 238, the road to Kamas. They have put up No Trespassing signs and actually added a "No Kiteboarding" Sign, see photo below. Is there any way we can work together to get access to these kiting fields? Are there signs now over at the South Richardson launch also? Look at all that untracked powder!!!!