Quote:
Originally Posted by Tobey
Tom, I am curious. Not being from the region I do not know of all the the other potential spots on the lake that would/could accomadate your program. I do understand the lake is very very large. Have you looked elswhere?
I am not against the kids sailing program, it's just the fact I am having a hard time dealing with the thought this park may not be as enjoyable for us RV folks due to continual traffic on the east side road to beach and noise associated with functions that may go on. Guess you do need them (functions) to support your cause.
Thanks for listening and replying. Maybe this is not so bad as I find myself searching other RV opportunites in New England. Maybe I'll try the Ocean parks.  |
Hello Tobey,
Your thoughts, comments and concerns, presented in your recent post in a very constructive manner by the way, deserve a similiar response. The possibility that our use of the Ellacoya waterfront might disturb occupants of the RV facility is very much in the forefront of our minds. You are already there and we're new on the scene. Just that fact alone means we have an obligation to go to considerable lengths to minimize and hopefull prevent any disruption of your enjoyment of the campground.
The LWSA will bring change to Ellacoya. We are cognizant of this fact and we must, therefore, do all that we can to have those changes be net positive. It would be ludicrous for us to try to pretend that the heightened level of activity created by our presence will be welcomed by everyone. As you point out, and as I have already anticipated, there will be a lot more vehicles going up and down the east side road that borders one row of the RV sites. This means we will need to consider improvements to and along that roadway to make sure we don't negatively impact the use of the sites. Here are some of the measures I am considering employing, obviously, subject to approval from DRED:
1. Dust stirred up by cars will be a problem. I am hopeful we can get that roadway hard surfaced. This is about a $45,000 expense and I will be trying to get this donated by one or more of the local firms in the paving business. Another option could be surfacing the roadway with crushed stone. Regardless of the cost factors involved, the dust stirred up by passing cars during hot, dry periods will have to be addressed and effectively dealt with.
2. The visual aesthetics of having cars passing by a campsite on a regular basis also leave something to be desired. I believe we can reduce the visual impact of this reality by placing a fence down the length of the wooden guardrail that's there now. Again, this will be a substantial cost item
that could bust our budget, but it is needs to be addressed.
3. Functions in the building will be a necessary evil as the income from same will be a crucial factor in the affordability of the complex. For the sake of the residents of Lake Shore Park and the RV sites as well, the LWSA will have to curtail the hours of and the number of attendees at such events to be sure the impact of such things as bands and outdoor events do not unduly encroach on the peace of neighboring sites. This will be a multi-faceted sailing center and holding functions will be incidental to the use of the facility -- necessary, but limited in scope and frequency.
I am a bit troubled by your comment that you are starting to look elsewhere for other RV sites to visit out of concern that the character of Ellacoya, once our sailing center is located there, may not be to your liking. I believe the LWSA's presence there will change some of the site's character, but I also believe those changes will be positive in nature and not intrusive. I believe the visual impact of what we'll be doing will be interesting and enjoyable. Sitting at a picnic bench along the seawall to the west of our complex and watching our Sailing School students learning how to sail will be fun and visually enjoyable. I am confident that the residents of Lake Shore Park will learn, not only to accept the presence of the new Sailing Center, but they will embrace it as a fundemental improvement in the quality of the Park's residents' lives, especially the Park's youngsters.
For many years, the LWSA has been on the lookout for other sites along the lake for this new facility. Even now, as we move forward with the design and approval process, we welcome any thoughts or suggestions as to alternative sites. Because the costs of building the complex will be daunting, the cost of purchasing a site would have to be deminimis. The location pretty much in the middle of the lake on a north/south basis is also strategically important and Ellacoya fits that bill perfectly.
Tobey, give us a chance to get established and up and operating before you conclude you need to go elsewhere with your RV for peace and quiet. One of the reasons the LWSA likes the site is for its natural beauty and its tranquility. There will be a noticeable increase in the amount of activity once we're up and running, but there will also be extended periods when that level of activity will be very restrained and minimal. At all times, I promise you, we will be taking our neighbors' desires for peaceful enjoyment of their properties into consideration and acting accordingly!
Regards,
Tom Mullen, President
Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association, Inc.