glowbug Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Just got a call from a buddy who was just a Queenston there's a notice posted stating the docks are coming out Nov. 22. This is not good, maybe if we send them enough email complaints they'll change their minds. Go to www.niagaraparks.com and find contact us. Lets get those emails going boys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Brian Laketrout Cuthbertson Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Just got a call from a buddy who was just a Queenston there's a notice posted stating the docks are coming out Nov. 22. This is not good, maybe if we send them enough email complaints they'll change their minds. Go to www.niagaraparks.com and find contact us. Lets get those emails going boys. 2116[/snapback] Yes lets do that. Those docks are used year round,there was minimal damage done to them last winter.. It's not like we have a choice of were we can launch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flywire Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Im confused as well is it the dock where the launch is or the sand docks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowbug Posted October 31, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 It's the launch ramp. The Niagara Parks Commission does not own the sand docks that, the jet boats lease it.The jet boats always take their docks out.The N.P.C. has always left the launch ramp docks in all year round. I don't know what has changed this year. There is a new park commissioner? With the little bit of maintainance that does get done you wouldn't think that make the difference.They probably view it as what does this area do for tourism it's only use by the locals. Go to the bottom of N.P.C. page there is a spot to share your niagara area experiences. I'm going to call the N.P.C. first thing Monday morning too see what their reasoning is.I have talked to the old com. Brian Merritt lets hope the new com. will be willing to talk. I'll post any news as soon as I have any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IBC Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 didnt the niagara parks lose some $$ last year? if what i recall reading is correct this guy is probably looking to save $ wherever he can to prevent money from being lost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Brian Laketrout Cuthbertson Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Damage to the dock was minimal last year. I have pics to prove it. If anyone has any pictures of the dock being used nov-april send them to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJW88 Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Damage to the dock was minimal last year. I have pics to drove it. If anyone has any pictures of the dock being used nov-april send them to them. 2134[/snapback] The reason I think they'll be pulling out the docks is because they probably don't want to fix the roadway that leads to the ramp. By pulling the docks out they'll deter people from using the docks and won't get any complaints about the condition of the road. I still do agree that it is a dumb idea to pull out the ramp because I personally feel that the ramp gets the most use during the winter season. If they do pull the docks us boaters are screwed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Brian Laketrout Cuthbertson Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 But the road down is better in the winter when the potholes are full of ice Heres a Email addy to the person I contacted last winter of the dumping of garbage along the lower crorison@niagaraparks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishin-nut Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 I really don't know what they think they are going to accomplish by removing the docks. If they are worried about a law suit on someone falling I guess it's better to just jump off of the rocks into the boat. It looks like i am going to have to tell my clients to watch their step that first one is a doosey. So what next lets just put a gate at the top of the road, and stop all cars from coming down. I know that this was a topic a few years back because they didn't want to maintain the road. They don't realize that this ramp is probably used more in the fall and early winter then it is all year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Steelheader Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Sorry for being such a noob...can someone explain exactly why the docks are important? I gather from what I'm hearing that the docks are vital to those who launch from Queenston during the winter fishing season, which is actually quite busy from Nov-April. It's not that the ramp is being closed, but it will be hard to load the boat with no dock, correct? I'd like to call Niagara Parks too...I just want to get my facts straight so I don't look stoopid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Brian Laketrout Cuthbertson Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Sorry for being such a noob...can someone explain exactly why the docks are important? I gather from what I'm hearing that the docks are vital to those who launch from Queenston during the winter fishing season, which is actually quite busy from Nov-April. It's not that the ramp is being closed, but it will be hard to load the boat with no dock, correct?I'd like to call Niagara Parks too...I just want to get my facts straight so I don't look stoopid. 2155[/snapback] Steelheader Yes it's the docks,makes it easier to load and unload the boats,and the docks make it easier on the boats,Marks, scratches ect.............. This is what there talking about taking out.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F,O,G Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 ok all send the parks emails like crazy get all the fishermen to send that you know of asking why???? and we need them.. post any replys you recieve so we all can see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Frank Di Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 ok all send the parks emails like crazy get all the fishermen to send that you know of asking why???? and we need them..post any replys you recieve so we all can see 2171[/snapback] I made a few calls, seems there is a meeting scheduled in the next little while between niagara parks and some party that has our interests in mind. I was led to believe that the docks are being removed to repair them. Also, from what I remember from years past, the docks were removed in the winter anyway. It was a real pain to launch the boat, but it was do-able. Thought I would let you guys know before someone chained themselves to docks! Hopefully they will come up with a solution that will make everyone happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Steelheader Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Thanks Brian Yeah, I've been down there a couple of times this summer, and I noticed that the docks appeared to be broken. They leaned into the water quite severely in a couple of places. However, from what I understand the docks are used more in winter than they are in summer. If this is true, then wouldn't it be more prudent for them to remove the docks in summer for repairs? Certainly this would be less of an interruption to everyone, and it would be safer; falling into the Niagara in summer is better than falling into the Niagara in winter. If repairs are the issue, then perhaps we could convince them to delay the repairs until next summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jammer Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 We have recently been made aware of the private businesses operating out of The Niagara Parks facilities without compensation to the Parks. The docks require maintenance and will be pulled out as scheduled. We have talked to several charter operators and have asked them to organize themselves and set up a meeting with D. Gillis as soon as possible to address several matters - such as liability issues that you place on the Commission, estimated compensation packages that the charters wish to pay for use of our private property and for the immediate problem what can be done to save your charter season. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: C & H Vanrooy [mailto:jammer@kwic.com] Sent: Monday, November 01, 2004 8:31 AM To: Rorison Candice Subject: Queenston boat dock I hear they are taking the docks out in Queenston this winter.... Is this true??? Why would they do this??? They get used more in late fall and early winter then the rest of the year... This would be a finacial impact on the surrounding business's... I would appreciate a response... Signed not a happy angler.... Chris Vanrooy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Steelheader Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 We have recently been made aware of the private businesses operating out of The Niagara Parks facilities without compensation to the Parks. The docks require maintenance and will be pulled out as scheduled. We have talked to several charter operators and have asked them to organize themselves and set up a meeting with D. Gillis as soon as possible to address several matters - such as liability issues that you place on the Commission, estimated compensation packages that the charters wish to pay for use of our private property and for the immediate problem what can be done to save your charter season. There are two separate issues here: 1. Niagara Parks is removing the docks during peak season for maintenance. 2. Niagara Parks wants to address liability and compensation issues surrounding the use of the docks by private businesses. The two issues are not related. Issue #1 affects all anglers, not just the charters. This is the issue we are all concerned about. Niagara Parks has made these docks available to the public for years free of charge, and as anglers we would like to continue to enjoy their use. We do not understand why Niagara Parks would chose to do maintenance during the busiest part of the fishing season when the docks would be used the most. We would rather see maintenance done during the summer when the useage is down. Issue #2 affects private charters. If Niagara Parks wishes to receive compensation from private businesses who use their facilities, so be it. But this is a completely separate issue from the problem of removing the docks during peak season. If the private charters are organizing to meet with Niagara Parks about compensation and liability issues, that is all well and good. But is anyone meeting with Niagara Parks to discuss the removal of the docks on November 22, an issue which affects every single person who fishes on a boat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishin-nut Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 I have to agree with you steelheader that these are two seperate issues. If the NPC is worried about liability issues they would of fixed this dock long ago. These docks have been in need of repair for awhile now. As for the private sector doing buisiness on their property I am all for compensating the NPC for use of their ramp but are they prepaired to fix the road and repair the ramp as well and how about some Johnny on the spots. If I have to pay them they need two maintain this property a little bit better. No one ever compensates me when I take my clients(oops my American friends) to the many hotels or the Casino when they come down. Or all the shows that all the Guides go to in the States to promote the Niagara River and its surroundings. If someone knows when this meeting is suppose to take place can they post it . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IBC Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 first ... prior to all the NPC bashing for removing the docks ... 1. If repairs need to be done, they should be done as soon as possible so that whatever dammage exists can not get worse and potentially cost someone their life. 2. The NPC probably has probably not studied the amount of traffic usage occurring at the docks. They probably assume that there are less people using the docks in the winter since you can not waterski, jetski, and who recreational boats when theres snow?. 3. On the subject of charters using the dock, well they are using the dock for free at the moment, something has probably jsut recently happened with a charter (possibly the reason a repair needs to be carried out) where there is talk of a lawsuit. If you look at any city park, if there is organized sports that occur the league must pay the city for field usage which applies to the maintenance of the field as well as paying for insurance policies incase someone happens to injure themselves on the city's property, even through their own carelessness (one of the reasons you are seeing more and more fences errected within the city of St. Catharines at the parks). Right now the NPC is earning nothing on having the dock there and if businesses are making money off of the dock and not paying a fee for the usage. 4. No dock means better fishing opertunities for shorebound anglers since there will be less boat traffic going through the Queenston drift and on the subject of johhnies ... i would bet against it just because of the problems that occur to them in out of the way locations (arson, tipping, smell, the htings going missing) After working for the parks in St. Catharines for a few summers I have seen that these things are loved by @$$#0135! Routinely they were tipped (creating one stinky and spilled outhouse), burned to the ground, just stinking if they are over used, and every now and then they have been known to be floating through port dalhousie or lake ontario when they are pushed in. You can chain them down but some people carry bolt cutters for destructive reasons. As well they become unservicable once the winter rolls around and the temperatures get below zero. IBC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowbug Posted November 1, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 What happened recently with a charter boat? Please inform us,do you know something we don't?The charter boats only use NPC property for a couple of minutes, when they are launching their boats.After that they are on the river and as far as i know the npc does not own the water. No dock does not mean better shore fishing it just opens the door to all the american charter boats with their unlicenced clients fishing our unprotected waters.( but that is a other jumbo can of worms that will be opened later).The only thing the npc does for the locals as far as i know is to throw us a bone every spring by letting us ride their attractions for 1/2 price one day every year.Yes we have their launches but not one of has washroom facilities and none are maintained. Have not got through to anyone a npc yet, if anyone knows when and where this metting is to take place please post it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IBC Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 to my knowledge nothing has happened, however there is the possability something has recently happened that has caused them to deem that the docks need repairing and that they need to consider a fee for the charters etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jammer Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 What if a group of us volunteered our time to make necessary repairs??? Pull the dock, repair it and back in all in the same day??? Thoughts??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IBC Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 I would not see the NPC allowing this, opens up a whole new can of worms as a WHAT IF or JUST IN CASE ... mind you some of you guys would probably be able to work harder and more efficiently than the parks union guys, but in the end it would come down to liability ... and I don't see the NPC reimbursing you for any costs (parts/tools) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowbug Posted November 1, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 I would be willing to help but we better find out what union we will have to pay dues too. Or will we have take out insurance from npc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dwc67 Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 are you really willing to except future liability if anyone gets hurt? you better have alot of insurance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishin-nut Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 I'm sure if you would talk to anyone that uses this facilitiy to pitch in a helping hand they would all be for it. What the heck alot of us now are doing their job for them like clearing the ice off the ramp in the winter time or pick up alot of the garbage that is laying around especially during the smelt run. As a matter of fact someone last year plowed the road heading down to the ramp so that could use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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