silvereaglekiter - 2-6-2012 at 04:24 PM
Any D.C.ers brave enough to try & get permission to fly at this lovely little local. Forrest Sherman Field
Todd - 2-6-2012 at 04:29 PM
Looks like part of the Naval Academy which I would say good luck! I can make a phone call or two if some are really interested.
~Chillin' in Memphis TN
bobalooie57 - 2-6-2012 at 04:31 PM
Looks like soccer goals? Man, what a spot, though! Go for it , Nick, and good luck! 
silvereaglekiter - 2-6-2012 at 04:33 PM
Saw it in a fly over show on pbs thought id ask. Probably have the same luck im having getting in Ft Lee
bobalooie57 - 2-6-2012 at 04:48 PM
I guess I should consider myself lucky. My son used to work at one of the clubs on Fort Drum, here in upstate NY. There were 3 connected
recreational fields right next door, and I would give him a ride to work and fly at those fields, and even buggy at them if there was enough wind, and
the fields weren't in use. I never asked, just started flying there, and after a few times and no one saying anything, brought out the buggy. Often
a soldier would stop with family and fly single liners, and I got to show a few 12 & ups how to fly a power kite with my smaller NASA wings. I
stopped going there when my son stopped working at the club.
Todd - 2-6-2012 at 04:53 PM
Never say never Nick! I got permission when I was working aboard Pax, not that tough to do on that one. The antenna field was pretty easy as well;
just have to talk the talk.
frankiter - 8-6-2012 at 09:27 AM
Nick,
Any progress to report? Let me know if you need an accomplice.
I drive through Annapolis every day and would love to get permission to fly on any of those fields.
silvereaglekiter - 8-6-2012 at 09:34 AM
I'm not in much of a position to pursue it, was jest highlighting it for y'all local-er folks
USNA Allow's Public Access
jollydriver - 7-8-2012 at 08:55 AM
Hi
The Good!
This field may not be so impossible to access. If you go to the following USNA link, it states:
http://www.usna.edu/SecuInfoPers/FAQS.htm
Gate 1 Pedestrian Traffic (which is by the visitor's center): Open Sun-Thurs 0500-0000/Fri-Sat 0500-0200
Note: Visitors will not be granted access prior to sunrise or after sunset unless coming on for a specific event (e.g. basketball game, ECA meeting,
Chapel service). Also, holiday hours for Gate 3 vary from the normal.
The general public may walk in through the Visitors Access Center at Gate 1 during general visiting hours. When the stadium courtesy shuttle is
operating, you may access the Academy via this method. All visitors over the age of 16 must have a valid picture ID (i.e.: State issued driver's
license, student I.D., or a government issued passport).
My sister-in-law clued me into this fact as she is not a member of the military or any other govt agency, and she is in the habit of taking her
evening walks along the river/bay. You can avoid cadet/facuilty only areas by going along the sidewalk on the water, and there is even a footbridge
on the south side of the field across an inlet which cuts down on the overall hike, gaining access to a 500 x 100 meter field.
The Bad.
Forrest Sherman Field is easily a mile from Gate 1. Also, the public access are through some rotating gate turnstiles. I think a buggy would be
right out because of those issues. Also, on the same link posted above, there is a posted policy of:
Rollerskating, rollerblading, and skateboarding are prohibited.
A single/double kite backpack might be okay, but until I get a chance to talk to the security/visitors center that is a big unknown.
The Ugly (or unknown).
I don't know what the policy or attitude towards kite flying once your on the field (I will ask this weekend). It also has rows of 20-30 foot small
stadium lights on each side, and when I went by this last Sunday, there were youth lacrosse games at 8-9 PM, so the field may be heavily utilized by
the Academy and the local community. I have no idea if there are sprinkler heads or if they leave lacrosse/soccer goals up all the time.
My plan is to chat with security/visitors center, and start small with either a stunt or small trainer kite. I'm guessing an AM session on a non
sporting event Saturday, or even better, on a Sunday is the best time to start. Because of the no skateboard policy, I have to think static flying is
the most to hope for.
Regards
JD