I have read about parks specificaly used for kiting in the UK but i know of none in the US. I was wondering how they made one in the UK and if there was a way we could eventually get one in the US, specifically on the east coast in the virginia maryland and DC area.
I think that if we got enough people interested in this kind of park we could get donations from them to create a park.

just an idea

This is what NAPKA is trying to afford us all .

Join up and help out !

www.NAPKA.org

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/today.php

i went to the napka website and looked at what they did

from what i saw it look like they were only interested in making parks on the west coast

It seems that only people on the West Coast have found a use for NAPKA but the idea is that it is there to assist in insuring groups that want to approach authorities for land use anyplace. The basic " foot in the door " that I think you are looking for. It has a small but growing membership out East.

NAPKA hasn't had a direct effect on assisting people out East but it is established and the ALL are invited to help it grow.

NAPKA isn't the " answer " but it is the best thing we have to work with at the moment.

You see a better option out East?


P.S. Can you explain how the website made you feel it was designed to help out the West Coasts interests? It has it's roots here but I would hope the website doesn't make it appear it is all about West Coast land issues? The idea is to make it the central body that everybody is looking for?

it just seamed that all their events and fields were out west and that no one was even interested in doing stuff i the east

I would love to get something like that going in DE, they make parks for Dogs here, why not kites! Oh wait a minute, we used all our nice open lands to build huge houses that no one could afford! Well maybe I can find an open space and talk to our Parks and Rec people. Hmmmm.

Here is some food for thought.

All buggiers and flyboarders have to join GPA in Germany as their club. Dues are higher than others. However they managed to speak with the government and they rent St. Peter Oriding to use. If you travel there you must ask for permission to ride through the GPA. Being part NAPKA gives you an in, because we follow the same rules.

I believe the kite park in the UK was formed by someone's farm backyard. Don't quote me.

Also in Germany they have Kite Area too.

See the light of a governing kiting club?

More things happen in numbers.
Remember you're not alone in your quest. If anyone needs help just ask, we're not mind readers.

Just my wooden nickel thoughts.

Yes, there is more going on out here in the West. But it only makes sense because this is where the membership is most active at this time. The club has "North America" in it's title for a very good reason, that is what is envisioned by it's founding members to encompass. Yes it takes a lot of work to be active in this endeavor to make things happen for any area for which one lives. Things didn't happen overnight and didn't happen without a lot of work from club members out here in the West. It also took a lot of support from club members thru-out the entire membership. That is what the club offers for anybody that is willing to take on the task to make things work for their own area. It's important to keep in mind that what is good for any region, benefits the sport in it's entirety.

One may be in the works for the Midwest

We have to stop treating NAPKA as "them" and to really grow, it has to be seen as "we". Anyone that can use the NAPKA umbrella to gain land access or use, benefits all of us.

We have a kite park in the Eastern US. It's called Jekyll Island, lol.

Sorry, could not resist spamming my back yard.

But Yes NAPKA can help open up your local field or park with affordable insurance.

Quote:

Originally posted by acampbell We have a kite park in the Eastern US. It's called Jekyll Island, lol. Sorry, could not resist spamming my back yard.

And what a park it is. I live 35 minutes from Ivanpah dry lake and yet feel lucky to have my wife resolved we retire to Brunswick when the time comes. It's that good!

Quote:

Note: All the feline recommended caveats apply.... YMMVW, FWIW, etc. quote]Originally posted by shortlineflyer I have read about parks specificaly used for kiting in the UK but i know of none in the US. I was wondering how they made one in the UK and if there was a way we could eventually get one in the US, specifically on the east coast in the virginia maryland and DC area. I think that if we got enough people interested in this kind of park we could get donations from them to create a park. just an idea

Just to be clear.... as far as I know the only park dedicated to traction kiting is the Essex Kite Park. If there are others, I am unaware of them. "Park," in this case is a term of convience and not a "park" in the way most people are familiar with them.

Creating a park "from scratch" is going to be an uphill battle... at best. Repurposing suitable existing land is going to be easier (more below).

Quote:

Originally posted by shortlineflyer from what i saw it look like they were only interested in making parks on the west coast

To the best of my knowledge, NAPKA has not made any parks on the west coast or anywhere else. They have facilitated access to existing beaches and other properties where traction kiting has been restricted/curtailed or banned.

Quote:

Originally posted by shortlineflyer it just seamed that all their events and fields were out west and that no one was even interested in doing stuff i the east

East Coast flying locations exist.... look at all the locations in the videos posted by east coast flyers.

As far as events.... I am assuming you are looking at the NAPKA calendar. Go back and pull up the details on various events and look at who the event contact/organizers are. In most cases, they are not NAPKA officers, but regulars NAPKA members. There's nothing to stop East or Central NAPKA members from starting events. There might however need to be a caffeine intervention for some NAPKA members

Quote:

Originally posted by shehatesmyhobbies Well maybe I can find an open space and talk to our Parks and Rec people. Hmmmm.

Parks & Rec might not be the best folks to talk to. As a general rule P&R is mandated to look at it's entire constituency and let's face it... in most burgs, kites are way down on the minority list. My fear is that anything you gain from P&R in one turn (at least in terms of a dedicated site) can way too easily be overturned (in a heartbeat) if another faction grouses loudly.

Quote:

Originally posted by ripsessionkites I believe the kite park in the UK was formed by someone's farm backyard. Don't quote me.

Reading through the Essex Kite Park website, I would say it's close enough to the truth to be quotable.

Vistors to the Essex Kite Park must provide proof of third party insurance that covers traction kite activities. For most, that's a membership to the British Power Kitesports Association (BPKA).... *gasp* which sounds suspiciously like NAPKA.

OK... so above I questioned the notion of contacting the local Parks & Recreation department for the reasons listed above. So where do you turn?!? Hmmmm.... thought about it for a day or so and I tried to figure out who else has needs similar needs to ours... smooth open fields with compartively clean winds.... maybe some shade and some parking. Who, who, who....

think, think, think



Maybe some other group that likes to fly

Note: Please note the field was established in 1955 and no one has ousted the group in the interim.

How's their field? Pretty darn sweet....



The little road that starts at about 9:00 terminates in a small parking lot with a shaded pavillion. And the rest of it is all open field.

So how did they wrangle this? Apparently the property was and still is part of land that is owned by the local hospital and the prison.... both just down the road.

I believe the RC club is responsible for the upkeep of the field (there is a small shed on site with a riding mower).

So, I guess the short answer is it's possible, but when looking around for potential sites, I guess I would recommend looking for organizations that have unused land but aren't hampered by local city politics.

Gosh.... at no time during all that typing did my fingers leave my hands.

ATB,
Sam

to quote again from above. don't quote me 110% yet but just from the information i gather from speaking to other pilots

the B "P" KA is an affiliated club to the B "S" KA.

the BSKA is the solo governing body for UK from Water to Dirt. see here : http://www.britishkitesurfingassociation.co.uk/

the site is a good read as well on the "club" section tab.

the racers use this website : http://www.parakartassociation.co.uk/

from experience, when Sunny J and I were trying to gather enough insurance for completing at World Cup, I found out that UK offers their pilots the most personal insurance out of any country, a whooping 5 Million Pounds.

Ok...membership form sent, photo attached, dues paid. Just have to snail mail the waiver and it's hello US357!

Can we just call you Mr. Magnum?

ATB,
Sam

I hope you don't get a response like the one I got,from a city official. here is an excerpt "Any disturbance to the shore birds or other wildlife in the area is considered incompatible. The only wheeled traffic allowed on the beach is for maintenance and enforcement. Not only does beach activity frighten away wildlife, wheeled vehicles on the hard-packed mean low tide area disturb and destroy northeastern beach tiger beetle habitats. This is an endangered species and is protected by law. Our staff is being educated more now on what is and is not allowed on the beach at Grandview. Bicycles are no longer allowed and signs will be posted to this effect with a bike stand near the beach entrance.



It is not only the wheels on your particular vehicle that is of concern. The presence of such a large kite will certainly frighten away shore birds and wildlife that visitors come to observe. Grandview is one of the last and the largest nesting sites for the Least Tern on the Atlantic coast. They are slowly being driven away by beach activities. The endangered Piping Plover used to flourish at Grandview, but has met the same fate. We are limiting activities in order to reverse these trends.



While we appreciate the fact that people need areas for recreational use, we have to consider our dwindling natural resources and preserve what areas that we have left for this purpose. We would welcome your support and understanding in this matter as we strive to protect our wildlife resources.



Christopher Hickman

Natural Resources Manager

City of Hampton Parks and Recreation

(757) 825-4606 "



this is why I am an OUTLAW KITER!

HERE'S THEIR SIGN!

Quote:

Originally posted by mougl Ok...membership form sent, photo attached, dues paid. Just have to snail mail the waiver and it's hello US357!

Screwyfits must've let his lapse, that was his number for years!

Quote:

Originally posted by WELDNGOD I hope you don't get a response like the one I got,from a city official. here is an excerpt "Any disturbance to the shore birds or other wildlife in the area is considered incompatible. The only wheeled traffic allowed on the beach is for maintenance and enforcement. Not only does beach activity frighten away wildlife, wheeled vehicles on the hard-packed mean low tide area disturb and destroy northeastern beach tiger beetle habitats. This is an endangered species and is protected by law. Our staff is being educated more now on what is and is not allowed on the beach at Grandview. Bicycles are no longer allowed and signs will be posted to this effect with a bike stand near the beach entrance. It is not only the wheels on your particular vehicle that is of concern. The presence of such a large kite will certainly frighten away shore birds and wildlife that visitors come to observe. Grandview is one of the last and the largest nesting sites for the Least Tern on the Atlantic coast. They are slowly being driven away by beach activities. The endangered Piping Plover used to flourish at Grandview, but has met the same fate. We are limiting activities in order to reverse these trends. While we appreciate the fact that people need areas for recreational use, we have to consider our dwindling natural resources and preserve what areas that we have left for this purpose. We would welcome your support and understanding in this matter as we strive to protect our wildlife resources. Christopher Hickman Natural Resources Manager City of Hampton Parks and Recreation (757) 825-4606 " this is why I am an OUTLAW KITER!

is this your only riding location?

they didn't shut you down they did this to everyone on wheels. closing an area vs singling you out is different.

if they singled you out, we could approach them in a different manner:

- hold a meeting / emails / etc etc
- draw out some rules (no riding x distance from the shore, x distance from the dunes)
- give you a selection to ride in (boundary areas)
- host a small gathering for the Government to see how we can co-exist
- show them the benefits

thats my take in simple text.

i don't believe in her statement of a kite scaring away birds, I thought birds fly when they choose too.

this just shows how they haven't been educated yet, or fear of the unknown.

I can provide you samples of other places around the world that all co-exist between people to wildlife.

When I've flown with birds around, they barely change course when I fly by. It's like they think the kite is one of them.

Quote:

Originally posted by BeamerBob When I've flown with birds around, they barely change course when I fly by. It's like they think the kite is one of them.

Dont beavers and birds get along?

Rip, They had to include ALL wheeled vehicles to get rid of me. It wasn't the bikes that they were trying to shut down. In fact people still go out and ride their bikes out there. Never heard of anyone getting kicked out.Just me..... I told them that as long as bicycles could ride out on the beach then I also had the right to. This is their lame attempt to stop me. They better get used to lookin for me when it's cold and ugly out,cause I'm gonna be there!


OUTLAW KITING

I got moved from a BEAUTIFUL empty parking lot into a turbulance ridden death zone because I was a "liability" when people were watching me.