April 20, 2007 To: State Marine Board c/o City of Keizer Nate Brown, Community Development Director PO Box 21000 Keizer, Oregon Rhonda Rich, President of the West Keizer Neighborhood Association 1480 Rafael St. N. Keizer, Oregon Grant request for Keizer Rapids Park marine facility
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Background: The WKNA encompasses a large geographical area bordering the Willamette River on the south and Keizer Rapids Park on the west. The area is composed of approximately 1900 households and businesses with an active membership of 70 members. Since the reactivation of the WKNA in November 2005, monthly meetings have been held with the focus on the development of the Keizer Rapids Park and the impact both positively and negatively that it would have on the adjacent neighborhood. Many members have been actively involved with the design of Keizer Rapids Park with the City of Keizer for the past year. Opportunities for input for the association have been primarily thru our representatives on the River Rapids Taskforce and other members who participated in the design charettes held June 17, 2006 by the City of Keizer. In regards to the marine facility planned for Keizer Rapids Park, the WKNA was pleased to have Dave Hilgemann and Mike Smith invited to participate on the “Boat Ramp Task Force” formed in October 2006. Many of the concerns of the neighbors south of the Keizer Rapids Park were presented: additional motor boat and jetski traffic on a narrow section of the river contributing to safety hazards and the effect that more traffic and noise would have on the wildlife along the river’s edge. The members of the WKNA have supported keeping the park as “natural” as possible and did not want to see a large marine facility, such as Wallace Marine Park. There has also been a valid concern of automobile and trailer parking in the neighborhood bordering the park. Recommendation: The Board of Directors of the WKNA request that the State Marine Board accept the City of Keizer’s “Boat Ramp Task Force” recommendation of a single lane boat ramp, and 23 spaces for boat trailer parking to support the use of the ramp, 13 spaces for single vehicles, 3 ADA handicap parking spaces, and a toilet. We also strongly support landscaping around the perimeter of the facility for a more “natural feel” to the park. We would also hope that consideration would be given to non-motorized watercraft access to the marine facility as we are a community of various recreational needs who wish to enjoy the opportunities the Willamette River has to offer.