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More Lake Norman beach access planned
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Published: August 1, 2009
"I grew up on Lake Wylie and it's become an economic discrimination that unless you have a boat or a house on the lake, you can't enjoy the water."
A group Mecklenburg County civic and goverment leaders are trying to change that.
Speaking at the Chamber's Friday Focus meeting last week, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Director Jim Garges and County Commissioner Karen Bentley updated local residents on plans to open Ramsey Creek Park for swimming.
On Aug. 4, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation officials will discuss the plans with the commissioners' natural resources committee.
The Board of Commissioners could vote on re-opening the swimming beaches at its regular meeting on Sept. 1.
"This is the first step to making the official decision, and we'll give the committee our research and background information," Garges said.
"After we get backing from the natural resources committee, we then have to apply for a FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) permit, which can be a long process."
Swimming at the Ramsey Creek Park is still probably two years away, he said.
Ramsey Creek was chosen as the first potential beach site due to its shallow water, protected cove and restroom facilities.
"It will take a little while to get the area prepared, because it is very small right now, but we're taking steps in the right direction," he said.
Garges will recommend that the swimming area be staffed with lifeguards.
"I don't believe 'Swim at your own risk' signs are a good idea at all," he said. "If we're going to open these beaches, I want as much protection as we can have."
It will cost $450,000 to $500,000 to upgrade and improve the beach site and the ongoing cost is estimated to be $80,000 to $90,000 per year.
"We've received a great amount of support, and really the only obstacle we would have is if neighbors protested, and we haven't received any complaints so far," he said.
Bentley said sales of concessions and an admission fee will help cover the operating costs.
"We want to be careful with fees," Cornelius Mayor Jeffrey Tarte added. "We don't want the beaches to be overrun, but we also don't want the costs to be prohibitive. ... The lake really is the centerpiece in this community."
Garges said the park will be able to hold 300 to 400 people at a time according to the current plans.
"We'll be expanding the parking and, of course, there's always more people on the grass than in the water, so there won't be a problem of overcrowding," he added.
In the future, other beaches could crop up in the Lake Norman community, such as Riverbend Access Area in Gaston County, Latta Plantation Nature Preserve in Mecklenburg County, Beatty's Ford Access Area in Lincoln County and Island Point Access Area in Catawba County.??
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