View RSS Feed

Fly Rodding the Ocean State

State plans to sell Colt State Park as part of fiscal auterity plan

Rate this Entry
4 Comments
by
Jenks
, 10-22-2010 at 02:57 PM (437 Views)
Bob Oberg is a kayak fishing specialist and here he nails the explanation of why voting yes for Referendum #4 is a good idea for fish and fishermen in a post on the SNESA Board

"Rocky Point is the last great property on the bay! It is a mile long! It is like getting Colt State Park on the west bay, minus the landscaping. This opportunity will never come again. It is shocking that we have a chance now. The only reason this property is available is because the economy is so terrible that developer's have not been able to gentrify it. We will not be able to afford it when the economy comes back, but the developers will. From an environmental and a public access point of view, this is one of the few the silver linings associated with living in a state that has one of the worst economies in the midst the worst national economy in most of our lifetimes. There are not many things we could do with public money that will yield as large a return as this investment. I understand the argument that money is tight and we need to control spending, and I agree with that in general. I believe this is one of the great exceptions to that wisdom. When all is said and done, the value of the land will be worth way more than the principle and interest paid. This is as close to a sure bet as you are likely to see in real estate and in bond issues. It is also about quality of life. It is like knowing you have the fish of a lifetime on the line and wanting to do everything right so that you don't regret your mistake for years to come."

Bob

PS. Let me put it another way. If you woke up and the headlines in tomorrow's paper were "STATE PLANS TO SELL COLT STATE PARK AS PART OF FISCAL AUTERITY PLAN" how many of you would think that would be a great idea?
Tags: None Add / Edit Tags
Categories
Conservation News , Conservation

Comments

  1. ATheall's Avatar
    I'm not local so I'm not sure what's being proposed? To sell Colt State Park or to buy some other parcel? Who would be buying it in that case? The state?
  2. Jenks's Avatar
    I'm being sensational to make a point. Now is the once in a lifetime chance to preserve a beautiful piece of the Bay in Rocky Point with Referendum #4.
    How nuts would it be to sell Colt State Park? The value in preserving open space and access is hard to realize until it is gone. Vote Yes on #4. Good for fish and fishermen.
  3. ATheall's Avatar
    Gotcha- Well I'd vote for it, but I don't live in RI which is a problem.
  4. fishchris's Avatar
    From the Save The Bay E-newletter

    "Save Our Shore - Rocky Point


    On November 2, Rhode Island voters will have a unique opportunity to expand the public’s access and use of Narragansett Bay by 83 acres by approving the $14.7 million open space and recreation bond, Question #4 on the general ballot. Join Save The Bay in supporting three significant acquisitions/improvements:
    • ROCKY POINT, WARWICK $10 million will be used to acquire 81 acres at the former Rocky Point Amusement Park to create a public park.
    • INDIA POINT PARK, PROVIDENCE $3.2 million will be used to acquire property at 25 India Street (formerly Shooters nightclub), adjacent to India Point Park, for use as a public recreation gateway to the Bay.
    • FORT ADAMS, NEWPORT $1.5 million will be set aside to repair interior spaces at Fort Adams to allow greater public access and use of the Fort’s dramatic parade grounds with the goal of integrating the main fortification into the surrounding state park.
    There are many ways to participate in the campaign, including posting lawn signs and bumper stickers, passing out flyers in your neighborhood, volunteering at local events or polling stations on election day and writing letters of support to your local newspaper.
    Volunteer on Election Day Save The Bay is coordinating volunteers willing to advocate for Question #4 on the Nov. 2 ballot. It's the bond to acquire and enhance shoreline properties at Rocky Point, India Point and Fort Adams. Do your part for the Bay by donating some time at the neighborhood polling place where you cast your vote. Hold up a sign to remind voters to "Save Our Shore - Vote Yes on 4!" Call Stephany at 272-3540,ext. 130, to "sign" up. (Click the logo to learn more about the bond and what it means for the Bay's future.)
    Please visit SaveOurShoreRI.org to learn more about the bond issue and how you can get involved.


    The Bay Needs Your Support"