Chicago Kite Ban lifted!

[ricki]

The CPD, "Chicago park District" has lifted our kiteboarding ban on a test basis and if all goes well we will have full access the whole of next season.

This was done with carefull planning and negotiations by the city and our local team of kiteboarders assigned to work with the CPD.

Effective after the Labor Day weekend:

The Park District will lift the ban on a test basis (details below) and return Montrose Beach Kiteboarding to an "At Your Own Risk" activity that is neither endorsed nor prohibited by the city.

The Park District has asked us to implement our suggested program on a test basis which will be evaluated in the early spring of 2005, with the goal of keeping the beach open for the summer season 2005.

The Simple Plan-

1. Only PASA or IKO Level II (Intermediate) Certified Kiteboarders will be allowed to kite at Montrose Beach. This prohibits teaching kiteboarding or flying "traction" kites with students on Montrose Beach. See Details Below for Certification Process.

2. All Kiteboarders will follow generally accepted Kiteboarding Safety Practices and use attached Kite Safety Leashes. (No grab handles) 100 Foot Safety Zone from Occupied Beaches, Piers, and other Facilities while riding.

3. Kiteboarding allowed when bathing areas are closed. For the rest of the season for us, the bathing areas will always be closed.

4. Kiteboarding may be allowed by the Captain of the Guards at other times. This will apply if the Test Plan is approved for next summer.

As the guards will be gone after Labor Day, we will be self policing during this Test. We will all need to cooperate and enforce these rules or risk loosing the beach again next summer.

Insurance: We will continue to seek liability insurance through PASA. When available we will meet with the Park District to implement the insurance. The plan above contains all the elements of the requirements to get the insurance when it becomes available.

Mike Urban

reposted from kiteforum.com

[ricki]

The CPD, "Chicago park District" has lifted our kiteboarding ban on a test basis and if all goes well we will have full access the whole of next season.

This was done with carefull planning and negotiations by the city and our local team of kiteboarders assigned to work with the CPD.

Effective after the Labor Day weekend:

The Park District will lift the ban on a test basis (details below) and return Montrose Beach Kiteboarding to an "At Your Own Risk" activity that is neither endorsed nor prohibited by the city.

The Park District has asked us to implement our suggested program on a test basis which will be evaluated in the early spring of 2005, with the goal of keeping the beach open for the summer season 2005.

The Simple Plan-

1. Only PASA or IKO Level II (Intermediate) Certified Kiteboarders will be allowed to kite at Montrose Beach. This prohibits teaching kiteboarding or flying "traction" kites with students on Montrose Beach. See Details Below for Certification Process.

2. All Kiteboarders will follow generally accepted Kiteboarding Safety Practices and use attached Kite Safety Leashes. (No grab handles) 100 Foot Safety Zone from Occupied Beaches, Piers, and other Facilities while riding.

3. Kiteboarding allowed when bathing areas are closed. For the rest of the season for us, the bathing areas will always be closed.

4. Kiteboarding may be allowed by the Captain of the Guards at other times. This will apply if the Test Plan is approved for next summer.

As the guards will be gone after Labor Day, we will be self policing during this Test. We will all need to cooperate and enforce these rules or risk loosing the beach again next summer.

Insurance: We will continue to seek liability insurance through PASA. When available we will meet with the Park District to implement the insurance. The plan above contains all the elements of the requirements to get the insurance when it becomes available.

Mike Urban

reposted from kiteforum.com