Parks board to re-start kayak program

Following a years’ long lapse in the Point Roberts park district’s kayak program, it appears 2020 will be the blessed year for those who want to get back onto the waters surrounding the Point. The program had foundered due to problems with getting instructor/co-ordinators and a place to locate the kayaks and associated equipment.

After a concerted effort by parks commissioners Holly Robinson and Dan Schroeder, it appears those problems have been solved and those who go down to the sea in ships (or kayaks) will soon be able to do so. Speaking at a special parks board meeting on June 29, Robinson told fellow commissioners that the Whatcom County parks department had agreed to allow the kayaks and trailer to be located at Lighthouse Marine Park (LMP) without charge; a change from previous years. “Meghan (Kelly, LMP park ranger) is going to advocate putting the trailer close to the boat launch,” Robinson said, making it easier for people to carry the kayaks to the water’s edge. “Meghan feels incredibly strong about putting them there.”

Use of the kayaks initially will be limited to Point Roberts property owners and residents of Whatcom County. “If the program proves successful, we’ll consider opening it up to others,” said Robinson in a follow-up phone call with the All Point Bulletin.

There will be no charge for using the kayaks but paddlers will have to sign a liability waiver as well as to schedule usage with James McCallum, the parks district co-ordinator. Whatcom County is presently working on an inter-agency agreement to allow the siting of the kayaks on county parks property and Robinson told commissioners she expected the program would start sailing around the first of August. With luck, the program can be running from August through October, she said.

Robinson credited local resident and neighbor Matt Wang for the initial inspiration to revive the kayak program. “He asked me last year if there was any way the kayak program could get restarted,” she said.