South Fork Landing along with Cascade Raft are going to build a Whitewater Park in Garden Valley along the South Fork Payette. The interesting piece of the package is it's going to be private. According the the SFL press release,The park is open to residents and guests of Southfork Landing and Cascade Raft and Kayak.
The idea of a private park opens a lot of questions. First is the ... big question: can I buy a season pass?
Of course everyone suspects the powers that be will divert the South Fork into the private enclaves of the rich and famous leaving us poor folk to the a dry riverbed and facing the hordes of boogy boarders at the Gutter. That isn't the case. Which brings up the pressing question among the Ruby Ridge Regulars: "how can they do that?!" Well they can do that because it's their land and their water.
Along with the whitewater park, SFL is building four miles of private put-n-take trout streams. The plan is for all of this to be on private land using private water as well. Residents won't even need a fishing license.
The trout streams, private as they are, address some concerns about the loss of critical winter game habitat to upwardly mobile ruby ridge wannabes. It's hard to see how trout streams are going to help the elk and deer make it through the winter. But trout are cool and my private trout are even cooler.
Along with approval from the Boise County Realtors Association locally know as the Boise County Commissioners, FEMA, out of the blue, revamped the floodplain status along the Payette and opened up another 12 estate lots on a contested island in the river. Before the surprise FEMA rollover, SFL was out an estimated 10 million in island lot sales. With the additional 10 million all but in the bank, the permits in line, and lining up, it's just a matter of time before the whitewater faithful will be throwing ends on their own private Idaho. For all appearances it looks to be a well thought out plan that will go through hell or highwater (As FEMA has officially ruled out highwater for the next 500 years it must be hell). It's time to stop whining and queue up for your chance to lay out your dollaritos and queue up again in the eddy. The rumor of having to apply for membership and wear a shirt with collars and no loud clothing is probably just that. Nonetheless when buying next years paddling gear, Kayak Idaho recommends Patagonia earth tone lifejackets and for apre surf -- Izods. Penny loafers are said to help as well. These will be on sale at the SFL whitewater shop.
And for those of you who want a piece of the action, a few whitewater park frontage lots are still available. Starting at 219 k. Be sure to say Kayak Idaho sent you so we get our commission!
- The whole story at SouthFork Landing
- The park design.
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