Comments on: Column: Spring Rowing on Argo Pond

By: David Cahill

David Cahill — Tue, 04 May 2010 23:14:02 +0000

Don’t the City’s rules for Argo Pond forbid or restrict the use of electronic bullhorns?

By: Nan Stratos

Nan Stratos — Mon, 03 May 2010 14:25:45 +0000

I do appreciate your point of view #17 and I am not anti sports at all. However, traffic is one thing~we expect that and if this was a sports complex for rowers then I would expect traffic around that as well. It is not a sports complex for the schools however, so it is different than the Stadium or the Hockey fields or Chrysler Arena, or an event at one of the High Schools. This is the River and when I encounter someone else enjoying leisurely recreation on the river I highly respect their right to be there..If there were 10 rowers enjoying the river and then pulled out bullhorns and put motors on their boats I would call that activity inappropriate for the Huron River as well and I would say they are disturbing the peace and would be asking are motors even allowed on the River? Just because these rowers, with bullhorns and motors on the rowboats, are organized sports doesn’t make it any more appropriate.

By: Joe Edwards

Joe Edwards — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:55:05 +0000

I know that other revenues have been considered for rowing and Gallup Park was found to be short of rowable water (I’ve heard that 3000 meters is considered the minimum needed). The bridges at Gallup are also too narrow for rowing shells to pass through. It would also be very expensive to move the boathouse to Gallup Park.

My point is that you (and others) seem to be targeting rowing while you do not mention any problems with the noise and crowding associated with other sports/activities. Have you ever been around the high school football or baseball fields during practice or games? They can be very noisy and the traffic can backup. How you ever been inconvenienced by street closures due to road races? All are part of living in Ann Arbor and I like living in Ann Arbor.

There are some 200 to 300 hundred rowers (including Skyline, Huron and Pioneer High School teams, the U of M Men’s team, and the Ann Arbor Rowing Club) on Argo Pond between 3 PM and 8 PM every weekday afternoon from mid August to late October and mid March to late May. I am amazed at the organization and courtesy required by everyone involved to make that happen. I have seen kayaks and canoes on the water at the same time as the crew teams and they must follow the same navigational rules as everyone else to ensure everyone’s safety. Is it better when no one else is on the water and one can have the pond all to themselves? You betcha! But that does not happen very often in rowing season between 3 and 8 PM.

I think rowing on Argo Pond is one of the many things that make Ann Arbor unique and a more livable city.

By: Nan Stratos

Nan Stratos — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:21:15 +0000

Unfortunately there is no consideration given to the Kayakers on this stretch of the river and that is why I feel the way I do about Gallup Park being better suited for the Rowers. As I said it is not in a neighborhood and there are docks where they can access the river easily. People frequenting Gallup expect to see that type of activity there as it is a public recreational park.
I grew up in the neighborhood very near the Michigan Stadium and loved the activity the football games generate..I love the Huron River in my neighborhood now and would enjoy the peace and serenity it offers if not for the bullhorns and intrusive rowers.

By: Karen Kortesoja

Karen Kortesoja — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:00:05 +0000

I love seeing the rowers on Argo Pond and hope they stay where they are! It brings a vibrancy and life to this section of the river.

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 18:52:58 +0000

I was thinking about the Huron River Drive side, and yeah, I know about the railroad issue. Damn railroads! Doesn’t the UM Sailing club have a place on the BH side?

By: Kit Bennett

Kit Bennett — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:09:10 +0000

Rod,

That is something that has been looked at. Sadly access is a problem. The city land is too difficult to access due to the rail tracks and the other entry points to water fall under Barton Village. The village sadly does not want increased traffic due to a rowing team being added to the pond.

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:56:08 +0000

I wonder why rowers don’t use Barton Pond. Too windy? No facilities? Seems like a boathouse at Barton Park would be a possibility.

By: Joe Edwards

Joe Edwards — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:02:08 +0000

Using similar logic to #6 – I think traffic in town on football Saturdays is unbearable and demand the University of Michigan find someplace else to play!

By: Kit Bennett

Kit Bennett — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:50:57 +0000

Hi,

I am the Head Coach for Skyline Crew Team.

We have not been excluded from Argo and are currently practicing there every night. We will be looking for new water for the fall as there is a significant congestion issue. This I see only as a good thing, the expansion of the sport will have a positive impact on new students and members of the Ann Arbor community.

We are currently a club sport at Skyline and therefore not financially supported. The pay to play will make things difficult for us, but we will push on. We want as many kids as possible given the chance to see what a wonderful sport crew is.

I would welcome Dave to contact me to see how our brand new team is doing, these are exciting times for Skyline Crew. Our Spring racing schedule kicks off this weekend in Grand Rapids and will finish on May 15th with the State Championships.

I wish all the teams the best of luck this season!