Discussed status of Gorge survey, priority of areas and what to do next.

• Group decided that we should ask for access to both the east and west areas that are north of the river.
• Due to the traffic and environmental considerations we will not ask for the areas in the immediate vicinity of Mary Campbell Cave.
• In the next week or two, a small group will go back to take detailed pictures and take a second look at the proposed areas indicated, as well as see if there is any additional rock that was missed.  Further, they will get close-up pictures of the cliff bases, trails, rock and any other items that may be useful in our proposal.
•  The Gorge proposal will be written in the next month or two to be submitted to the park service.  Its focus will be on the proposed climbing areas, and not on items such as bolting regulation, liability and climbing management.
• During the next month information useful for future presentations to the park board will be assembled.  This includes details on bolting and other clinics, bolting liability, park management, and the effect of a personal liability insurance requirement on park liability.
• Grand Ledge, McConnells Mill, Coopers Rock, Lisbon Quarry and other locations were mentioned as possible locations whose park management should be looked into.

Discussed the potential for a Whipp’s Ledges cleanup, climbing day and climbing competition.

• It was decided that all the events are a good idea, but none of the attendees has the time to lead the climbing competition effort until the fall.
• A Whipp’s Ledges clean-up and climbing day will be set up in the next month or two.  Similarly a Gorge clean-up will be set up.

It was brought up that there is a Northeast Ohio climbing group on meetup.com.  It was agreed that NEOCC members should join and try to get the members involved in some of our activities as well.

In anticipation of their questions I gave a short presentation intended to cover what generally seems to be the 3 biggest questions/concerns for landowners in the region.  These are 1. why allow climbing, 2. liability and 3. environmental impact.  The presentation and minutes (as recorded by MPSSC) are linked at the bottom of this post.

The big take away from this meeting is that MPSSC is generally interested in allowing climbing within the Gorge Metro Park (Liberty Park was ruled out due to restrictions associated with the parks funding).  However, in order for climbing to become a reality there are many details to work out including environmental, rescue, insurance and other user group impact, as well as how to manage liability.  At this time MPSSC feels that they have a grasp on what climbing is, what it means within the context of the park and what its impacts and benefits are.  Now we (MPSSC and NEOCC) are ready to start looking into the finer details.

Assuming that we can find a solution that meets everyone’s needs, climbing at the Gorge is a real possibility.  Finally, it was indicated that this climbing location (if allowed) would be a test case, with the possibility of more climbing opportunities in the future.

Climbing Overview

Meeting Minutes Final-author_S_Hasenstab

LINK TO AKRON BEACON JOURNAL ARTICLE

Dear Sir or Madame,

I write today on behalf of the Northeast Ohio Climbers Coalition (NEOCC) to make several formal recommendations pertaining to rock climbing and stewardship within Metro Parks Serving Summit County (MPSSC). It is our belief that allowing technical rock climbing will have many benefits and can be done in a safe, cost effective manner that aligns with the MPSSC mission to provide the public with safe, outdoor recreational opportunities.

Who We Are

The NEOCC is a local organization whose mission is to ensure public access to rock climbing areas by working with the climbing community, authorities, landowners and property managers while encouraging environmental conservation and responsible climbing. We are a local affiliate of the Access Fund, the national advocacy organization representing over 1.6 million climbers nationwide.

Introduction and Purpose

As part of its core mission, MPSSC has long permitted the public to participate in numerous recreational activities within its reservations, however climbing has been prohibited leaving a large amount of potential high quality resources unutilized. Climbing is considered a “welcome and historical use” by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish & Wildlife Service, and Army Corp of Engineers. It is also a low impact activity with more than 6.5 million annual U.S. participants. In the last several years, participation in urban activities such as road running and biking has remained flat or decreased, while nature based activities have seen significant growth . The sport of rock climbing grew 6% in 2008 , which translates to over 40,000 participants in Northeast Ohio. With the increase in recreational use, many national and state parks and forests throughout the United States have implemented climbing management guidelines to prevent user conflict, environmental degradation and to ensure an enjoyable experience for every climbing enthusiast and visitor.

In the section that follows, the NEOCC makes several recommendations pertaining to rock climbing access and the stewardship of its participants. Each recommendation is followed by its associated justifications. These recommendations preserve the historic, cultural and environmental resources of the MPSSC and ensure the park’s core policies are adhered to.

Recommended Plan of Action

Recommendation #1: Permit rock climbing in designated areas of the Gorge Metro Park.
• The NEOCC is willing to assist in any associated costs such as the purchase of new signs.
• Nationwide research by the Access Fund found no record of any legal action ever having been filed in this country in which an injured climber sued a landowner or an agency on the basis of premises liability. This is a result of the broad liability limitations that are provided for landowners, land managers, and agencies that permit and provide for recreation opportunities such as climbing.
• Caving, kayaking, mountain biking, canyoneering, and rock climbing are but a few examples of the types of activities that fall under heightened scrutiny for risk management. In an age when outdoor activities have been overly sensationalized by the media, the perception of risk associated with these activities is often overstated and misunderstood.
• Climbing tourism contributes to the economic vitality of a community by boosting retail, restaurant, hotel, gas and grocery sales.

Recommendation #2: Organize a small, informal climbing committee composed of park management & staff, several to-be-nominated NEOCC members, and the regional coordinator for the Access Fund. The committee would meet annually, or on an as-needed basis, to establish and organize volunteer events, respond to management concerns, establish priorities for the year, develop a climbing management plan, review climbing policy recommendations and adjust policy to meet any new conditions or concerns.
• Establishes a process for management plan creation, as well as review and revision if needed.
• Allows for ongoing communication, exchange of ideas, and problem resolution.
• Will help to plan efficient, targeted maintenance and clean-up efforts by volunteers.
• A united recreation community, which includes climbers and other recreation groups can be a powerful, effective voice for increased federal, state and local funding.

Recommendation #3: Implement a planned trail system for accessing the boulders and cliffs of the designated climbing areas to prevent the use of unofficial trails.
• Unofficial trails cause erosion and damage to plants and trees.
• A trail network can be laid out that provides access into areas of interest while reducing environmental impact. All users must be encouraged and educated to stay on established trails.
• Legitimate use of these areas will discourage the vandalism and other illegal activities currently occurring.
• The NEOCC is available to help with the associated labor of creating the new trail system.

Recommendation #4: Organize an annual volunteer day at each area, which includes general trash clean-up, graffiti removal, maintenance of trails or any other projects deemed desirable by MPSSC.
• Provides for on-going efforts to maintain climbing resources and keeps climbers aware and actively involved.
• Builds community support, investment and stewardship in the park and provides for maintenance that the park might not otherwise be able to complete.

Recommendation #5: Add information to the existing kiosks at the parking areas including general safety and conservation messages, local climbing policy, area specific education on particular hazards, environmental concerns and code of conduct expected by all users.
• Education and communication is crucial to explain what is going on, as well as how climbers and other users can help. The vast majority of users will support guidelines if they are informed and understand them.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We will be attending the November 17th Board of Park Commissioners meeting to discuss the recommendations and how to proceed.

When: Nov 17, 2010. 12(noon)-2pm.

Where: Sand Run Administrative Offices, 975 Treaty Line Rd., Akron, Ohio 44313

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