Riverpark Ramp Open yet?

[ChooChooSnakeMan]

Anybody know if the ramp at Riverpark is open again or if it isn't when it is supposed to be?

 

[lafae7]

Following! Last I saw it closed. They are still in the works of getting it replaced.

 

[Smalliefan2]

Stopped Thursday. Access gate closed, dock is unusable. A float is missing, two are damaged, one tilted on it's side. Brackets around the posts are torn out, the dock is about a foot or two off the posts. Pretty much toast.

 

[Creedmoor]

I called a week or so ago and was told that the dock was beyond repair and they were going to get new one built. No estimate on how long it would be since it would depend on contractors but that they were going to do it as quickly as possible.

 

[rsimms]

I suggest everyone call or e-mail County Mayor Jim Coppinger <[email protected]> and/or Parks leadership Tom Lamb <[email protected]> and Lee Norris <[email protected]>.

Here's what I wrote the Mayor.

The heavy rains, flooding and high water was an extremely unusual event. Of course one result was the damage to the boat loading dock at the Tennessee Riverpark (Hubert Fry Park) boat ramp.

I know that issue might pale in comparison to other property destruction across our region. I am simply writing to express that the longterm closure of that boat ramp will ultimately have significant impact on hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Hamilton County citizens in the coming weeks or months. Of course it impacts my business as me and my guide partners use that facility frequently for the safety and convenience of our customers, many of which travel to Hamilton County specifically to fish with us.

I am simply writing to encourage you and other county government leaders to use all pertinent resources to insure the facility can be reopened at the earliest convenience.

We are fortunate to have two other boat launching facilities within striking range, but neither is as convenient, or as safe, as the Hubert Fry Ramp.

Thank you in advance for whatever you can do to see that the return of the Hubert Fry Boat Ramp to full working order is performed with all possible haste.

I will look forward to an update (or updates) from your office on a probable timetable for completion of the work.

Respectfully,
Richard Simms, President/Owner
Scenic City Fishing Charters, Inc.
District 7

His reply below indicated the Parks leadership would provide an update. Of course they have not to-date.

Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2019 21:49:02 +0000
From: Mayor Coppinger <[email protected]>
To: Richard Simms <[email protected]>
CC: Lamb, Tom <[email protected]>, Norris, Lee <[email protected]>

Thank you for your comments and concerns. I will pass it along to our leadership team in the parks department and have them give you an update. Again thanks.
Jim

Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 1, 2019, at 2:02 PM, Richard Simms <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> Richard Simms
> [email protected]
> 423-509-4655
> Dear Mayor Coppinger,
>

 

[ChooChooSnakeMan]

Richard, thanks for your efforts to encourage the reopening of the Riverpark ramp. We all need to follow your lead and let our elected officials know in a respectful way that the ramp being down impacts many people as you stated. I went by there on Saturday morning and it is still closed with no signs or indications of a reopen time. I think they should post a sign at the entrances to the park on Amnicola that the ramp is closed as a courtesy to maybe save someone from entering the park and driving to the ramp with boat in tow.

 

[drdetroit]

Jim Coppinger is my neighbor I get his mail and he gets mine. I think I will drop him a line !
Thanks, Richard

Dr Detroit

 

[mdjbro]

I haven’t had a chance to go yet, has the DuPont/Rivermont ramp been cleaned up and some much needed safety rail replacement done or fixed?

 

[lafae7]

Most likely not. These things take awhile as they most likely take a vote into consideration as it pulls money from somewhere else I believe.

 

[Silverfish]

No one has lifted a finger to repair the dock, who keeps them up ?

 

[Lx545]

It looked to me from afar both docks at riverpark are trashed. I am doubting they are in any hurry to repair them.

 

[WaterChap]

Thanks for the encouragement to call the County Mayor, Richard. I will certainly call or write him ASAP. He may have no idea what kind of traffic the ramp gets. Maybe they could open the Duck ramp to us downtown! I’d love to see piles of boat trailers on the waterfront!

 

[Creedmoor]

I sent an email to the parks department and this is the response I got today:

"We are working on getting quotes for a replacement dock for the boat ramp.

As far as a time frame I’m not sure when it will be reopened."