The sign near the Waverly Lake boat ramp banned private boating while the city operated its paddle boats last summer. The photo was taken on June 15, 2024.
Last spring a sign at Waverly Lake caught my eye, so I got off the bike and took its picture. Now the sign’s message has been superseded by events.
The sign may have been there for years, but I had never noticed it before. It said that private boats or “watercrafts” were prohibited on Waverly Lake while the City of Albany operated its paddle boat rentals. The rental season started in June and would last through September.
All that is no longer in effect. Here’s the message City Manager Peter Troedsson included in his report to the city council last Friday:
“Due to rising operating costs, decreases in sponsorship, hotter and smokier summers, and aging equipment, paddle boats on Waverly Lake have been suspended this summer. Without an increase in funding for the program, it’s not sustainable. The lake is still open and accessible to people and their own kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, RC boats, etc. during park hours.”
The city’s parks and recreation department started renting half a dozen paddle boats and a canoe at Waverly Lake in 1980, the first summer after the park around the lake got a major renovation.
In 1996 the city purchased new paddle boats. And in recent years the operation had been sponsored in part by Coastal Farm & Home Supply.
I didn’t get a chance to ask details about all the circumstances cited by Troedsson for the rentals to be suspended. The only upside I can see is that now the little lake will be available for people using boats of their own. (hh)
The city’s paddle boat rental operation at Waverly Lake in August 2022.
Bet if this was downtown it would still operate. Get with it Albany. You’re killing this town
Tippy canoe and Hering too!
What about the duck? Did it get fixed?
What about the duck?
Weren’t you at the last city BBQ. The duck was there
Wow. I guess if we want nice things we will need to pay for them.
Everyone get together volunteer if the stuff needs kept up let’s all get together volunteer our time and keep it open
Their union wouldn’t allow such shenanigans. It makes their employees look bad when mere mortals do a better job.