Lake Hefner Area

[Jack]

I bet soonerbent and keving miss the mound of dirt that once sat where Harkin's Theater now sits in Bricktown.

[SoonerBent]

I bet soonerbent and keving miss the mound of dirt that once sat where Harkin's Theater now sits in Bricktown.

Actually, I love Bricktown. We go down there at least twice a month. That was a depressed, dead area until it was developed as an attraction. Lake Hefner is not. I have zero problems with developing an area where no other existing activities are compromised or eliminated.

SB

[keving]

So, just require all businesses to be streetside, and trails to be lakeside. We simply need some ordinances for developing land on the lake. That's all. It can work. Louie's is proof it can work.

Again, restrict development to the east side of the lake around the East Wharf Development.

So far, I like what they have done with East Wharf. However, there can be too much development. If you continue to develop the lake, then where are people going to fly their kites? Currently, the area south of East Wharf is this is done. Where are the windsurfers and other kiteboarders going to setup? Currently, they use the area to the north of East Wharf.

If the area is developed more, where will they go?

[keving]

I bet soonerbent and keving miss the mound of dirt that once sat where Harkin's Theater now sits in Bricktown.

I like Bricktown as well. I'm down there at least once a week to watch a movie, go to a club or eat at a restaraunt. I also drive through there at least three times a week on my way to the new Chesapeake Boathouse.

[Jack]

So far, I like what they have done with East Wharf. However, there can be too much development. If you continue to develop the lake, then where are people going to fly their kites? Currently, the area south of East Wharf is this is done. Where are the windsurfers and other kiteboarders going to setup? Currently, they use the area to the north of East Wharf.

If the area is developed more, where will they go?

I see your point. I'm not asking for too much more development. As has already been mentioned, maybe a kite shop, bike shop, and surf shop to go along with what we already have there. I'd also like to see more places to rent boats; maybe a nice marina.

How would you feel about developing the lake more like Arcadia. More picnic areas, camping areas, etc.

How about a swim beach? I suppose that might take away from the beauty of the lake though.

[keving]

I see your point. I'm not asking for too much more development. As has already been mentioned, maybe a kite shop, bike shop, and surf shop to go along with what we already have there. I'd also like to see more places to rent boats; maybe a nice marina.

Yes, I would love to see a place to rent kayaks or canoes, maybe even paddle boats. On the south side, there is the YMCA Sailing and there used to be another sailing place but I believe they closed last year.

When my aunt from California was down last fall, she was very surprised there was no kayak rental.

How would you feel about developing the lake more
like Arcadia. More picnic areas, camping areas, etc.

More picnic areas would be nice. I know there is already a problem with homosexual activity, so I'm not sure about the camping areas. Not that there's anything wrong with that, its just that a public area is not the right place.

How about a swim beach? I suppose that might take away from the beauty of the lake though.

I know swimming is illegal in the lake which might be due to the fact that it is water supply for OKC.

[Patrick]

More picnic areas would be nice. I know there is already a problem with homosexual activity, so I'm not sure about the camping areas. Not that there's anything wrong with that, its just that a public area is not the right place.

A former elementary teacher of mine was actually arrested at Lake Hefner for public indecency with another man.

I know swimming is illegal in the lake which might be due to the fact that it is water supply for OKC.

I don't really see the issue there. Arcadia Lake is water supply for Edmond.

[Patrick]

I'd also like to see a place to rent canoes, paddle boats, etc. I second the idea for a small marina to rent sail boats, motor boats, etc. I wouldn't be opposed to a nice bait and tackle store if it was unique, and not too large.

[keving]

I don't really see the issue there. Arcadia Lake is water supply for Edmond.

I know... I'm not really sure why swimming is not allowed. There are lakes that are used for water supply that allow swimming and then there are others that don't allow swimming. So, I'm not entirely sure why swimming is illegal.

I don't believe that pwc, skiing or wakeboarding are allowed either. But this is nice... cuts down on noise pollution and I don't believe the lake is big enough to allow for it.

[SoonerBent]

I see your point. I'm not asking for too much more development. As has already been mentioned, maybe a kite shop, bike shop, and surf shop to go along with what we already have there. I'd also like to see more places to rent boats; maybe a nice marina.

How would you feel about developing the lake more like Arcadia. More picnic areas, camping areas, etc.

How about a swim beach? I suppose that might take away from the beauty of the lake though.

The kiters, sail boarders, sailors, cyclists and also a number of bike shop and boating shop owners are exactly the people who are against development. There have been a couple of attempts at boat rentals/schools that failed.

More outdoor recreation type improvements would be welcomed with open arms.

Camping and swimming are against city ordinance and it has been made clear by the city that those will never be considered. This is due to the primary reason for the lakes existance being water supply.

SB

[Patrick]

I do agree with one thing Jack mentioned. Allowing swimming does destroy the beauty of a lake. The swim beaches at Arcadia always look like a trashy mess. I'd rather not allow swimming at Hefner.

[Patrick]

This is due to the primary reason for the lakes existance being water supply.
SB

Again, that may be the reason given, but it's not accurate. Arcadia Lake has 3 swim beaches and is used as the water supply for the city of Edmond.

[Patrick]

Sorry guys. Looks like more commercial development is already taking place.

Jack, this is absolutely hilarious, but scarey all at the same time.

[SoonerBent]

I think the real reason for no swimming is civil liability. Even this doesn't hold water. No pun intended.

The boat rentals didn't make it due to lack of interest compared to cost to do business. Canoe or kayak rentals would have the same problem. You have to rent a lot of canoes to cover 5 mil. in liability insurance because someone might sue you for not giving them a 100 hour "How to canoe safely" course before a $20 rental.

SB

[keving]

The boat rentals didn't make it due to lack of interest compared to cost to do business. Canoe or kayak rentals would have the same problem. You have to rent a lot of canoes to cover 5 mil. in liability insurance because someone might sue you for not giving them a 100 hour "How to canoe safely" course before a $20 rental.

Agreed. I actually looked up what it would take to start a canoe/kayak rental business and it the ROI just isn't there for this area. Perhaps, it might work out if it were combined with a multi-sport rental/repair/sales shop.

[jbrown84]

I think that any more development on the lake should be very carefully considered. We have lots of good places for commercial development. Maybe Lake Hefner should remain a mostly recreational destination. The land to the south of the lake has some small tributaries and lots of trees and in my opinion it should not be touched, except maybe a few more trails or picnic areas. The land to the north of the lake has some of the best mountain biking trails in the state and it should remain city owned parkland, although I wouldn't be opposed to some recreation-related commercial development or other improvements. Besides, there is no view of the lake from this area, so it doesn't really make the best location for hotels or restaurants/shops. I guess they'd have the view of those fish hatchery ponds.

[shane453]

I'm all for high density hotels, residences, and offices in a concentrated area on the east shore. They could work the recreational trails through it along the shore. The commercial and retail establishments would flourish because of the recreational facilities- the recreation facilities would flourish because of increased traffic. Winwin, unless you don't want it to happen.

This is a prime area for OKC and if it were to be developed it would need to be planned VERY carefully, moreso than any previous development. For instance, Site A for a hotel, site b and d for office highrises, and site c for a high-end multiunit residential development, no building within 20 feet of the shore...

[Jack]

it would need to be planned VERY carefully

Let Randy Hogan take care of it. I'm sure he can handle this one. He's an excellent planner, don't ya think?

[jbrown84]

Yeah, Hogan's definitely the man for this job. [sarcasm]

[Jack]

I was being sarcastic as well.

If we leave Lake Hefner in its current state, and show Charles Barkley, it will most likely boost his opinion that OKC is vast wasteland.

[BG918]

The YMCA Sailing Center is about to expand and build a new facility on the adjacent peninsula, at least once they get the funding together. Maybe the city can help them out?

[Jack]

The YMCA Sailing Center is about to expand and build a new facility on the adjacent peninsula, at least once they get the funding together. Maybe the city can help them out?

Why should the city help them out? I'm tired of the city helping out private companies.

[jbrown84]

If we leave Lake Hefner in its current state, and show Charles Barkley, it will most likely boost his opinion that OKC is vast wasteland.

What in the world does that mean? If I saw a lake with parks and trails and trees around it, alond with some nice restaurants, marinas, etc, I would in no way consider that a vast wasteland.

This is a vast wasteland:

[Jack]

Look at the east side of Lake Hefner. You see a pile of rocks stacked up along the banks. Looks like the sides of a ditch. How natural and beautiful- NOT! Trees on the east side are very small. The east side of the lake is very flat. No scenery at all.

[Jack]

Pour a little water in there and you have the east banks of Lake Hefner.