Turtle Bay Exploration Park – What’s Next?
About Redding
July 20th, 2008
A recent editorial in the Record Searchlight titled “Importance of Turtle Bay not tied to figure” is a reminder to those of us who have enjoyed living in this area for many years just how much the Redding area has matured. With the addition of the Sundial Bridge, Sacramento River trail and Turtle Bay Exploration Park our City is experiencing a growth in cultural, recreational and educational opportunities that have transformed us from a small town indistinguishable from so many others to a vibrant, culturally diverse city.
Everybody has an opinion on Turtle Bay and what direction it should take. I have often considered what changes or additions I would make if I had that ability. The exhibits like “Titanic” or “Bodies Revealed” are wonderful and certainly have great value but are temporary and provide no lasting anchor for Turtle Bay. The Sundial Bridge designed by world renowned architect Santiago Calatrava is certainly a compelling draw for locals and tourists alike but how many repeat visitors does it attract? Do people come to Redding to see the famous bridge or are they simply stopping along the way to have a look?
I believe that one of the things that make’s Redding unique is our proximity to so many rivers and streams that can be fished or floated. Imagine if we were to take advantage of our location as a hub to several major whitewater-kayaking rivers with a Whitewater Park & Kayak Training Center at Turtle Bay. The park could take advantage of the plentiful water of the Sacramento River as well as provide for cleanup and restoration of an area still bearing the scars of gold dredging performed in the early 1900’s and gravel mining during the construction of Shasta Dam.
Using the U.S. National White Water Center in North Carolina and the Truckee River Whitewater Park as models of what works and just as importantly what does not work, a facility could be designed that enhanced the habitat of Turtle Bay and served as a recreational destination anchor to attract tourism by hosting events, training and competition. Companies like the McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group have been building this type of project for some time, with great success. Certainly Kayaking enthusiasts from all over the west coast could enjoy utilizing a facility such as this with the added advantage of day trips to some of the world class natural whitewater river runs in our region. And it’s not just kayakers who would visit our town. In only it’s 4th year the Reno River Festival drew over 32,000 spectators to a 3 day event.
At any rate, that’s my idea. What’s yours? If you have ever had an idea for enhancing the draw and success of Turtle Bay Exploration Park I invite you to share it here. Who knows? Perhaps by sharing your idea it will come true!
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