Lake Access - The issue that will not go away! Public group plans to "stack" the public comment at the Community Culture Summit meetings.

To All COLA LO Members,

The community continues to weigh in on the issue of public access to the lake.  Online citizen comment is very strong with many questioning why the city does not address the issue with a final statement and clarity.  Residents are legitimately concerned that this issue distracts the community from much needed efforts and may waste taxpayer dollars. 

Another article appeared this week in the review:  Public Right or Privilege

In addition we have learned that a local organization is sending out blast emails to non LO residents asking them to "occupy" the new community culture summit meetings so they can stack the comments which will impact our comprehensive plan.    Its just one more attempt to manipulate an LO process to create the appearance of support for an issue. 

The blast email sent to non LO residents by this group is below :

Speak Up On Oswego Lake Access

Next Thursday, November 3rd is the first "Community Culture Summit" for the Lake Oswego Comprehensive Plan.  The "Recreation Topic Area" will be discussed, and Oswego Lake represents a huge opportunity to greatly expand recreational access for the community.

The State of Oregon recently confirmed Oswego Lake is a public resource that could be legally accessed from existing public lakefront parks.  However, the City's current practice is to build fences, gates, and other barriers to limit public access in favor of a private corporation that claims ownership of the lake. Read more in today's Lake Oswego Review.  

The Community Culture Summit is the best opportunity for you paddlers out there to voice your support for public property rights.  At the "Recreation Topic Area", let the City know that Oswego Lake is a public resource that should be open to paddlers for recreation.

Date:  Thursday November 3, 2011 

Place:  Lake Oswego High School Library
Time:  5:30-6:00 pm community "mixer"
6:00-8:00 Workshop  

*Parents with young children...supervised children activities will be provided!

In addition to being a fun and healthy way to experience nature, reconnecting paddlers with Oswego Lake would foster education and stewardship of the Oswego Lake watershed.  Millions of public dollars are already invested in Oswego Lake annually to meet Clean Water Act requirements.  If access were expanded, even more could be done to preserve and enhance this precious urban resource. 

For more details on the Community Culture Summit visit: welovelakeoswego.com