Rork Kuick

Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 3:17 p.m.

Don't misconstrue, I didn't reconsider. I still think wicked is a fine word for it, just as it's wicked to pour motor oil down a street drain, despite it being in my immediate personal best interest. I do not imagine some gods disapproving, just plants, animals, and people both now and in future.

Charley Sullivan

Mon, Sep 21, 2009 : 6:15 p.m.

Thank you for the reconsideration. I'll disagree about bad or short-sited, but it is a far-sight from "wicked."

Rork Kuick

Mon, Sep 21, 2009 : 1:18 p.m.

I could say "bad", "short-sighted" or "ill-considered" if it could get you to consider the point, rather than belabor the word choice. I did want it to capture the failure to care for the environment though. Not so sure who is witch hunting.

Charley Sullivan

Sun, Sep 20, 2009 : 2:42 p.m.

Rork: "I do not ask my fellow citizens to do wicked and expensive things to fix that..." wicked?? Interesting word choice. So clearly a word from religion not science; And the witchhunt has begun. Thanks for taking this to a whole new level. Please reconsider.

Rork Kuick

Wed, Sep 16, 2009 : 2:51 p.m.

Tru2Blu76's findings are not at all clear. Joggers, cyclists, and families will still be able to enjoy that area when the dam is gone, and get to see a free-flowing river as well. We will still be able to circumnavigate it by foot. I expect those opportunities will increase with dam removal - I would certainly go there more. Motor boats may not be sensible I admit. Good. Tru2Blu actually uses the argument that it is strategically located for walkers and cyclists as if the place will fly away if we remove the dam. Come on! If you do not see excess weeds perhaps you are not looking or can't tell aquatic plants apart. As for the set-backs, paths go right along the river in the free-flowing stretch downstream from there in parkland. That said, 100 feet from the river is probably smart. That Argo is not an eyesore may depend on what you are comparing it too. Compared to free-flowing stretches I contend that it is poor, but I can tell cardinal flower from chicory and value them rather differently. Please people, go and visit Delhi, Dexter-Huron, and Hudson Mills if you arent sure what the river is really worth. We need not rush for "full development", though the land is so close to so many people that highly developed park is likely its eventual somewhat-lamentable fate. But that is our choice. We can be cheap and just plant trees if we'd rather. Volunteers would appear. That someone needs to advocate for Argo dam is true though - the rowers. It's not my wish to pay for and live with anti-ecological dams to support rowing. The city is not very good for mountaineering, marlin fishing, or downhill skiing either, but I do not ask my fellow citizens to do wicked and expensive things to fix that.

Tru2Blu76

Mon, Aug 31, 2009 : 3:53 a.m.

Sunday, August 30th - I spent four hours walking completely around Argo Pond. I took 120 photos and about half an hour of video. Throughout that time, I encountered many joggers, cyclists and families strolling along the shoreline of Argo Pond. In addition to the "infamous" rowing crews, there were motor boats, canoes and kayaks on the water. I saw at least six people fishing at various points- on the water and from the shore. I saw a musician practicing there. There were other photographers there too. I saw NO "excess weeds" (water plants) and there was NO odor from the pond at any point, regardless of wind direction. There are numerous observation points around the pond - along the paths which enable complete circumnavigation on foot. In addition, there are several small "picnic" areas at points around the pond. My findings make clear: Argo Pond is a multi-use recreational area with significant esthetic appeal (which could be enhanced further). The impoundment is used by many others besides the rowing crews (which I understand number 600 hundred members). It is located strategically where residents of the North end of Ann Arbor can easily access it on foot and by bicycle. I myself live within 20 minutes walk and go there as often as time allows. The argument that says that Argo Dam and Argo Pond are an eyesore falls flat. Even the mill race (used as a portage by canoeists from Argo Dam to Broadway Bridge) is at least rustically scenic and in fact provides "visual insulation" from the urban area lying so close by. So, I argue that Argo Pond is already a significant parkland resource which is used at least as heavily as other parks along the Huron River in Ann Arbor. On the other side: the argument that we would gain more parkland (est. at 50 acres) and gain additional "white water canoeing" is ACTUALLY A THEORY, a projection based on the optimistic desires of what turns out to be not quite half of the people surveyed on this topic. No one I know has shown a hydrographic map of the original channel of the river: so there's no actual proof that the river would be "white water" along that stretch. Also - the EXISTING park provisions would be "set back" from the river by at least 100 feet on either side of the river! Where would Argo Canoe Livery be in relation to the river bank if the pond were drained?? The same applies to the paths (both paved and unpaved) which now exist - at the water's edge!! Finally - none of the 'add parkland' group have made clear how long it would be from when the time of the pond was drained to the full development of this "fifty acres." It turns out that the question isn't quite what many thought - there is much more reason to keep the dam and pond than some have said. I urge all those who currently find Argo Dam and Argo Pond worth keeping to make these facts known to city council and to the general public. Someone needs to advocate for Argo Pond!

Matt Van Auker

Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 9:02 a.m.

Now, I'm depressed. I don't know what they should do. There better be, at least, some kind of walkway, or something. And remove the old, nasty concrete. Maybe improve the trails. I don't know, the dam's in good shape. Maybe a new, I don't know, whatever. You kill the dam, you're gonna piss off a lot of people.