As most know I am a Knoxville / Oak Ridge resident. Its a great area for boaters but has a horendous local government that accomplishes next to nothing. Always been that way, always will be.

So as a paddler, I am fully aware that what this town needs more than anything else is a playspot. Something that runs frequently, easy to get to, and possibly even with enough overhead light to allow night playing. Hell Dallas can have one (even if its horrible water quality), why can't Knoxville. I don't need 1000 cfs, I don't need Rock Island quality, I just need a place to sit in the boat after work for an hour or two. In my mind, the more secret - the better.

So I have found 2 spots where I think I can all by my lonesome, make a quality playspot that satisfies my requirements. One is known by a select few, the other isn't known by anyone but me.

So here is my question. Should I do it? Build it myself on the downlow? Does anybody have any public policy arguments that outweigh my building such a thing? I feel very comfy that Knoxville and Oak Ridge don't have the desire or governmental ability to build such a thing without turning it into an overblown, worthless tube park for fatties and their twinkie eating kids. I also feel very comfy that I can easily and cheaply make a nice playspot in either locale.


So what do you all think? Build first ask forgivness later, or keep trying to convince a gov't to build one and maybe see it within 30 years.