Dear Port of Everett Commissioners,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing on behalf of the Boxcar Park Kitefliers to formally request a permit allowing us to fly our kites at Boxcar Park. We believe that Boxcar Park is an ideal location for our club activities, and we are dedicated to ensuring the utmost safety and promoting responsible kite flying practices within the community.
The Boxcar Park Kitefliers has a long-standing tradition of promoting the art and sport of kite flying while upholding the highest standards of safety and training. We have been an active part of the Everett community for over 5 years, organizing regular events and fostering a sense of camaraderie among kite enthusiasts of all ages.
We understand there have been recent issues with kites in power lines, but they were not ours. Our club has 20 members, and at a typical Fun Fly we see about 10. Our members’ ages range between mid-thirties and eighty years old, and several are retired. Most of us fly quad line kites which allows for a great deal of control. Our kites have four lines which allow the pilot to move forward or reverse, sideways, pivot on a wing tip, rotate on dead center or stop and hover in mid-air. They cost between $200-$700 each and are not the types of kites that get away from the flyer. Unlike children’s kites, our kites are on fixed length lines, so they are never more than 120’ from us.
Our commitment to safety is unwavering, and we take every measure to ensure that our activities are conducted in a responsible and secure manner. To demonstrate our seriousness about safety and training, here are some of the key initiatives we have undertaken:
Training: We train and educate anyone who wants to learn, and we ensure that everyone understands the fundamentals of kite flying, safety protocols, and proper equipment handling. Several members have attended training that is offered by professional kite flyers in Long Beach and elsewhere.
Safety Guidelines: We have adopted the American Kitefliers Association’s safety guidelines and all members are required to adhere to them during our activities. These guidelines include information about knowing your limitations and your equipment’s limitations, how to reduce risks, and behavior around other park users. Club members are required to review safety rules annually.
First Aid and Emergency Preparedness: Many of our club members are trained in basic first aid and emergency response procedures. Several members have first aid kits on hand during our events and are prepared to assist in case of any emergencies.
Insurance Coverage: The Boxcar Park Kitefliers club is an affiliated club, in good standing, of the American Kitefliers Association and is covered by their $1 million liability insurance policy. Coverage applies to all our scheduled events to protect both property and the community in case of any unforeseen incidents. Our certificate of insurance is available on request.
We are committed to being responsible park users and strive to maintain a positive relationship with both the Port of Everett and the local community. We believe that granting us a permit to fly at Boxcar Park will not only provide our club with a suitable venue but also enhance the overall recreational experience for the residents of Everett.
We are more than willing to collaborate closely with the Port of Everett to establish specific guidelines to minimize any potential conflicts with other park activities. Additionally, we welcome periodic reviews of our activities to ensure continued adherence to safety standards.
In conclusion, we kindly request your favorable consideration of our permit application to fly kites at Boxcar Park. We believe that by working together, we can create a safe and enjoyable environment for kite enthusiasts while respecting the needs of the broader community.
Thank you for your time and attention to our request. Please feel free to contact me at 214-548-8686 or jill.lystad@yahoo.com if you have any questions or require further information. We would also be open to sending a few representatives to one of your upcoming commission meetings to answer questions. We look forward to the possibility of flying our kites at Boxcar Park and contributing positively to our community.
Sincerely,
Jill Lystad
President
Boxcar Park Kitefliers
1125 Grand Ave
Everett, WA 98201
214-548-8686
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2Hlv3RbAJ8
This is an example of some of our members flying in a team at Boxcar Park.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4q1HmziVlM
And this is what we aspire to.
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