Page 49 - Louisiana Loop (manuscript Edition)

BATON ROUGE and New Orleans are two cities that among most kayaking sites are listed as cities not to stop or camp
in or around. Because of the industrial nature of the harbor and challenges to Canoes and Hard Shell Kayaks, I
understand the hesitation with Baton Rouge because the waterfront is not User Friendly per se to most kayakers. I
personally thought it was easy access even with railroad tracks at the top of a sloping levee, I could see the challenges to
security and securing a safe place to leave a watercraft.

Big Cities notoriously are challenging to anyone in watercraft because unless specifically designing it for them, most
water fronts are not considering Canoes and Kayaks unless a healthy following of paddlers are in that city advocating for
them.

I chose Baton Rouge as my starting point for this reason and the obvious “signage” that stands out from the water.

I would love to address the City Council and/or leading business men and women on the benefits of developing the area
for more varietal boating as well as “take back” some history by coopting with paddlers and Mississippi Groups , but
that takes more than wishful writing and success is determinate often on books and success in other areas before being
able to inspire others to seek to change a reputation that may or may not be deserved.
I see so much being developed in other parts of the river with Canoes and Water Trails, Whitewater parks and to date it
seems motorized water craft and paddle wheelers are the priority among paddlers on the River and industry leaders in
paddling.

I wish One day a Hub for kayakers and paddlers be developed to use for bayous and the Mississippi River South.