It's getting harder to fly at my local park.... Grrrr.

[Paul Taylor]

This afternoon I got to take a few hours to put up a few practice flights. I called a few of the guys in town and John Morrison and his son Seth agreed to meet me out at the local park field. I brought along my trainer as John said he has not had time to put his U-Key back together. He and Seth both fly the trainer.

Anyway as I waited for them to show up I rolled out my lines and was getting setup to fly. A guy and his son pull up and get out a bucket of baseballs and start to walk out onto the field. I tell them that I have the field and they would have to go else where. He ask how much room I needed and I told him 200 ft. He proceeds to tell me that I could not reserve the field. I told him that is correct. But according to our Parks director it is first come first serve and I was there first. He then grumbles and goes to the other end of the field. A few minutes later another guy shows up with 2 kids and starts to walk onto the field. I tell him the same thing. He grumbles and he started to go to the other side of the field then comes back to me to tell me to go to the other side of the field, he needs the back stop. I then tell him that we have been flying on this field for a few years now and that it is first come first serve. I have permission from the parks director to fly on this field and I need a place to fly. I told him I pay my taxes and I am her to use the field. He said this is ridiculous and tells his boys to get in the car. I told him to call the park director if he did not like it. This is the second time we had to run off the ball players. I'm sick of it !! There I feel better now that I vented.

I do belong to a club and I fly out there when I can, but it is a bit of a haul for when I have a short window to fly. That is the main reason I joined the club so I don't have to run someone off, or worry about a ball flying in the circle while flying.
I guess I will call the parks director next week and look for another city park field to use. I hate being the bad guy with the model plane.

[Alan Buck]

Hi Paul    We have the same problem here to but we try to fly late mornings. Then when the baseball kids show up we are about done. But short notices are another thing. we feel your pain

[Tim Wescott]

I wonder if those natty portable stanchions and some rope or police tape would help.

[PJ Rowland]

I refuse to fly at a local park.

8 years ago I was practicing and a Dog ran out whilst the model was on the ground and the dog ran through the lines, ripping the belcrank out and stuffing 1/2 the wing... the Woman came over and said " You shouldnt be here anyway.. "

Makes me wonder, if the roles were reversed..

If I was flying and my plane " Got away from me " and hit her dog, ripping it in 1/2 and I walked up to her and said - you shouldnt be here anyway.. I wonder what the response would be.

Double standards. Now - despite my "window" I get in the car drive 15 minutes to my field and fly in peice.

 

[Clint Ormosen]

We will ALWAYS be the ones who don't belong there. Doesn't matter if it's baseball, soccer, or a dog training group. We're just the big meanies with toy planes.

[RC Storick]

We have a designated model airplane pad at out field and from time to time I have to run off the local kids (with adult supervision) playing baseball or soccer on the asphalt pad, They get their panties in a wad but there is even a sign that says designated model airplane area.

[Joseph Patterson]

We have a dedicated flying site built by the park system for our club made possible through the efforts of our local hobby shop owner and the late Charlie Melancon over thirty  years ago. Yet we have golfers who come out and use it for a driving range, On three ocassions we have caught them. It is against park regs. to drive golf balls in any of the area city parks yet they do it. On one ocassion my brother and I arrived at the site to observe a golfer driving balls through our circle. He was about 120 yds. from us continuing to hit them through and over the circles while we were setting up. I told my brother he probably doesn't know the rules, so we had better talk to him. Walked over to him and explained the regs. and also stating it was dedicated only for flying. He was an older gent and thought because he was there first, and a tax payer he was not moving ,and would keep hitting the balls. Well, we were nice up to that point , but then we had enough, and said we would get the authorities to come out and escort his "royal arse" outta there. Well he was a contrary "ole cus" and hit a few more thru the circle. We then started picking up the golf balls and throwing them over a locked chain link fence and walked towards him again to hopefully scare the hell out of him, but keeping out of pistol range in case... He then finally concluded we were serious and quickly got to his car sacrificing his golf balls to (2) irate fliers. They have torn up several  very spots on our grass circle. On other ocassion the park people made a temporary soccer field literaly next to our circles with the soccer field out of bounds chalk line crossing into the flying path a couple of feet. They had a soccer game going when we came to fly and said "go ahead and fly we will keep a sharp eye out for your planes." Needless to say we had to wait for the game to conclude since it was a sanctioned league game. Another time some Latino's hijacked our field to use for unauthorized  soccer games. We told them they could not play soccer there. Only (2) of the whole group could speak any semblace of English. They did not want to leave. I pulled my cell phone out to call the  BRCP (police) and they left immediately. Well I could say more, but this is enough. Just to say I know how you feel!  I don't recommend losing tempers like my brother and I did with the golfer-stay cool and calm!!!        Doug

[ash]

In a city of a million plus, we have only one place to fly and it's held to ransom by a soccer club. We basically have to get there really early on Sundays and pack up when they start setting up for games. We have had permission to fly there for years, but the soccer club has a great deal more influence and get to do whatever they want.
Last time I was there the soccer club captain threw an absolute fit and became a highly unsavoury character. He had no idea what we were doing, but was convinced it must be dangerous and that "remote control" models would be whizzing out of control into childrens' faces. Hopefully it's the only time we encounter him, as he could make big trouble for us with his attitude and position.

[Dwayne]

Sorry I don't mean to be a stick in the mud but if it's a public park doesn't that mean anyone can use it any time they want? I also fly at a park and have to put up with this but I have the understanding that if a group of kids want to use it for something I pack up and leave it's a public park and they are free to use at will for what ever they want when they want and I have no problem with that but then I also have a dedicated field I can fly in as well.

[Allen Brickhaus]

Golconda International is now under two feet of water.  I will wait to see what damage has happened.

Allen Brickhaus

[Paul Taylor]

Sorry I don't mean to be a stick in the mud but if it's a public park doesn't that mean anyone can use it any time they want? I also fly at a park and have to put up with this but I have the understanding that if a group of kids want to use it for something I pack up and leave it's a public park and they are free to use at will for what ever they want when they want and I have no problem with that but then I also have a dedicated field I can fly in as well.

Our city park director told me it is first come first serve. So I we get there first we have the field. People use it for all kinds of stuff. I have even seen cricket being played on the field. They are not suppose to use it for driving golf balls, but as I was setting up to fly I found two golf tees.

[Michael Boucher]

I feel your pain Paul. 

[Dwayne]

Our city park director told me it is first come first server. So I we get there first we have the field. People use it for all kinds of stuff. I have even seen cricket being played on the field. They are not suppose to use it for driving golf balls, but as I was setting up to fly I found two golf tees.

Hi Paul, I'm honestly not trying to stir the pott or start anything here but you must understand no matter what the park director said all kids and most adults have no idea what you are doing or have any sense of how dangerous it could be to play while you fly, they are just going to run on to feild and play so I'm sorry it sucks large but it's up to us  avoid them not the other way around, sucks but that's the way it is.

[Paul Taylor]

I agree with you Dwayne. If push came to shove I would pack up and leave. The last thing I was to do is be a safety hazard to a bunch of kids.

[Clancy Arnold]

An RC Club about a mile from my old house cleaned up an abandoned dump and after several years work had a decent flying field.  Then in came the Socker Moms and the modelers got kicked out and the Socker Moms started a Socker league.  It lasted about 4 years.  Now it is just an unofficial city dump!

Clancy

[Dwayne]

An RC Club about a mile from my old house cleaned up an abandoned dump and after several years work had a decent flying field.  Then in came the Socker Moms and the modelers got kicked out and the Socker Moms started a Socker league.  It lasted about 4 years.  Now it is just an unofficial city dump!

Clancy

Now that sucks! 

[john e. holliday]

Years ago while still living in KCK area I went to park headquarters about using the ball diamond that used to be a control line circle.  Was told no permit needed as it was first come first served.  So I get there early to mow a take strip and put up barriers.  People started arriving and gettin ready to fly when some ball players showed up.  I asked them nicely if they couldn't use one of the other three ball diamonds.  Was told they wanted this one.   One of the guys seen a patrol man and flagged him down.   The ball players went to the other diamonds.  Patrolman said he remembered when the circle used to be there and was in use every Saturday and Sunday.  He also remembered the numerous noise complaints the assistant park manager use to call in to the station.   He lived on the other side of the ball diamonds.  

[Bob Reeves]

I feel for you guys.. Lucky to have 3 circles in my front yard for the Tulsa club's use. We don't have to deal with any of the stuff you guys do that use public land. Bigest problem we have is wind, think we have had two days this spring that the wind was under 15. It really sucks when all you can do is mow and fly kites.

[Allen Brickhaus]

Golconda International might still be under 2 feet of water.  The gates to Golconda may open soon and I can survey the damage to my flying site.

Allen Brickhaus

[Kelly Wilson]

Hey Paul,
I have 2 acres of flat land to fly on, but occasionally I have a dispute with a nanny goat and her kids as to who has the right and first priority to the field. Its not a bad deal though, she does help with the field maintenance if you don't mind the little round pills in the pit and take off area.

[Paul Taylor]

Now I could deal with. Sure wish you were still around these parts.

[John Stiles]

You welcome to come fly my fields anytime. Bring your camper and stay a month or 2! The only problem you're gonna encounter is an old fart named "ME" flying my airplanes!

[catdaddy]

I remember once going to fly at a public park with my two sons. I guess Dakota was all of 15 and always spoke up for himself. We had set up a plane with lines and were about to start the engine when a man in his mid 30's walked up with his son and a baseball and bat. He started to walk across the lines and Dakota respectfully asked him to not walk on our flying lines and to move to the other end of the park to hit balls to his son. The guy said shut up punk. I grinned. Dakota said look mister we were here first and you're being an a**hole. The guy then said how would you like your a** whipped. That's when I stepped in because Dakota was going to give him a chance. I said Dude after my son embarasses you in front of your son I'm not only going to stomp a mudhole in your butt I'm going to b*tch slap you for making a mess. About this time a very elderly gentleman that lived in a house facing the park seeing what was about to happen came over and said we had been there first and the angry baseball dad should leave before he called the police. He did. I found out later this elderly gentleman was an old control liner that hadn't built or flown in years, but loved to watch the boys and me fly in the park. Sometimes we win The gentleman died a few years ago and I havn't flown there since. It's been a long time since I've flown at Reeves field too. Sure miss it.

[Doug Moon]

We have two paved circles with signs everywhere that say no spectators beyond this point and NO SOCCER!  In english and spanish.  Our fields share a parking lot with about 20 soccer fields.  They are in use about 8-10 months out of the year.  It didnt used to be this way. 

It never fails when i show up to fly there is someone or a group of someones on the circles.  The kids, who dont know better, are riding bikes on the circles and the parents are usually walking around the outer flying line.  First off this makes ZERO sense, the surface is black to it is insanely hot in the summer but there they are every time.  They leave trash all over the circle as well.  When you approach the parents they are always all of sudden not able to speak english.  Even when you heard them speaking english to their kids.  I just point the sign that they had to walk around to get in the field in the first place and then they usually leave.  But they always come back.  One night Steve and I came up on the circle and this guy has his two young kids out there and they were picking up the outer crumbling asphalt and throwing it onto the circle.  This really pissed us off.  We went over there and told that guy to clean it up.  He tried the no english tactic as his kids just sat there and kept throwing rocks around.  Steve kept after him and he suddenly spoke perfect english and started in on Steve.  Again the signs worked wonders.  Steve very emphatically told him to pick up the rocks and get out of here.  They did some and they were gone.  We havent seen them since. 

Then there are the walkers.   This is a very puzzling activity.  Like I said the surface is black top.  In the dead of summer it is so hot.  I stay away from it unless I am flying.  Between flights I back way off the circles.  They put out some serious heat.  Most of the time now there is at least one person walking around the out flying line.  This makes no sense, adjacent to our circles is the soccer fields and there is a patch all the way around them for just this very thing...amazing. 

One night I was setting up and a lady came up behind me and said she was going to do her power walking on the circle while I flew.  I said, uh no.  She protested and said this was an open field for anyone to use.  Then spoke spanish to her partner.  I then pointed to the sign she had to walk past to get to the circles.  She read it for a minute and I kept getting my gear ready. She still said she was going to walk the circle.  I said no you are not.  This is NOT a walking circle.  There are millions of miles of sidewalks all over this city.  They are specifically for walking.  There are only two paved circles in Dallas for flying on.  And these are them.  You can walk anywhere I can ONLY fly here.  I wasnt mean or raising my voice but I was very firm with her once she ignored the signs.  She muttered some spanish to her partner and they left.  They could have used the walking path on the soccer fields but no they drove off in their car...odd.  I have driven up 2 more times to find her on the circle and when she sees me pull out my plane she leaves in a hurry.

It is to the point we need to raise up the fences and then put locks on it. 

[Joseph Patterson]

 Doug, I know what you mean. I have been to the Dallas circles numerous times and I am a member of the DMAA club even though I'm from La. The last time I was at the field was for the late Sept. stunt contest in which you won Expert P.A. I spent some time with Don Hutchinson and Dale Gleason getting information relating to Old Time Stunt, because the Baton Rouge Bi-Liners were going to host the event for the first time at the Baton Rouge contest. Well to make the story a little shorter, I had taken down a lot of notes in a small note book. I was the very last person to leave after the contest and had driven out to the end of the park getting ready to enter the main hwy. when I remembered I had left the note book. I turned around and returned to the field about 15-20 mins. after I had left. When I arrived both patios were filled with people sitting on top of the tables and benches and more just standing around, and mucho kids running around the asphalt circle. My note book was gone, not in the trash cans. I inquired if they had seen it and they played dumb. They were not cordial in the least.Viewed me with suspician and contempt. I treated them with respect and was cordial- I did not get it in return. I did noticed that there were already empty water bottles, cola cans, and paper on the ground at both patios, even though Tom Farmer, myself, and others had made sure everything was picked up-cleaned up just minutes earlier. It seems they came to simply eat and drink and make a mess, because there are trash cans at the patios. I don't mind them using the tables and benches to eat or drink, or get out of the sun, but when they can not put away their trash in a couple of trash cans just a few feet away, then they don't need a park. They need to carry their sorry as....... somewhere else. By the way I agree with Mr.Donnelly, he is being a stick in the mud. The only way I can agree with his statements is if a park property is open for general use and at  times it is scheduled for special use such as soccer,then the fliers would need to concede because the park officials have need of it for specific use. However, if it is general use first come first serve, then the "firsters" have it whether they are fliers, golfers, frizze-be'ers, or whatever.Now if the park area is dedicated for specific use and others want to use it for their interests because they got there first, then they have absolutely no right in the matter. At least that is the way it is in Baton Rouge. Hell, they had an unauthorized Mexican soccer league going at our site and the park commission did not even know about it until we told them. Needless to say they "ran for the hills" when they were exposed. Golfers are not suppose to use the parks. If they show, then politely tell them the rules and that the authorities will be called if they persist.   

[Richard Koehler]

I used to fly off a stooge at Frank Brown park in Panama City Beach.  This was an open area with a driveway around it, and as others have mentioned, people liked to run their dogs on this open area.  I've had several sets of lines tangled beyond repair.  As bad as this was the all time worst experience was when a guy in a pickup drove out to the center of the circle while I was flying to tell me how neat my airplane was.  That was my last time flying at Frank Brown by myself.  No more open public parks!

[George]

In my town, flying "toy airplanes" (their wording) in a town park is forbidden.

George

[Brett Buck]

In my town, flying "toy airplanes" (their wording) in a town park is forbidden.

   I haven't seen any legal flying in city parks for decades now.

    Brett

[Kreth]

Hey Paul,

I noticed you are online.  I sent Richard Koehler an email just now and hope to get together with him to fly.

I had room this time when I left to carry some airplanes, but was so tired I forgot.

Kreth

[john e. holliday]

What I really don't like is in Kansas City Missouri there is a park that used to be River Front Park.  They put in a cement donut for us to fly on.  We got to fly there a couple of years when some idiot disclosed to the city the area was a location of a long gone battery plant.  They claimed the ground was contaminated and would cause deceases/illnesses.   This park is located right next to the Missouri River.  I have tried in the past to get permission to use the site that has a lockable gate.  But, I live in Kanas and they won't listen or even talk to me.  Can't even get the Missouri guys to talk to them.  The last time I looked the donut is still there growed up in weeds.  Even still has the parking areas.  Would not take long to get it back in shape for flying.  In time could even have a grass circle.  Guess I am going to have to go back to the small circle at Shawnee Mission Park.   

[Chris Edinger]

well doc.. sounds like since i live in Missouri... I need to find out where this is and maybe go to the city rec dept and see if anything can be done.. I have several friends in .... shall we say... KC politics.. maybe one could do some arm twisting.. ??.. Im still working on my own personal circle.... just that all the rain and this thing called .... work..... is interfering.. should have it done by fall if i can get some grass to grow in it..

[Steve Scott]

We will ALWAYS be the ones who don't belong there. Doesn't matter if it's baseball, soccer, or a dog training group. We're just the big meanies with toy planes.

No, doesn't work that way.  I chair a Parks 'n Rec advisory committee for our small city (pop 10,000).  While our CL club has a dedicated field to fly on, unless a group has reserved slot at one of the park fields then it's pretty much first come, first serve.  Problem is you'll usually be outnumbered.

Ever heard of the old addage, "If you can't beat them, join them?"  See about getting on the committee for the parks dept you use.  I guarantee if you help the city out, they'll help you out.

[GGeezer]

In the 60s when mufflers were not in common use, certain individuals who were too lazy to go out to the official R/C field started flying their large R/C planes in a downtown park next to a hospital. Well, it wasn't long before city council passed a bylaw outlawing all model airplane flying in city parks. A group of concerned modelers petitioned city council to amend the bylaw and they did, making only R/C flying illegal. C/L & FF were allowed as long as the noise bylaw was observed.
Now with the proliferation of the "Park Flier" toys, the game has changed with a lot of R/C flying now done in the parks. I'm sure if this comes to a head through and injury and I'm sure it will, city council will probably ban all flying.
Our small C/L group uses a more remote, less used park to fly and I think it will be in our best interest to try to nip this in the bud by being proactive.

Orv.