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Welcome to Edmonton! “Where we kill your fun hobby!”
August 31, 2004, I went sailing with my Remote Control Sailboat at Hawrelak Park. Just a day, like any other day, in my 4 year history of sailing at the park. Well, ignorance of the law is no excuse, I found out. You cannot sail a REMOTE CONTROL TOY SAILBOAT on any body of water in the city of Edmonton without a permit.
This was made perfectly clear to me by a park employee. I chose to ignore his comments. After all, I have a four year history of sailing in that very same park. Concession people know me, rangers saw me, park personnel paid no attention to me. I was just a toy boat sailor enjoying the day. Two weeks previously, I and several other sailors had our boats out on the lake, with media coverage. No complaints.
Well, this disgruntled employee called a park ranger, who proceeded to tell me I need a permit to sail my TOY SAILBOAT on the city waterways. Confused, bewildered, upset by this, I proceeded to obtain information as to what I should or could do. The ranger gave me the names of several individuals who would process a permit for me. I contacted those individuals and was informed that I required a “confirmation of use permit” before I could sail my TOY SAILBOAT in city water. They would issue it via email.
Sept 1, 2004, I went for a sail at the same park, and I was approached by a parks service person, who asked me if I had a permit. I replied no, but the appropriate people were contacted and were issuing me the confirmation. He said okay and left. Thinking “that’s that,” I continued to sail. Well, guess what! A different park ranger appeared and asked me to remove my sailboat from the water, or he would issue a $100.00 fine. Fine me then, I thought, but let’s play this smarter. I asked who called him, and was told it was a park service person.
This is the section of the bylaw being referred to:
CITY OF EDMONTON
BYLAW 2202
PARKLAND BYLAW
(CONSOLIDATED ON NOVEMBER 25, 2003)
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sporting activities |
1. While on Parkland no person shall:
swim, wade or bathe in any lake, pond or other similar body of water;
operate a boat, wind-surfer or other water-borne craft on any lake, pond or other similar body of water except in an area designated by the City for this activity… |
I think the City employees should have better things to do than harass people for sailing a TOY BOAT on city ponds. They have obviously taken the term “boat” (as in REAL) and are making parks an area of non-enjoyment.
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16.7% 
83.3% 
