CoalTrain49
Member
This is the same reason all of our public land around here has been gated and locked. Lots of state and USFS land near me where we used to shoot. Old quarries make good places to shoot. People just can't seem to clean up after themselves and insist on dumping old appliances and garbage just about anywhere with vehicle access. There is one old quarry that is still used but the county sheriff patrols it and will issue a citation for littering.
Without any on site management of that area I don't think it will remain a place to shoot. Next up will be signs saying no shooting. Then police will start patrolling it.
Your best bet here is to convince the city that it's a needed rec facility. If you can get the city to realize it can get some revenue from it if they manage it properly you might have a chance to keep it. The airport probably has some way to limit access, our local small airport does. A sign in/out process is the first step. A small fee for the use of the facility is the next step.
It's my experience that these small city airports already have some security and administration staff. Most of the time they are under utilized which is typical for small towns. They may even have an airport administrator who you can talk to but I'm thinking you will have to organize a user group to have any hope of negotiating with the city.
Looks pretty bleak to me.
Without any on site management of that area I don't think it will remain a place to shoot. Next up will be signs saying no shooting. Then police will start patrolling it.
Your best bet here is to convince the city that it's a needed rec facility. If you can get the city to realize it can get some revenue from it if they manage it properly you might have a chance to keep it. The airport probably has some way to limit access, our local small airport does. A sign in/out process is the first step. A small fee for the use of the facility is the next step.
It's my experience that these small city airports already have some security and administration staff. Most of the time they are under utilized which is typical for small towns. They may even have an airport administrator who you can talk to but I'm thinking you will have to organize a user group to have any hope of negotiating with the city.
Looks pretty bleak to me.