Huge Announcement!

[Bill Rotella]

It has been decided by the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department not to open Jackson Blue to the public until Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2008. Jackson Blue will be available "Exclusively" for the Cave Diving Community Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This decision was to show their support of the Cave Diving Community and the 2008 NSS-CDS Workshop, so that all Cave Diver's will have the opportunity to safely enjoy the Pristine Beauty of Jackson Blue.

Let us show our gratitude to Jackson County, the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department, Marianna, and to the Community in making this decision to support the Cave Diving Community and the 2008 NSS-CDS Workshop. They are doing everything they can to make us feel Welcomed!

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Right on :)

[JDostal]

That is very cool. I'm very bummed I can't make it down there this year during that time.

[rotor60driver]

That is amazing.

[runawaylobster]

Awesome!

[RN]

That's excellent! I had been wondering how that was going to work out. It's great to have support from non-cave diving organizations!

[Major Restriction]

Yippy kiyaa!


It has been decided by the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department not to open Jackson Blue to the public until Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2008. Jackson Blue will be available "Exclusively" for the Cave Diving Community Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This decision was to show their support of the Cave Diving Community and the 2008 NSS-CDS Workshop, so that all Cave Diver's will have the opportunity to safely enjoy the Pristine Beauty of Jackson Blue.

Let us show our gratitude to Jackson County, the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department, Marianna, and to the Community in making this decision to support the Cave Diving Community and the 2008 NSS-CDS Workshop. They are doing everything they can to make us feel Welcomed!

[Kirk]

I’m not sure if I totally understand, and I admit, I have never been there during the summer. Is it such a big deal to share the park with the non-cave diving residents of the Marianna area? (Other than ensuring one doesn’t do one’s deco directly underneath the end of the diving board). - Kirk

[Bill Rotella]

I’m not sure if I totally understand, and I admit, I have never been there during the summer. Is it such a big deal to share the park with the non-cave diving residents of the Marianna area? (Other than ensuring one doesn’t do one’s deco directly underneath the end of the diving board). - Kirk


It would be like being at Ginnie Springs on Memorial Day Weekend, not impossible, just very crowded.

[RN]

At least Ginnie is flat. Imagine having to walk to the far edge of the clearing with your gear on because that's the only place you could park!

[PacketSniffer]

While this certainly makes it convenient for divers, I'm not really happy about this decision. "We" shouldn't be excluding people. Ya see, when ya start excluding people from having access to parks, you begin to get resentment and a bad name. Hmmm, where does that sound familiar?

:yawinkle:

[Slüdge]

I disagree. It's not like they're saying, "We like the cave divers so much we're not going to let swimmers in any more."

They're delaying the opening two days.

[Line Squirrel]

I gotta agree with PS, it's a three day holiday weekend, one that traditionally kicks off the summer with B-B-Q's, swimming, etc.

Very convenient for us cave divers but if I were a Jackson County resident and my county park was closed, but to a select group, two out of three days on a holiday weekend I would be pissed.

[Bill Rotella]

Please note that we did not ask them to do this, this is a decision that they made, and I believe that it was a good decision, especially for safety.

The Public is invited to the "Fire Side Chat" Friday Night ($5.00) per person, Exhibits are open to the Public on Saturday at no charge, and they are invited to the conference as a non-member $45.00. Saturday Evening the Public is invited to the Cinematic Event at no Charge, and on Sunday we will have an Exhibit and Lecture on Cave Diving at no charge. I believe that this is the first conference in which we are inviting the Public to become a part of the Work Shop with the freedom of choice of attending.