Friendsville Upper Yough Parking Fund

This focused fundraiser succeeded in raising over over $22,000 to secure a permanent takeout for the Upper Yough! Additionally, Kayaker Brian Jacobson, a licensed Maryland engineer, has donated professional services valued at over $15,000. These gifts mark a big step in the growing partnership between AW and the small town that has become the gateway to the Upper Youghiogheny River. It's the perfect way for river runners to show appreciation for the town's work to protect the summer release program. Read below for the original information about this great project and fundraiser.

The Mayor and Town Council of Friendsville stood up for Upper Yough paddlers many times over the past year. Their efforts prevented cancellation of up to 35% of summer dam releases and halted efforts by Deep Creek State Park to charge a per-head river running fee at the Sang Run access this summer. The Town of Friendsville will continue to protect and develop the river resource and is now asking for your support.

Their latest project is to improve boater parking in town. The current arrangement with paddlers parking on both sides of busy State Route 742 is a source of friction with town residents as well as a real safety concern. Recently a local citizen made a generous gift of land in the field on the upstream side of Route 742 and Councilman Jess Whittemore has spearheaded an effort to create large parking lot on these four acres.

Once the lot is in place, taking out will be easier. Paddlers can get out under the I-68 bridge and walk past the church to the field or continue down to the Wilderness Voyageurs access. There will be parking for 125 cars, with room for expansion. Although the lot will require almost $100,000 to finish completely, we can be parking in the grass this season for much less money. The town hopes to keep the lot open free of charge, but this will happen only if they can raise the money for this complex and expensive project from outside sources. They are aggressively pursuing grants, but paddler donations are also vital.

Image courtesy of Google.

If you have any questions please contact Councilman Jess Whittemore at jwit@mac.com or Charlie Walbridge at ccwalbridge@cs.com. Donations can still be sent to: Town of Friendsville, PO Box 9, Friendsville, MD 21531. Please write: whitewater parking” in the check's memo line.