Jack and Jacky, the husband/wife team that mind the gate during summers at Van Pugh, are retiring effective immediately. Jack phoned up to say good-bye and thank the windsurfing community for our support and good vibes while they've been up there. They really appreciated seeing us enjoying the park and talking with them.
They had planned to work through the summer but the behaviour of the park visitors recently took the joy out of the position for them, according to Jack. We wish them both well and are grateful for their friendship.
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Well that bites. Makes me wonder what happened... and think about the mothership's security while out sailing
Paraphrasing Jack: When the church groups start cussing you out, it's time to go. They had hesitated to return this year but got a lot of requests especially from park users from the neighborhood to return.
I also got the impression that they felt they needed more support from the Corps/DNR in enforcement. I was with them one time when jetskis were buzzing the beach (iirc and almost hitting Jowell on the water) and the DNR was absolutely useless. The DNR basically closes shop at 6 pm so if someone misbehaves at 5.45, they really aren't interested in doing much about it.