Two Zip Line Courses on West End?
Dan Williams, co-owner of Green Planet Inc., hasn't started work yet on a zip line south of Port Angeles (for which he already has a permit). Now he's planning to build two zip line courses between Lake Crescent and Forks.
He also wants to build an air tram, which would connect downtown Port Angeles with the zip line he plans to build near Little River Road.
Williams said the air tram and zip line would put Port Angeles on the map for tourism. He said:
“It’s kind of pie in the sky. It’s kind of big thinking.” And referring to the local economy, Williams said:
“We’d better hit a few home runs over the fence, or we’re going to lose the game.”
He also wants to build an air tram, which would connect downtown Port Angeles with the zip line he plans to build near Little River Road.
Williams said the air tram and zip line would put Port Angeles on the map for tourism. He said:
“It’s kind of pie in the sky. It’s kind of big thinking.” And referring to the local economy, Williams said:
“We’d better hit a few home runs over the fence, or we’re going to lose the game.”
posted by Tom Harper at 7:55 PM
30 Comments:
If he has all this funding in place, and all these permits in place, why hasn't he broken ground on a single thing? I'm not wishing him ill, but just questioning the chances of these pipe (and tram) dreams ever coming true.
“It’s kind of pie in the sky. It’s kind of big thinking.” And referring to the local economy, Williams said:
“We’d better hit a few home runs over the fence, or we’re going to lose the game.”
Ya think???
All we ever hear around here is why "something" can't or won't get done. I, for one, hope Mr. Williams can get this project done. There are more than 100 of these tram rides around the world, it is NOT new technology, other communities were able to figure out permits and permissions. Why not us!
The Sierra Club will just say no to it like they do everything else.
I DON'T WANT MORE PEOPLE HERE !!!
I don't care how much money they have to spend.
Seattle should run a zip line off of the top of the space needle and get an ace on us. Seattle is a lot easier to get to.
We could use a zip line in downtown right about now. What a freakin' zoo first street is.
"There are more than 100 of these tram rides around the world, it is NOT new technology, other communities were able to figure out permits and permissions. Why not us!"
Do you really think the only hindrance to Port Angeles being successful and prosperous is a positive attitude? You don't think the old saw about "location, location, location" has any relevance? You don't think the economic problems the state and nation are facing, have any relevance?
Do you think that people have more, or less income these days? Do you think Port Angeles is the only community trying to figure out how to attract people, and their money?
No, you're right. If only the nay-sayers would change their attitudes, everything would go gang-busters in Port Angeles.
It is much easier to be negative and sarcastic (no energy, drive or intelligence needed) than to try to get something done, to even slightly try to make some improvement in the place you have chosen to live. Even during this extended recession, we still have 3,000,000 + visitors a year to Olympic National Park. Don't you think SOME of them would be interested in a tram ride?
Don't you think SOME of them would be interested in a tram ride?
Maybe, but the main objective of the man is a Zip Line, those that can afford the high expense may pay for a ride but I don't see how that will benefit us much.
He's like any other dreamer of such things, he visions riches for himself, that doesn't mean he is going to share them with you.
Some of you folks are too obsessed with money. Would you pay for a Zip Line Ride?
"Even during this extended recession, we still have 3,000,000 + visitors a year to Olympic National Park."
I've often wondered about these ONP visitor numbers. Hard to believe. Where ARE they? Tell me where I can see these throngs of thousands of people every day.
There are only 365 days in a year, and I doubt the Park sees as many visitors in mid January, as it does mid July. Averaged evenly over a year, one and a half million people in 6 months. 750,000 in 3 months. 250,000 every month.
That is about 10,000 every day. And, I'll guess that is during during daylight hours.
Half of the entire population of Port Angeles is visiting the ONP each and every day? Really?
And, thinking that really, there ARE some days of the year that would have more visitors than, say, mid January, it would mean that some days, there are MORE than half of the entire population of Port Angeles visiting the ONP.
And even worse, if this IS true, why are all these businesses closing in Port Angeles? Why are the City, the Chamber of Commerce, and other businness groups trying to figure out how to attract more people to Port Angeles, if we can't impress all these people that are already coming here?
How many small, remote towns can only DREAM of having tens of thousands of travelers visit their town, EVERY DAY?!
But most every day, downtown Port Angeles is a ghost town, even with our OWN population. Most of the folks walking around, when you DO see anyone, are waiting for the ferry to Canada.
Where ARE all these people, in reality?
Look at a map. Visitors can access a great deal of Olympic National Park without ever stopping in or even coming to Port Angeles. Many of those who might come here simply pass through town on their way to Lake Crescent, Sol Duc, Kalaloch, Dosewallips, the Hoh Rainforest, etc. etc.
Port Angeles could do a much, much better job of highlighting itself as an integral part of visiting ONP. But whiners like the folks who don't want more park designated as wilderness unfortunately appear to be dominating the local "leadership" organizations, and hence we have such insults as the Rotary club choosing a sports theme for the sand sculpture competition rather than a theme that would highlight a Park event being followed by the entire nation: the Elwha Restoration Project.
I don't don't that the park's visitor numbers are what they've stated. And I also don't doubt that tourists who come to experience the wonders of the park choose not to linger very long in the City after they sense the anti-park/government and anti-environmental protection vibe here.
Oh sure, we have 3,000,000 + visitors a year, why I drive up the Hurricane ridge road reasonably often and I can assure you that it's like a traffic jam, hahahahaha
"Where ARE all these people, in reality?"
It's possible. It's a large park extending over a large geographic region... along the Hood Canal, through Jefferson Co, past Port Angeles and down to Forks and near Aberdeen. I'm pretty sure those 10,000 a day aren't passing through Port Angeles, but it's pretty easy to avoid this town and still visit the Olympic National Park. What's weird is the town sometimes encourages this with their advertising. "Come to Port Angeles so you can leave for Victoria or the Park". Sure.
I’ve explained it before, many of the folks that come here to venture into the areas of the park are not interested in the towns, they are just something nature lovers go through to get to the park, believe me, I’ve talked to plenty of those folks. Numbers mean nothing if you don’t interview and understand the folks behind them. They may grab something to eat in the towns, but mostly just at fast food joints.
Those wealthy enough to stay at places like the lodge on the lake aren’t interested in the towns, they are well cared for and fed at the lodge, they do visit the park but there is little in the park for them to spend money on and their itineraries often just allow for looking and leaving, not casual shopping and other events.
Like a well off blogging friend that was here last summer from North Carolina that stayed at the lodge, we bought a few beers in Port Angeles is all, the next evening we spent at the lodge enjoying a fire on the beach, they simply wasn’t interested in the town, any town.
"Look at a map. Visitors can access a great deal of Olympic National Park without ever stopping in or even coming to Port Angeles."
This must be so, if those numbers are to have any possibility of reality. I'm still not convinced, as 10,000 people EVERY DAY is still a LOT of people. Again, sit downtown, at Race or Lincoln, and tell me you see anything CLOSE to 10,000 EXTRA people driving by, 24/7/365.
But, the above comments answer Anon 7:03. Even if there ARE 3 million visitors to the ONP, the bulk of those visitors are not coming to Port Angeles. Even if there ARE 3 million visitors drawn to the area by the ONP, they are not intertested in Port Angeles.
So, what does this all tell us?
If you live in this area and can afford zip line rides I don’t want to hear you whining about the economy, you’re doing fine. I’d never put out good money to ride one, if I want a three minute thrill I’ll spend my money on a local hooker, she’ll return the money to the local economy a lot faster than any silly zip line.
BTW, I’d heard that the sprint boat races are a lot of fun, I may even put out the clams to go see them myself one time. But I’m not certain the event will bring a lot of money to town, the folks doing the circuit are very busy and shopping here isn’t in their schedule, other than maybe at the grocery stores and a few meals in cafes or fast food joints. I’m guessing that many of them use campers and motorhomes and have no use for staying in hotels.
Locals that can afford to go will just pull enough money out of their budgets to go to them, but that money will leave town the next day so it won’t be spent here. Back when I went to quite a few races (and raced myself) I never spent much money in the towns around the tracks, other than a hotel room in Phoenix one night.
didn't anybody read the part about "tram ride or Chinese bombers" or something? Williams sounds like he may have fallen off one too many zips himself.
Williams sounds like he may have fallen off one too many zips himself.
I've talked to him a few times and it's my view that he is full of SOMETHING. :-)
"didn't anybody read the part about "tram ride or Chinese bombers" or something? Williams sounds like he may have fallen off one too many zips himself."
Yes. I had a similar thought. But, if he can pull it off, who really cares if he is a bit strange?
Has he actually done big projects successfully? If so, what are their histories?
Has he actually done big projects successfully?
He's a little fish in a big pond with a big dream, and no backing. Wet dreams are like that. :-)
Did anybody ever see the Simpson's episode about the monorail?
Green Planet Zipline's UBI registration is expired. Looks like Dan's done with his Port Angeles idea. Pie in the sky.
Green Planet Zipline Inc has been bought out. I have checked with the state the business status it’s valid. It is! I also know the company is working in Port Angeles and working on the local zipline project.
Also know Williams is retired and is smart enough to not waste time or money to prove himself. Also he doesn’t suffer fools gladly either. I would like to see any of you start a business and work it to retirement ( Like Williams ) The Tram idea was a parting gift to the clueless as the company is working all over the country.
BBC is a fool . This guy must drink his breakfast.
I've known Dan for a number of years, and this project is not for the benefit of himself to just make money. This is only viable project or plan that the county, city, or state has come to the table with to bring lots of jobs to this economically strapped area. The powers that be have continually nixed ideas and plans to help bring in needed jobs for as many years as I have lived here, because the ideas were not their ideas and couldn't take credit for them. I hope Dan is successful in this endeavor to help the county and community.
No. He had the permits, and did not deliver. In the end, it's a good thing, cause the Chinese would just bomb a big old target like that. Guess they'll have to bomb that one he built in Hawaii. If they can find it.
Such negative comments. We're about to fly from Mississippi to vacation thete.
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