Who should we ask for permission?
 

My wife and I are enjoying our second week as frogs and so far we have had an amazing time in our new community. Our neighbors and others we have met have been overwhelmingly friendly and helpful.

The one thing we miss the most about our previous home is that we are avid paddle boarders and we miss our daily paddling outings. It is a great source of exercise and a great way to enjoy getting in touch with nature. Where we lived before (Panama) we could simply put our paddle boards in the water off of our dock and paddle to our hearts' content.

We would love the opportunity to paddle in Lake Sumter, but I have heard the lake is privately owned and that we would need to seek permission to paddle there. The problem is that no one seems to know who we have to ask to get permission. I have heard that various clubs do get permission to use the lake (the kayak club among others) and have tried contacting these clubs to get information, but so far I have not had any responses. Does anyone know which agency we would have to contact to get permission?

I do know that several of the lakes in the area (Lake Miona, etc.) have public access, but we would love to be able to stay closer to home in our own neighborhood. Also, if there are any other paddle boarders out there who would be interested in forming a club, please let me know.

Thanks for any information.

Permission?
 

Captain:

The general rule here is... If you ask for permission, the immediate answer is "NO - YOU CAN'T".

Just do it and the appropriate authority will find you and tell you you can't do it. If they don't find you - you're good to go!

Skip...

Thanks Skip. I sort of had the feeling that that might be the case, but being newcomers here we wanted to try and find out who to ask first. If we can't find the right people to ask, that is probably what we'll end up doing.

Standard Answer - NO
 

Give you an example. The Kite Club wanted to fly kites on Sunday afternoons at the wide open Polo Fields. Since Polo Games were not played on Sundays and the facility was not being used, they asked if that was OK. The answer: NO - YOU CAN'T! When the club asked why, the answer was "It might scare the horses!". The club's response: There are no horses there are Sunday. The Villages responded: We said, NO - YOU CAN'T!

A year later the Recreation Department approached the Kite Club and asked if they would help put on a Kite Festival so The Villages could rent space to vendors for the event. Guess where The Villages held the event? Yup, at the Polo Fields!

Skip

A good rule of thumb in TV is to do what you think is right. Asking permission of anybody in the heirarchy is a waste of time since they are all linguine spined lemmings.

btk

i learned long ago it was easier for me to ask for forgiveness rather than to ask for permission!

aren't you concerned that there could be a gator en route from one pond to another that might be sharing the lake with ya? maybe ya wanna think about trading for paddle ball over at seabreeze rec center for your daily paddling outing! ;)

You do know there are alligators in there from time to time, right? (just in case your feet dangle in the water)

So far, it sounds like we should just "go for it" and see what happens.

No, I am not concerned with gators, I'm a native Floridian and have been around gators crocs and snakes my entire life (my wife, on the other hand, is not a fan). I got the same warnings about sharks and crocs when we were living/paddling in Panama and found that these critters were always more afraid of me than I was of them. I guess I am more concerned about getting arrested for trespassing than any ol' reptile.

Thanks for all the input so far!

While what many of you say is probably true around here, something about what has been said just doesn't sit right with me.

If the lake is privately owned and boating on it isn't allowed, and one knows that, why do it? I know the lake isn't deep, you could probably walk across and not have your head below water, but there are aquatic reptiles that frequent the pond, there isn't rescue equipment nearby if something goes wrong and if one uses it for boating, why not more? I'm sure there are many who would enjoy boating on that lake, it's pretty....but with only one boat launch area, will it now start to resemble ....oh, never mind, I'm starting to sound like a preacher. Remember exceptions to the rules when your grandkids visit and they don't ask permission first.
Continue on, I just had to get that off my chest.

Hi pooh, and thank you for your input. Paddleboarding is not boating, more along the lines of canoeing and kayaking, which TV has allowed in the past (with permission of course). I guess I'm trying to confirm whether it is allowed or not, and who the proper authorities are to ask the question. I still have not heard from any official source saying it is not allowed, and if it is not, I will certainly go elsewhere, I just thought it would be nice to be able to enjoy my favorite activity in my own neighborhood.

I've seen the rowing teams out there in the morning racing across the lake. Maybe contact their club and see what they know.

http://blog.coolibar.com/wp-content/...-boat-4-sm.jpg

http://www.teamleathernecks.com/

Hi Cap,

I recognize that you have been trying to find out who allows boating or paddleboarding on the lake. Have you asked at the lake "tour" boat office at Lake Sumter? I've seen boats on the lake and it really looks like a beautiful place to float along in/on... ;)

You've asked at the various boating clubs? If they're not answering you, maybe they don't want anyone else on the water....for purely selfish reasons. More boats, less time for them. Honestly, I'm not sure that's true, just thinking out loud. Hope you find someone to listen to your request and if all else fails, I guess it's just put your vessel in the water and enjoy.

Happy "Paddling" wherever you get to do it... ;)...and nice to have you here in TV...hope your car arrives soon.

I agree with you. The advice to just do it, doesn't sit right with me either. What a mess we would have if everyone took this attitude about many other things that most know are not allowed.
I would start with the recreation department or try the Community Service Center 753-4508. Or if neither can answer your question Janet Tutt can be reached at janet.tutt@districtgov.org.

Contact Recreation Dept.
 

Cap

Suggest you contact John Rohan, Director of Villages Recreation, at 352-674-1800. He'll know or know where to direct you.

One problem: I believe the lake may be under the management of the St. Johns River Water Management District, which may impact any permission the Villages might be able to give you. Also, the Dragon teams that use the lake for practice pay a fee I believe. Not certain to whom.

Luck

Jim

Received some great advice today, thanks to all!