What the heck am I doing? Only a few weeks here and I’m trying to change the country! Well, those who know me know that this is one of my annoying little habits; I like to dream. Since I got here, I haven’t watched whales, I haven’t been to a waterfall or on a zip line, I’ve rested on a beach for, oh, maybe an hour. I like to just sit on my motorcycle and ride, and plot good things.
1. Bridge over the River Yaque
OBJECTIVE: To improve the hanging pedestrian bridge across the Rio Yaque del Norte between Los Calabazos and a nearby community.
SITUATION: The decking for this bridge is scrap wood at best, and scavenged timber or missing planks at worst. Without this bridge, people must walk (about 50 yards) to a place where wading across the river is possible. It was built years ago to improve commerce between the communities, a need that has been reduced through technology. The bridge is mostly used now to build community and tourism.
ESTIMATED COST: RD $210,000 ($5,000 U.S.) (based on 200-foot bridge length)
NEED: 1,600 board feet of PT 1x6 lumber or equivalent
- 600 board feet of PT 2x4 lumber or equivalent
- Hardware to secure 1x6s to 2x4s and 2x4s to steel cable
REAL CHALLENGES: It is likely that when inspecting this bridge for improvement, it might be determined that the entire structure (cables & footings) should be reinforced or replaced. Also, injuries could actually increase if improved bridge draws more traffic.
NEED: 1,600 board feet of PT 1x6 lumber or equivalent
- 600 board feet of PT 2x4 lumber or equivalent
- Hardware to secure 1x6s to 2x4s and 2x4s to steel cable
REAL CHALLENGES: It is likely that when inspecting this bridge for improvement, it might be determined that the entire structure (cables & footings) should be reinforced or replaced. Also, injuries could actually increase if improved bridge draws more traffic.
2. Puerto Plata Peak Pursuit
OBJECTIVE: To improve the physical fitness of area residents as they walk up a steep incline to the top of Montana Isabel de Torres, and as they train to do so.
Could be modeled similar to (surprise?) Take the Lake (www.Takethelake.org) in that:
- It might not be a race, but a serious physical challenge
- Participants could receive an “award” just for finishing
- Consider this the “goal” for which people train for weeks or months
o Helps people change their fitness and health habits
ALSO
- Participants could choose level of difficulty
o Easy – might start ½ mile from top
o Hard – might start 2 miles from top
o Difficult – might start near bottom
OPPORTUNITY: Even if fitness is not at crisis level here, Montana Isabel de Torres is a very good place to hold a large-scale event. It looks like the road could easily be closed for public traffic.
- An event like this could attract participants from around the country. As it grows, it could attract people from around the Caribbean and certainly from the U.S.
- The event should be promoted as the big goal for people to have at the end of their training programs. Depending on the person, this could range from one week to a few months, and include physical activity, strength training, healthy diets and other factors.
OBJECTIVE: To improve the physical fitness of area residents as they walk up a steep incline to the top of Montana Isabel de Torres, and as they train to do so.
Could be modeled similar to (surprise?) Take the Lake (www.Takethelake.org) in that:
- It might not be a race, but a serious physical challenge
- Participants could receive an “award” just for finishing
- Consider this the “goal” for which people train for weeks or months
o Helps people change their fitness and health habits
ALSO
- Participants could choose level of difficulty
o Easy – might start ½ mile from top
o Hard – might start 2 miles from top
o Difficult – might start near bottom
OPPORTUNITY: Even if fitness is not at crisis level here, Montana Isabel de Torres is a very good place to hold a large-scale event. It looks like the road could easily be closed for public traffic.
- An event like this could attract participants from around the country. As it grows, it could attract people from around the Caribbean and certainly from the U.S.
- The event should be promoted as the big goal for people to have at the end of their training programs. Depending on the person, this could range from one week to a few months, and include physical activity, strength training, healthy diets and other factors.
3. Dominoes Tournament
This is such a popular game in this country, and there must be hundreds of thousands of players here.
OBJECTIVE: Fun and maybe a fundraiser
- Could have a small entry fee, t-shirt and cash prizes
- Sponsor donations provide major funding
WHERE: In one of the larger, central cities with a large public park (Santiago?)
- Could this be a one-day event?
o Local elimination in the morning
o Regional elimination in the afternoon
o National winners determined in the evening
- So, if 1,000 people enter, there might be 200-300 games at a time being played in the morning, with a few sets to determine winners of each -------
- Afternoon competitions are more heated, with morning winners vying for “regional” status
- Evening might have only a few tables
- Or held over time, culminating in the big event?
o Local elimination in each village and city over a month
o Regional and national games held at end
This is such a popular game in this country, and there must be hundreds of thousands of players here.
OBJECTIVE: Fun and maybe a fundraiser
- Could have a small entry fee, t-shirt and cash prizes
- Sponsor donations provide major funding
WHERE: In one of the larger, central cities with a large public park (Santiago?)
- Could this be a one-day event?
o Local elimination in the morning
o Regional elimination in the afternoon
o National winners determined in the evening
- So, if 1,000 people enter, there might be 200-300 games at a time being played in the morning, with a few sets to determine winners of each -------
- Afternoon competitions are more heated, with morning winners vying for “regional” status
- Evening might have only a few tables
- Or held over time, culminating in the big event?
o Local elimination in each village and city over a month
o Regional and national games held at end
4. Brug Samana van Leona
OBJECTIVE: Restore and revitalize old public park on two islands off Samana
COST: RD $40 - $80 million ($1 – 2 million U.S.)
OBJECTIVE: Restore and revitalize old public park on two islands off Samana
COST: RD $40 - $80 million ($1 – 2 million U.S.)
SITUATION: Across the bay in Samana, large concrete walking bridges connect two small islands to the mainland. I have heard that they were built with national funds, and I gather it was less than 50 years ago. Building the park was really a serious project, with bridges rising some 50 feet above the water, concrete stairwells leading up to each island and significant concrete viewing structures. The elaborate park has all but been abandoned. Why? I have two guesses. - The national government built the park, but did not convey control or interest to the local government, and no one appears to be in charge now. - There is no road leading to the bridge. To get to it, you either must walk along a ruddy dirt road for a half-mile or so, or be one of the lucky ones staying in the resort at the foot of this park. The park is very run down, and people could argue that it isn’t popular and is not worth keeping up. But this is a major resource for the area and could become very popular for locals and tourists. Giving up on it for whatever political reason is a bad idea and this park should be saved. |