Wilder's River Access Closed for Dredging
Frederick's Landing undergoes upkeep

By Ryan Clark / The Enquirer Staff Writer

As boating season nears, the city of Wilder has closed Frederick's Landing for dredging.

Terry Vance, city manager of Wilder, which owns the Landing, says that since the Army Corps of Engineers stopped dredging the river in 1996, the city has had to be responsible. Without dredging, the boat launch area filled with silt and mud.

"And that gets up into your intakes and people get real mad," Vance said. "We needed to do something about it before we get too popular."

Public Works Director John Verax and his staff will conduct the dredging, which they hope to complete by this week, if weather permits, Vance said.

"The hopes are to have this thing up and ready by the boating season," Vance said. "Before, people may have been turned off by the landing in terms of the mud, but really, this is one of the best-kept secrets in boating and we want to make it better."

Frederick's Landing is open 24 hours, May 1 to Oct. 31, providing access to the Licking River for all size watercraft, including houseboats, and it is also a destination for canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts.

The landing's park has walking trails, a sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits, gym equipment for children and space for fishing.

Mayor Stanley Turner says that for the residents of Wilder, the deal gets even sweeter.

Recently, Turner and the City Council voted to allow residents to use the landing for free.

"I've been thinking about it for a couple of years," Turner said. "I think it's a great gesture for the citizens and I'm really pleased."

Turner mentioned that in a city of less than 3,000, enabling the residents to boat for free won't cost Wilder much money.

Residents must first go to the city building at 520 Licking Pike and show their driver's licenses to obtain the free city pass. Others interested in buying passes can buy them at the city building.

"We just want to let people know we're making it better for them out here," Vance said. "We're going to be ready for a big crowd."

E-mail rclark@nky.com

Source:  Courtesy of Ryan Clark and The Enquirer