Once Upon a Time at Wanoga
Once upon a time at WANOGA
The long line of cars along the Cascade Highway reminds me of rush hour traffic in a bigger city. Every year becomes more crowded. Exacerbated by the holidays, everyone rushes to sled, snowshoe, cross country ski, and play in the blissful white power.
The steep, snow covered slopes are teeming with people. Parents snapping memories. Kids racing up and down the hills, dogs running along the nearby trails. Cheap, broken sleds lay scattered and partially buried.
Wanoga Sno Park, and the others nearby, have been deemed Winter Wonderlands. They are mentioned in countless newspaper and magazine articles, blog posts, and other media. I’m guilty myself of adding Wanoga as an entry in the bucketlist book, 100 Things to Do in Bend, Oregon.
By noon, the parking lot at Wanoga is full and cars circle or make new spaces in places never meant for vehicles. I noticed a sheriff’s deputy get out of his car to tell a driver to quit blocking the flow. The man had been sitting for at least 10 minutes hoping another family was packing up and about to leave.
The rules of the park, which are rarely heeded, are almost covered in snow. Not like many people would follow them anyway. Some asshole had the audacity to leave the shattered parts of his broken sled in front of the sign that states “BROKEN SLEDS DO NOT BELONG HERE: PLEASE TAKE YOUR BROKEN SNOW TOYS HOME WITH YOU AND DISPOSE OF THEM IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER.”
Some argue the sledders need to watch out for what’s below them, easier said than done when you’re barreling downhill at such swift speeds. Someone at the bottom can move more easily, but why should they? Entitlement at the parks runs rampant.
Yet, the heavenly snow can still be a blast. The exhilarating look on my daughter’s face and the shouts of merriment from other children as they sled are priceless. The thrill and adrenaline adults get is addictive, a quick return to childhood, as we go down the slopes. The sight of snowflakes falling often add inches of powder by the minute. All of these factors make for a memorable day.
But how long can a good thing last? When do the obstacles and inconveniences outweigh the entertainment? Simply stated, there are too many people with more showing up every winter. None of us have a greater right to enjoy the park than the next person. But unfortunately, the time of enjoying the sno-parks hassle free has ended. The unbridled and unchecked fun without consequence has passed.
Eventually, regulations will be enforced. Perhaps a paid, limited entry to the park. The currently required Sno-Park permit is not enough, and I would bet most people do not bother to get one. Lanes created along the hill to ensure a safer descent and a clear path. Sledders on Saturdays and skiers on Sundays. Some private business or government regulated entity will jump at the chance to profit.
As with all the well-known and easily accessible places, not just near Bend, but across the United States, we are overwhelming our public spaces. No single person or family is to blame, (although the assholes that leave behind broken sleds and those blocking traffic and parking wherever they like significantly contribute to the end of an era). We all want to enjoy the good life. If we could somehow balance our desire for fun and the need for common sense, safety and natural preservation, then perhaps we could make the good times last.
Any suggestions?
