American Whitewater has worked closely with the State of Maryland and the Town of Friendsville to maintain and improve access to the Upper Youghiogheny River since we started maintaining the Sang Run Access in 2001. We raised $25,000 in 2012 as a down payment on the parking lot in Friendsville that paddlers use today. Buoyed by this gift, the Town successfully raised $160,000 more to complete the project. The result – hundreds of paddlers whose cars used to line the highway for a half-mile have a safe place to park and change clothes. The town now views the river running community as an important ally in their planning, which is a wonderful change from 20-30 years ago.

 

American Whitewater relies on voluntary contributions to fund construction and maintenance. We’ve had help from “super volunteers” like Don Millard, who cuts the grass in both Sang Run and Friendsville. As well as the hundreds of paddlers who contributed to the parking lot in Friendsville and donated at the access fund box at Sang Run. Thanks to these gifts of time and money there is no charge to use either facility. And we want to keep it that way!

 

Now the Town of Friendsville needs our help to finish the hardened part of the parking area. Some people are now parking on grass, which is not a long-term solution. The Town has raised $18,000 towards the work, matched by $2000 from town funds. They would like to raise $8,000 from the paddling community.

 

A single new parking space costs $750. Can you help us? To chip in DONATE to American Whitewater today and put “Upper Yough Access 2018” in the comments box. Especially you guys who weren’t around to donate six years ago, when the project began! Each gift also strengthens our relationship with the town and gives us more credibility with county and state government. Please help. Every little bit counts!!