MEMPHIS, TN — The President of the Riverfront Development Corporation told abc24.com the boat ramp on Mud Island Park, isn’t meant for excessive public use.
“It is a very large ramp that is open most of the time, but it is also closed a good percentage of the time,” said RDC President Benny Lendermon.
The ramp has been closed for most of the time the RDC has managed the park. Recently, boaters were given the opportunity to buy an annual pass for $150.
Lendermon told abc24.com the area near the ramp is congested. Not only do tourists use the area to walk, but it is near the amphitheatre and the ramp area is used for concert parking and loading and unloading of items for events.
“We have events on weekends. So when people want to use the ramp on weekends, that big ramp is not available,” said Lendermon.
The RDC president admitted, they don’t want the ramp area open to the general public for boating. He suggested people pay the $10 daily fee or $50 annual fee at the Memphis Yacht Club which is just around the corner from the ramp in question.
“We would rather people park and launch at the marina. That is what it is set up for,” said Lendermon.
Lendermon considers the ramp that is not open to the public a “VIP ramp.”
“Only if people want a secure parking area, totally out of the way of everyone else, it is almost like VIP parking. If for some reason you don’t want to mingle with the yacht club, then you are allowed to come down to this ramp,” said Lendermon. “We think the average boater is better served by the yacht club. That’s where we like to keep our boaters.”
Lendermon said the yacht club and marina is better equiped for parking trucks and trailors.
If boaters do want to pay the $150 fee, RDC President Benny Lendermon told abc24.com the rate is not excessive. It averages $12 a month.
If people don’t want to pay the $150, there is a free boat launch on the north end of Mud Island.
