Buckley Ponds 2024

Buckley Ponds 2024

Collaboration launches new amenities in the region

By Christina Reed
The Hired Pen

Eastern Sierra, CA—Once upon some ponds, a long time ago, some residents of the Owens Valley and High Sierra got together to improve access to and at the Buckley Ponds. A favorite area near Bishop, CA and nearby Owens River, the various sized ponds in the series of Buckley Ponds have been improved for access with fishing platforms, cleared tules, and the development / maintenance of fisheries.

Buckley Ponds’ newest edition, as of the ribbon cutting ceremony on June 28, 2024, is an adaptive kayak launch, next to a fishing platform (from the Warm Springs entrance, it’s the first pond). The installation of the adaptive kayak launch was the collaboration of Inyo County, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, the Wounded Warriors Project, and volunteers from the area who donated their time and equipment. The entire process took about 18 months, said Adam Perez, LADWP L.A. Aqueduct Manager, with the pilot project floated in February of 2023, and Randy Short’s idea of carrying on Dick Noles’ legacy of advocating for the outdoors, and access to better recreation. Pat Noles (wife of Dick), and Dick’s granddaughters, Kristi Houston and Kristin Loven, were on hand for the ribbon cutting, and Pat did the honors of cutting the blue ribbon for the event. 

Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, with the help of volunteers, has long be a proponent of adaptive outdoor recreation, and throughout the years the organization has participated in the creation of the fishing platforms, kayak launches, and other outdoor recreation opportunities for those with disabilities. Marisa Gierlich, DSES Executive Director, was present at the ribbon cutting ceremony, along with long time DSES advocate and former executive, Kathy Copeland. Gierlich noted that getting the adaptive sports participants outdoors is “transformative,” and “life-changing,” and the adaptive / disabled amenities in the region help in “breaking down barriers.” 

Inyo County’s CAO, Nate Greenberg, spoke about the value of “open access to the water,” and that this access is “an important component of [the]landscapes.” Getting outdoors, Greenberg surmised, was “the great equalizer for us.” Greenberg pointed out this is a pilot project, with more slated, if it works out for the public. He mentioned that Diaz Lake is also getting an updated ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) boat launch, and June Lake and Convict Lake, in Mono County, have fishing platforms too. There are disabled fishing platforms throughout the region now, and many of these amenities are used / enjoyed on a daily basis by residents and visitors alike.

Inyo County’s Supervisor District #4, Jennifer “Jen” Roeser said, “the power of partnership is incredible,” and she said, she was inspired by all of these kinds of people [involved in the project].” She added that the kayak launch, and the collaboration involved in getting it completed made this “a model going forward.”