Boat Ramp? - Behind the main swimming pool, there is a muddy/grass slope that descends into the lake that some residents call 'the boat ramp". This is NOT not permitted nor approved by the City of Delray or the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD), as it does not meet the minimum code or safety requirements. The slope is too steep, insufficient size, slippery mud and grass. Furthermore, the grassy area leading up to the slope is roughly graded and has numerous sprinkler heads, plumbing, and a water meter that will be damaged if run over by a vehicle.
Therefore, the Rec Area keeps this slope locked with chain and padlock.
Our lake management contractor – Solitude Lake Management – must use this to launch their small service boat. Their technicians have a great deal of experience launching the Solitude boats on all manner of lakes and ponds, they carry their own special insurance, use a heavy-duty four-wheel drive vehicle, and they, as a licensed business, can assume the liability.
Offering the ramp for use "at your own risk" is not an option as a homeowner or guest cannot absolve the HOA and the Rainberry Rec Area of liability. Furthermore, in order to protect this ‘ramp’ for the use of our contractor we must minimize the wear and tear use of the ramp. If it degrades to a point that our contractor can no longer use it, we will be barred from making any significant repairs or replacement without a complete redesign, major construction and the proper permitting. This would be a major expenditure for the HOA and Rec Area.
Note that the HOA amenities do NOT include a ‘boat ramp’ and therefore adding one would be considered a major capital expenditure requiring approval by a majority affirmative vote from the membership.
Public Boat Ramp
Boating residents of Rainberry Lake may obtain a clicker from the Lake Board to open the Lake Gate at the north end of Lake Rainberry. The gate provides access to the LWDD canal which leads to Lake Ida where there are several public boat ramps, the most convenient of which is the Lake Ida Park boat ramp. Boating residents must use one of these public ramps to launch or pull their boats.
Emergency Use
Should a resident’s boat be in peril, they may be permitted to use the so called ‘ramp’ however ONLY when navigating to a public ramp is not an option, only under supervision by an authorized HOA representative, and only if the representative deems the driver, the vehicle and the trailer are able to safely perform the boat removal. Boat owners should request the Guard to contact an HOA authorized representative.
