A new company will provide canoe, kayak, and paddleboard services at Morgan Falls Overlook Park with the approval of a five-year contract with Murphs Surf River Adventures.
The contract includes a yearly rent of $20,100, paid to the city of Sandy Springs through monthly installments, plus 10 percent of gross revenues per year, according to Recreation and Parks Director Brent Walker. The contract is set up for one year, with four one-year renewals.
Two bids were received by the city, one from Murphs Surf River Adventures and the other from Shoot the Hooch, Walker said.
Murphs Surfs River Adventures scored higher on performance confidence as it has current agreements with other government agencies, including Canton, Cherokee County, Woodstock, and more, Walker said.
Walker said Shoot the Hooch did not provide any references for current contracts and did not demonstrate experience with municipal contracts like the other offer.
Shoot the Hooch had contracts with the City of Roswell up until 2020 when the city awarded Nantahala Outdoor Center with the contract. Shoot the Hooch also operated watercraft services on Powers Island before the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area changed its policy and limited that location to a single concessionaire, causing the company to lose its operating permit.
Murphs Surf River Adventures will operate at the Paddle Shack at Morgan Falls Overlook Park located at 200 Morgan Falls Road.
The decision follows the conclusion of the contract term with the previous operator, High Country, which decided to focus more on retail sales, Walker said.
Details regarding the Paddle Shack’s reopening date will be communicated to the public and available on the city’s website as the transition to operations by Murphs Surf River Adventures is made, he said.
Councilman Andy Bauman asked if the city has any say in the prices the vendor charges.
Walker said nothing in the contract will keep them…
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