12/23/2009
County to reduce winter operating costs, access at major parks
Vancouver, WA Due to budget cuts related to a weak economy, Clark County will close parking lots and discontinue maintenance at 10 regional parks, trails and boat launches in January and February. Bicyclists and pedestrians will continue to have access to the parks.
Within the past year, the county has reduced its General Fund budget three times. Earlier this month, the Board of Clark County Commissioners approved a revised budget for 2010 that reduced the regional park maintenance and operations budget by $1.6 million.
By limiting services in the winter, we were able to reduce spending in ways that will affect the fewest number of visitors to our parks, said Clark County Public Works Director Pete Capell. The decision was not easy. A number of our employees will be out of work in the winter and people in the community may be disappointed.
Restrooms will be closed and portable toilets will not be available. There will be no garbage or landscaping service, including mowing. The service changes will begin on Jan. 1. Maintenance will resume and gates will reopen on March 1. The seasonal cutbacks are expected to save about $184,000 in 2010.
Parking will be limited. We are asking drivers to please comply with all posted parking restrictions. We will need the publics cooperation to keep driveways and gates clear for emergency access during this time, Capell said. We are also asking visitors to please pack out any garbage or recyclables they bring to the park. This will help save money for taxpayers in the long run.
Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation and Clark County Public Works staff are talking with local drift boaters and anglers about ways to reduce impacts to winter steelhead fishing on the East Fork of the Lewis River resulting from boat launch closures.
The following facilities will be affected:
Lewisville Regional Park and Boat Launch
Lucia Falls Regional Park
Moulton Falls Regional Park
Haapa Boat Launch
Daybreak Regional Park and Boat Launch
Hantwick Road Trailhead parking lot (between Lucia Falls and Moulton Falls parks)
Vancouver Lake Regional Park
Frenchman's Bar Regional Park
Frenchman's Bar Trail parking lot (on NW Lower River Road between Vancouver Lake and Frenchman's Bar parks)
Lacamas Lake Regional Park (located on the east side of Everett Street next to Round Lake)
Captain William Clark Park at Cottonwood Beach is not affected. Existing services will continue throughout the winter at that location, thanks to a partnership between Clark County, the city of Washougal and the Port of Camas-Washougal. Parking lots and the Index Street restroom will remain open, and garbage will be collected.
Signs will be posted at the affected parks advising visitors of the changes. For more information, please call Clark County Public Works at (360) 397-2446, or visit this Web page: www.cityofvancouver.us/parks-recreation/budgetinfo.htm.
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