Intern Abigail Jasinski presents Glacier Hills rental analysis to Washington County officials

The Washington County Land Use & Planning Committee recently reviewed a comprehensive rental analysis report for Glacier Hills County Park, presented by intern Abigail Jasinski. This report, part of her capstone project, highlights visitor trends and usage data for the park's nine tiny cabins, revealing that while a significant portion of renters come from Wisconsin and Illinois, overall rental numbers have declined over the past three years.

Jasinski noted that only 61% of rentals provided location information, as many Airbnb users do not disclose this data. Among those who did, half of the tiny cabin renters were from Wisconsin, with Illinois visitors making up about 27%. The report indicated a downward trend in rentals, prompting discussions among committee members about the potential impact of changing visitor behaviors post-COVID-19.

Committee members reflected on how the pandemic had initially increased outdoor park usage, as many sought safe recreational options during lockdowns. However, as society returns to normalcy, there are concerns that park attendance may continue to decline. Supervisor Mary emphasized the need for strategic marketing to attract visitors from neighboring areas, particularly suburban Chicago, to boost park usage.

In addition to the rental analysis, Jasinski presented data on annual and daily park pass purchases. The majority of annual passes were bought by Washington County residents, with out-of-state purchases being minimal. The committee discussed the potential for raising daily entrance fees, suggesting that it might have a limited impact on local residents while increasing revenue from visitors outside the county.

The meeting underscored the importance of understanding visitor trends and adapting strategies to enhance park engagement. As the committee prepares for budget discussions in the coming months, the insights from Jasinski's report will be crucial in shaping future decisions and marketing efforts aimed at revitalizing park attendance and usage.