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Parks and Recreation reports heavy summer use; fees, grooming routes and leases under review
Summary
Parks and Recreation director reported significant summer recreation use across county sites, outlined fee structures, and said grooming routes, recreation leases and a waterways ordinance amendment will return to board for public hearings or further action.
Valley County Parks and Recreation Director Rector Bingaman told commissioners on July 16 that recreation sites across the county have seen increased use and that staff are working on fee structures, grooming routes, leases and several pending ordinances.
Bingaman said Brush Creek’s campground has six sites with a $10-per-night fee and that other sites use an annual pass or $5 per car per launch fee. He said the department plans to begin selling longer-term permits around Oct. 15 and that sales will initially be done through the county office rather than online.
Bingaman reported heavy traffic at multiple river and campground sites and said he has been coordinating with county staff on budgets and Sampson project bid details. He said work on a Warm Lake grooming route depends on Forest Service approvals; the county’s disc ranger in Cascade has not yet authorized necessary approvals and staff want to avoid delaying work into September.
On leases and access, Bingaman said county recreation leases remain incomplete from previous years and that the local United Payette office and a new lease coordinator are working through reimbursement and lease execution; final leases may not be completed until December–January. He said the county is discussing a possible parking-lot expansion at Francie Wallis and potential site relocations with DL Evans and Arnie.
Bingaman also said the county will bring a proposed amendment to the waterways ordinance — including discussion about powerboat use on tributaries — to a public hearing between now and next spring. He said the department has new recreation advisory board candidates and expects to present a strategic recreation plan for adoption.
No formal fee changes or ordinance amendments were adopted at the July 16 meeting; items were presented as updates and will return for hearings or formal decisions.
