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County panel weighs recreation economy, signs and trails; low‑intensity camping ordinance under consideration
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Summary
Supervisors heard recreation partners and park districts describe trail projects, park funding shortfalls and coordinated signage; they directed staff to study a low‑intensity camping ordinance and to evaluate options for transient occupancy tax (TOT) allocation.
Nevada County supervisors and recreation partners discussed the county's Recreation Resiliency Master Plan, trail projects such as Pines To Mines, shared wayfinding signage and the funding hurdles facing small park districts.
Shivati Karki Pearl, the county's recreation analyst, said the county has shifted from project partner to convener and funder, hosting collaborative groups such as the Pines To Mines Alliance and the South Yuba River Public Safety Cohort. "We act as a backbone organization, bringing partners together, aligning funding and policy," Karki Pearl said.
Park‑district board chair Brandon Linson told supervisors Western Gateway Park operates on a small parcel‑based revenue stream and relies heavily on grants, donations and volunteers. "Our biggest challenge is we don't have the funds to maintain aging infrastructure," Linson said.
Supervisors discussed whether to rename the objective "recreation economy" to clarify the county's role and debated dedicating some of the county's TOT revenue toward recreation projects. Supervisor Bullock advocated for exploring low‑intensity camping as a revenue and tourism tool, pointing to San Benito County's ordinance as a model; staff agreed to prepare options for board consideration that balance safety, fire risk and permit streamlining.
Next steps: staff will draft options for a low‑intensity camping framework (including a de minimis permitting pathway), report back on current TOT allocation and present recommended signage and funding priorities for 2026 projects.
