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Parks moving toward cashless systems, proposes rental piers and new security role
Summary
Parks staff announced plans to transition to a cashless point-of-sale this summer, pilot daily rental piers and asked the board to consider creating a full‑time security position to cover evening hours at lake properties.
Parks staff told the board April 21 they plan to shift park payments to a cashless point‑of‑sale tied to reservation software this season, pilot daily rental piers and are seeking a permanent security presence to address late‑night issues at park water facilities.
Taylor Beard, delivering the Prairie Creek report, said the department is integrating a new reservation and payment system so most beach and launch transactions will be card or phone‑based. "The biggest reason for that is we've got a lot of cash and I think the more cash the more room for error," Taylor said, adding that the Iron Ranger coin box will remain the only cash option this season while the department pilots kiosks or app payments for future years.
Taylor proposed providing five temporary wooden rental piers for primitive and cabin campers and adding four short-term floating slips near the campground to allow brief use of bathroom amenities without removing boats from the water. He said steps needed next include drafting waivers, confirming insurance coverage and setting daily and weekend pricing.
Board members raised enforcement and staffing questions for early‑morning launches. Taylor noted the office hours for staff are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays; self‑launch via mobile registration could allow boaters to launch as early as 6 a.m. Staff discussed hiring a managerial boat‑launch position that could cover those hours and expressed interest in creating a full‑time security position to patrol the park after office hours.
Taylor said several operational improvements are underway, including new mowers that reduce mowing time and security upgrades at the north shore shower house. He also said fewer than 50 RVs remained at North Shore and staff planned coordinated removal of personal property after the April 30 extension deadline.
The board directed staff to continue work on insurance and waiver language for pier rentals, explore payment kiosks and keep the board informed about security staffing plans and any enforcement actions at North Shore.
