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Resident urges clearer signage and fee fixes at new Lake Ariana Park
Summary
At the Nov. 17 Auburndale commission meeting, residents praised the new Lake Ariana Park but raised complaints about inaccurate kiosk pricing, confusing walk‑up fees and lack of signage; city staff said kiosks have been turned off and that swimming has not been allowed at the lake since 2011.
Cynthia Kerns, a resident at 1470 Shorewood Drive, told the City Commission on Nov. 17 that while the new Lake Ariana Park is "gorgeous," errors at payment kiosks and sparse signage are creating confusion for visitors.
"When I was there on Saturday the pay stations were live and listed the wrong prices," Kerns said. "There is nothing that says it is free for City residents...charging a dollar for walk‑up just seems weird to me."
Interim City Manager Amy Palmer told the commission staff has turned the payment kiosks off "until we can get that corrected" and that additional signage will be added. Mayor Dorothea Taylor Bogert said there has not been swimming at Lake Ariana since 2011 and that the city is reviewing kiosk messaging and signage in response to public feedback.
Kerns also asked about the former beach area at the lake, saying vegetation now blocks access and that the only remaining swimming‑adjacent area is near the boat dock. "You can sit at the picnic tables there, but you cannot really walk down to the water because of all the vegetation," she said, urging clearer rules and warnings about unsafe swimming spots.
Palmer and the mayor acknowledged the concerns and said staff will address kiosk pricing displays and improve signage to clarify resident access and restricted uses. The city also announced an open house for the park on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 2 to 7 p.m.
