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Crystal Beach draws 20,540 visitors in six weeks; staff seeks painting quote and lake aeration after fish die-off
Summary
Madison City staff reported a surge in Crystal Beach attendance—about 20,540 visitors in six weeks—and strong concession sales; they will seek quotes to repaint the facility and to install continuous aeration at Johnson Lake after aquatic control linked a fish kill to low oxygen.
Tanya, who gave the parks operations report, told the board that Crystal Beach has seen a major uptick in use this summer, reporting, "Had 20,540 people at Crystal Beach in 6 weeks, which is crazy." She said day-pass sales are well ahead of last year and credited good weather and new concessions for part of the increase.
Tanya highlighted a single concession item, Dippin' Dots, as the top seller: "It's $10,000 in 6 weeks, and the only thing close to it was 5 half of that," she said, noting that concession revenues may be an important offset to operating costs.
On facility maintenance, Tanya said staff will solicit bids to repaint Crystal Beach this fall, calling it "big stuff to paint" that the facility needs. She also raised a water-quality concern at Johnson Lake: "There’s fish dying at Johnson Lake, and aquatic control came and says because, there's not enough oxygen in the water," she said. Tanya said aquatic control recommended running an aeration fountain continuously and that staff will obtain cost estimates for a permanent aeration solution.
Tanya summarized department reach for the year: program participation was about 13,000 and, when combined with Crystal Beach attendance, the department has "touched" 34,456 people year-to-date. She thanked staff by name for their efforts.
The board did not take a formal action on the painting or aeration quotes during the meeting; staff will return with estimates when they are available.
