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Homeschool group warns Lake Townsend parking fees could push families out; board debates annual pass and exemptions
Summary
Parents and a homeschool coop asked the county to exclude main‑park parking from a new ParkMobile per‑vehicle fee; staff said the new system covers the whole park and encouraged an annual pass option at a reduced rate; commissioners debated exemptions and agreed to review the parks fee resolution.
Steve Markford spoke during citizens' comments for families and his wife’s homeschool cooperative, saying a new proposal to collect a per‑vehicle fee for the entire Lake Townsend Park — rather than just the boat‑ramp area — would create a financial barrier for weekly users.
"Historically, the only fee at Lake Townsend Park has been for the boat ramp… Families like ours who are simply using the main park have never had to pay," Markford said, noting his group, Barefoot University, brings dozens of families and many children each week for nature‑based education.
Parks and Recreation staff explained the county is adopting a single ParkMobile system for the entire park; staff recommended frequent users choose the reduced annual pass (now $50–$53 with tax) to lower costs. "This new system… is gonna be for the entire park. We didn't delineate between the boat ramp and the overall park because it's all gonna be part of the same system now," parks staff said.
Commissioners discussed whether to make exemptions for regularly scheduled groups or to leave the fee in place for trailer/boat parking while exempting other park uses; they asked staff to provide the existing parks fee resolution and the list of parks currently charged. Commissioners indicated they want to review the resolution and fee schedule before making long‑term changes.
