December 18, 2023 3:20 a.m.

The Douglas County Parks Department has announced that county parks guests will now have access to new or upgraded free, high-speed Wi-Fi at five of its park properties.

A County release said Windy Cove A County Park & Campground, Windy Cove B County Park and Campground, and Umpqua Dunes RV Park recently received comprehensive internet connectivity service upgrades that have dramatically increased Wi-Fi speeds for park guests. Chief Milwaleta County Park & Campground and Whistler’s Bend County Park & Campground received new Wi-Fi systems where none formally existed. This initiative enhances connectivity for campers, ensuring that they stay connected with the world while enjoying the natural beauty and tranquility of the parks and campgrounds.

The release said the number one concern expressed by campers, RV enthusiasts and outdoor adventure guests was to improve the W-Fi connectivity. It is well known that nationally many RV parks and campgrounds only offer weak internet connectivity, if any Wi-Fi service to their guests. That lack of connectivity often limits guest stays to just a few days, due to the inability to load even a basic web page. This is especially true now that more and more people are working remotely, relying on their mobile device for maps or creating outdoor social media content. More importantly, there is no cell service at Chief Milwaleta Park or at Whistler’s Bend, so the provision of Wi-Fi to these parks provides a critical communication outlet in the event of any emergency.

All five Wi-Fi projects were made possible through a partnership with local internet provider Douglas Fast Net. It was DFN’s willingness to work with Commissioner Chris Boice and expand fiber optic technology to untapped areas that brought this project to fruition.

For more information about county parks and this project, go to: https://douglascountyor.gov/802/Parks