May 28, 2021 10:10 a.m. 

Douglas County Commissioners have eliminated the day use parking fees at all county parks.

A release said the change came ahead of schedule. The Douglas County Budget Committee, who tentatively approved the county’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year, determined that the Park’s Department budget had reached a level of self-sustainment and no longer needed to charge the day use parking fees. The release said the change to eliminate the fees was set to take place on July 1st. After a review of the projected year end budget numbers, the Board of Commissioners decided to implement the change immediately.

The Parks Department reached their self-sustainment budget goal through increased revenues, grant opportunities, productive investments and operational efficiencies, according to the release. The day use parking fees were implemented on July 1st, 2015 as a temporary revenue source to assist the Parks Department in its goal to achieve self-sufficiency after general fund dollars were reduced to zero. The release said the fees were collected to invest in improving and expanding the current county park inventory, assets and camping opportunities in order to achieve a sustainable revenue stream.

Commissioner Chris Boice said “It was always our plan to eliminate the day use parking fees once we had achieved a self-sustaining budget through other resources”. Boice said the Parks Department has worked hard to secure grants, develop sought after camping sites, and find ways to decrease operational costs. Boice said, “Through these efforts we are happy to reach a point where we can provide Douglas County residents more opportunities to enjoy our beautiful parks”.