In a move that'll likely affect everyone from Sunday strollers to hardcore hikers in Washington County, the local government is asking the public to voice their opinions on the future financing of its park system— because yes, maintaining green space isn't as free as the air we breathe. Right now, the funding model for these nature nooks is a blend of vehicle permit fees, government grants and a slice of property tax proceeds. But with an eye on the long-term viability and upkeep of their eight parks, three regional trails, one conservation area, and the Historic Courthouse, officials are weighing their options and, you guessed it, they want your two cents before September 7. A link to share your thoughts is found on the county's website.
The current setup has park-goers shelling out $30 for an annual permit or $7 for a day pass, which might stay the same, or possibly see a bump if that's the path less controversial and what the people pitch for, the region's parks offer more than just a patch of grass, they span over 4,700 acres of parkland coupled with a good 570 acres of water, which means there's plenty of room to go around for your socially distant picnicking or your not-so-socially-distant kayaking.
But here's the twist: instead of tapping tourists and locals alike for parking pennies, one proposal on the table is to slightly up property taxes for residents to cover the costs, yes, a move that's sure to spark debate among homeowners who might never set foot in a park but could end up footing part of the bill nonetheless.
In short, the county's approach to this green predicament is pretty open-ended and they're not making any decisions without a decent dose of community input, their goal is clear: to keep their parks and trails in shipshape for future generations without running aground financially.
