Use of county park shelters increases mainly for non-residents
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Reservations for shelters at Mingo Creek and other Washington County parks will be taken beginning Jan. 14.
A pavilion at Mingo Creek County Park.
The Washington County commissioners have approved an increase in the cost of permits for nonresidents’ use of shelters in county parks beginning next year.
“We’re getting a lot more usage in the parks,” said Lisa Cessna, executive director of Washington County Planning Commission, which oversees county parks. “But there have been no increases in any permit fees for many years. It was time to look at them.”
The “look” included comparing fees with those of other parks in Southwestern Pennsylvania, she said.
Nonresident fees for large shelters will be $70, up from $67. If the family or group renting the shelter plans to serve beer, the fee will be $95.
Nonresident fees for small shelters will rise to $65 from a previous $61. The fee with a beer permit will be $90.
“The majority of use is by county residents,” Cessna said. “Residents are paying taxes.”
Fees for residents during weekends and holidays will remain at $50 for a large shelter and $75 when including a beer permit. Rental of a small shelter during a weekend and holiday will remain at $45 and $70 with a beer permit.
Fees for scout groups and nonprofit organizations will also change according to the season. During weekends in the off-season, the groups will pay $5 per shelter from Jan. 1 through April 30 and Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, but they will have to pay full price from May 1 through Sept. 30.
Washington County Parks and Recreation will begin accepting 2019 reservations Jan. 14, in person, or by mail from Jan. 14-31.
A phone-in option, with a required credit card payment, becomes available Feb. 1 by calling 724-228-6867.
Parks include Cross Creek in northern Washington County near Avella and West Middletown; Mingo Creek in Nottingham Township 12 miles east of Washington; and Ten Mile Creek in southeastern Washington County.