255,000 Visitors To Bear Lake Parks

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah. October 1, 2014.  Over 255,000 people visited the Bear Lake State Parks, Richard Droesbeck, Utah State Parks,  noted in a report to the Rich County Commission.  This was an increase of 10,000 visitors from last year and gross revenues of $916,000 were also up. There was a profit of $423,000 from this park, but most of the profit goes to other parks in the state system. 

Droesbeck outlined events that State Parks hosted or sponsored such as the Cisco Disco, Bear Lake Monster Plunge, Second Annual Bear Lake Shake, Third Annual Bear Lake Swim which had 78 participants, Ninth Annual Bear Lake Brawl Triathalons and the Raspberry Days Bear Lake Light Parade.   State Parks did search and rescue.    The north courtesy dock was replaced at the marina.  Ramp docks for east side beaches were put in.  Cisco beach is now twice as long as it was and the north dike was repaired.  Willow group sites for RV at Rendezvous Beach now have power. 

The AIS check stations for quagga mussels have been closed. They decontaminated several boats which they suspected had quagga infestations. Commissioner Bill Cox said that he observed boats coming in after 11 p.m. as late as 1 a.m. after the check station has closed which could be a problem.

Commissioner Tom Weston asked why with over $400,000 profit there is not a full time maintenance person at Rendezvous but was told budget cuts mean that position was eliminated and park rangers have to take on the responsibility for cleaning restrooms and repairing them.

Future projects include a mast lifter at the marina and paving done at Cisco Beach.  They are improving First Point parking and power so there will be a light at night for night boating. Droesbeck said that they were working on access trails from Bluff campsites to the lake.  On Fourth of July weekend every campsite was full, other weekends were 95% full.  State Parks are trying to make parks more OHV friendly and to connect trails.  They would like to have a trail from Rendevous Camp Ground to the state park rest area and then up  to Meadowville.   More parking along the lake is needed as well as an OHV trail near the lake and an OHV map.  There is a need for a route from Logan Canyon into Garden City with a 15 foot pathway.   There is OHV money for building those trails and grooming them.  The Town of Garden City would like to groom the trails from Richardson Canyon to Garden City.