Cape County 'shelters' costs with park fees

It takes a lot of electricity to brighten up the holidays. Just ask Bryan Sander, Cape Girardeau County park superintendent.

The county spends about $4,000 each Christmas season -- from mid-November to the end of December -- to power up the couple hundred holiday displays set up at Cape County Park North by organizations and individuals.

The county charges a $20 fee per entry.

"That covers the cost of utilities and extension cords," Sander said.

"We have right at 200 displays. We are full this year," he noted. But he added, "We won't turn anybody away."

The county keeps the entry fee regardless of whether the paying group actually puts up a display.

"Last year, we were down about 30 displays," he said, blaming the decline on inclement weather during the set-up period. "It was cold, rainy. It was really nasty."

The county also charges a fee for use of its 14 picnic shelters in the north and south county parks and Klaus Park. Shelter users pay a $20, $30 or $40 fee, depending on the size of the shelter and its amenities. The county also rents out the covered bridge and fishing pier in County Park South to wedding parties.

The shelter fees have generated nearly $20,000 this year, according to the county auditor's office. The county commission first implemented park fees in 2013.

The county initially charged a flat $15 per park shelter reservation in an effort to cover an estimated $17,000 annual cost to clean and maintain the shelters, but the fee proved insufficient.

Last year, the commission adopted the new fee structure to cover the costs of maintaining, repairing and replacing shelters better.

Maintenance includes the cost of emptying the trash cans and cleaning up the shelters and restrooms after their use, Sander said.

"Right now, we are covering those costs," he added.

The new fees have not deterred shelter users.

"We are taking more reservations. We no longer slow down after the Fourth of July," he noted.

While exact figures weren't available Wednesday, Sander said the county sees more than 800 shelter reservations annually.

The shelters are used almost daily from April to November, Sander said.

"We actually had two reservations last weekend," he said. Those shelters, however, were not used because of bad weather.

The reservation fee is not refundable, Sander said. "We don't give refunds because of bad weather."

The fee revenue has helped greatly, Sander said, adding the county doesn't have a park tax.

"Most of the shelters have been upgraded in the last two or three years. The citizens are seeing the benefits of it," he said.

Many users reserve shelters -- particularly the larger ones -- up to a year in advance.

Reservations may be made by calling (573) 204-2494 or online at capecountypark.us.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent Address:

2400 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.