Parks, boat launch lots get self-pay stations

The Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Department has installed new self-pay stations for vehicles parking at four regional parks and two boat launches, the department said in a release.

A fee for parking is now charged all open hours at Frenchman’s Bar, Lewisville, Salmon Creek/Klineline Pond and Vancouver Lake parks, and at Daybreak and Haapa boat launches.

The parking fees at each of the six locations are $3 for cars, $6 for cars with trailers, $2 for motorcycles and $8 for buses. Bicyclists and pedestrians are free.

Seasonal part-time fee collectors at the four regional parks will take payments on weekends in May and September, and daily June through August. Self-pay stations will be used throughout the rest of the year when fee collectors are not present, and continually at the two boat launches.

An alternative to paying the daily fee on-site is a new $40 annual pass, which covers access to all four parks and the two boat launches through the end of the year.

The annual pass may be purchased (cash only) from fee collectors at Frenchman’s Bar, Lewisville, Salmon Creek/Klineline Pond or Vancouver Lake Park; at the customer service desks at Marshall and Firstenburg community centers; and the city of Battle Ground Community Center. Go to http://www.vanclarkparks-rec.org and click on “parking fees” for more information.