You will have to carry a few extra bucks with you if you plan on visiting any of Washington Island’s public parks this upcoming year. The Washington Island Parks Committee is proposing a $3 daily parks pass fee for visitors 18 years and older to visit all 11 Town of Washington parks, such as Schoolhouse Beach, People’s Park, Little Lake, and Jill J.J. Jorgenson Memorial Park. Residents will be issued four Parks Passes per household, with more available upon request. The entrance and exit to Schoolhouse Beach will receive a facelift to construct an entrance gate where people will have to purchase or show their parks pass to access the popular destination. Washington Island Parks Committee member Loren Roznai says as the area has become more and more popular, so have the expenses to keep it beautiful. She says there were lots of good questions asked during the public hearings with most residents understanding why the parks pass is needed..

This is not the first attempt to institute a parks pass fee on the island. Roznai says the first attempt was two to three years ago but believes its fast rollout caused it to be abandoned. Instituting a parks pass was not the only discussion item on Washington Island worthy of public hearings this week. Residents could also make their voices heard about changes to the island’s short-term rental ordinance.