Each year, the city of Kenai puts together a big report detailing the ups and downs of that year’s dipnet season. Down the road in Soldotna, the crowds don’t get quite so big during the peak rush in mid-July, but the Parks and Recreation Department keeps busy handling all those visiting fishermen nonetheless.
Assistant Parks and Rec director Joel Todd told the parks advisory board recently that technology upgrades at Centennial Park in the form of iPads for processing camp fees worked well in 2017.
“That really saved a ton of time and a ton of energy as far as money," Todd said.
"We also were able to use credit cards for the first time this year which then saved money behind the scenes (from) counting dollar bills. It added some time in the finance department. As far as credit cards go, if you’ve had to deal with that, you know there’s never ending reports and reconciling. But on the front end, kids were able to get campers in and out much faster.”
In all, nearly 8,000 people purchased day or season camping passes in the city. Thirty-one hundred boats shoved off from city launches and, with no campfire restrictions, 1,400 bundles wood were sold. Sales of season passes were up. Todd said that’s likely why the numbers at Swiftwater Park were down. Next year, there will be improved access there for fishing with the addition of at least two sets of stairs.
“If you’re coming into Swiftwater, there’s day-use parking right there by the booth. And there’s trees right in front of you. And people for years have just made their own trails to get down there, so we’re hoping to add some stairs to protect vegetation and the (river) banks. Give people access to where they’re already going, but do it in an environmentally friendly way," Todd said.
The city will be putting $25,000 toward that project, with a matching grant coming from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the rest.