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Delaney Creek Park is on track to achieve its most profitable year – but the number of visitors is overwhelming the park’s staff.
Park Manager John Burlington, who was frequently visibly frustrated, gave the report during the Tuesday, July 16, meeting of the Washington County Parks & Recreation Board of Directors.
As of the end of June, the park had made a profit of $150,249.
The park sees hundreds of visitors every weekend, with Burlington saying some of those visitors ignore rules and cause damage. He said he would support increases to the gate and annual camper fees to possibly decrease park visitation. He also said he has considered making the beach accessible only to campers who are staying in the park.
The number of visitors has caused safety concerns, with Burlington continuing to have to chase swimmers out of the lake at night. He said his greatest concern has always been the possibility of a swimmer drowning.
Over the Independence Day holiday, Burlington said he helped rescue three boys who got lost on the Knobstone Trail. Despite his lifelong familiarity with the trail, and the tendency for the county to call him when hikers are reported lost, Burlington said his joints are too worn now to be expected to trek such a challenging trail.
Overall, Burlington said the park is understaffed, workers are underpaid, and more security is needed; however, county officials continue to simply pat him on the back for a job well-done rather than address his concerns. He is also disappointed that no county official has ever attended a park board meeting during his tenure.
“I’m tired,” he said. “Very tired.”