SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ) – There’s a new way to pay to utilize the Brown County parks system.
The county has installed 12 automatic pay stations across the park system, allowing for instant purchase of daily or seasonal passes.
“When we found these automated pay stations, we realized that this is an opportunity for us to meet the customer needs and the customer concerns and questions that’ve been brought up over time,” said Parks Director Matt Kriese. “Not a lot of people carry cash anymore…While the machines do continue to take cash and credit cards, it’s great for our customers and also for our staff. It creates a lot of efficiencies behind the scenes in any eliminates a lot of those challenges.”
The pay stations are solar-powered and power up quickly – and have instructions on and in the system. The new pay station at the Reforestation Camp ski trail was shown as an example, and County Executive Troy Streckenbach compared it to using a gas pump.
“As we are seeing this great enthusiasm of individuals wanting to get outside, exercise, and enjoy some of these great assets that the county has, we’re also finding that individuals are having more challenges in how to pay for the user fees,” Streckenbach said. “This helps us have a cashless point of sale, it allows us to have the ability for people who forget to bring cash with them an opportunity to support these beautiful assets that the county has.”
Most of the county-operated recreational areas are user-based systems with fees associated with general maintenance and upkeep.
Twelve new, automated pay stations have been installed at recreational sites across Brown County. (WTAQ/Casey Nelson)
While the convenience factor of the automated kiosks may seem minor, as opposed to manned kiosks, it could be a make-or-break moment for some outdoors enthusiasts on any particular day.
“On a Saturday morning if you were looking at skiing or using a boat landing, when our offices may be closed, the user can still swipe their credit card and receive an annual permit. Then that permit is valid right at that time,” Kriese said. “Instant gratification with your pass in-hand, and you’re ready to go. We’re happy to move on with technology and get with the times and forge this path forward for our county park system and for over the over 1 million users that we have across the parks.”
Similar pay stations are being implemented at campground sites, like Bayshore County Park and the Brown County Fairgrounds. It will also assist in taking reservations at those first-come sites, as people can simply enter their campsite and number of nights, swipe the card, and get their permit on the spot.
The pay stations will also be found at all of the county’s cross country ski trails, boat landings, and even at the rifle range this coming fall season.
The new technology isn’t rising prices either. Daily passes will remain at $5, annual passes stay at $40, and family passes are stilll $80.
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