Bonner County commissioners have approved a new food vendor to operate at Bonner Park West in Idaho.
Charity Hinshaw received approval to run her food trailer at the park daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in exchange for a $300 monthly fee.
In addition to selling food, Hinshaw agreed to clean the park’s restrooms twice daily and maintain the park grounds, including mowing and watering grass in designated areas.
The vendor agreement runs from July 1 through Sept. 30. It replaces the former model of staffing the park with a county-paid park host, which cost about $1,200 per month.
Hinshaw’s approval follows a May 6 request by county commissioners to explore alternatives to the park host program. Officials were seeking a more cost-effective method to manage maintenance at the riverside site.
Also during the May 6 meeting, Commissioner Asia Williams raised the possibility of transferring ownership of Bonner Park West from the county to the city of Priest River.
She said such a transfer would not affect public access but would change which government is responsible for maintenance.
The discussion on ownership was tabled at that time, pending a decision from the Priest River City Council on whether to accept the property. As of Tuesday’s meeting, the city expressed readiness to do so.
Priest River Mayor Jeff Connolly addressed the commission to confirm the city’s interest in acquiring the park and incorporating it into its Joslyn Park master plan. The plan envisions major upgrades to the area’s recreational infrastructure.
“It has to be public property forever, so it can’t go away,” Connolly said, as reported by Bonner County Daily Bee on July 2. “And that’s part of the gist of this whole thing; what’s the best yield utilization for this.”
While no final decision has been made, the city is developing versions of the Joslyn Park plan with and without Bonner Park West included.
The Joslyn Park master plan outlines the development of a 38-acre site at the confluence of the Priest and Pend Oreille rivers.
Proposed features include an RV park, marina with sheriff’s dock, trails, playground, restrooms, pavilion, concert venue and swimming beach.
According to its website, Bonner County offers open access to its boat ramps for recreational use as summer activities ramp up across the region. While all ramps are currently operational, only select sites remain suitable for launching at low pool levels.
Camping is not allowed at any Bonner County launch sites, which are designated as day-use only.
However, travelers looking to extend their visit can make reservations at Garfield Bay Campground. Forest Service campgrounds and boat launches around Priest Lake remain closed until July 1.