Lake Keowee Parks to get Iron Rangers!

In the Daily Journal today. www.UpstateToday.com

‘Iron Rangers’ to guard county parks Collection boxes take new daily parking fees

By Carlos Galarza (Contact / Staff Bio) February 4, 2009 - 11:01 p.m. EST

WALHALLA — Visitors to county parks are being asked to deposit daily parking fees into rustic collection boxes tagged with the name “Iron Rangers.”
The boxes, made from scratch at the Oconee County Rock Quarry, have been in place at each of the county’s three parks — Chau Ram, High Falls and South Cove — since Jan. 26. Iron Rangers were rolled in to coincide with the county’s fee changes at the parks.
The daily parking fee schedule is $2 per vehicle and $5 for a vehicle with trailer, recreational vehicle or bus.
A more economical option for frequent park users is a $25 annual pass available only to Oconee residents. Seniors 62 and up, the permanently disabled and veterans pay $15 for the annual passes, which are available at each park office.
County Council touched a nerve with the public last spring when it introduced parking fees of $2 per person per visit. That was scrapped in favor of the current fee schedule.
County Administrator Dale Surrett said it would take a year or two to know how much revenue fees would generate.
What happens if you decide to ignore the box thinking no one is watching?
Oconee Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director Phil Shirley said such action could result in a citation and a trip to the Magistrate’s Office for violating a county ordinance.