Winter Parking Lot Closures

This winter, the Parks and Recreation Department is closing several parking lots in order to reduce ongoing maintenance and deter illicit activity. The parks will remain open for public use - only the parking lots will be closed. The lots that will be closed for the 2011-2012 winter season are listed below.

Parking Lots Closed for the 2011-2012 Winter Season

• Atkins Park (open for construction access only)
• Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary off Rollins Road (open for construction access only)
• Antimi T-Ball in Cosmo Park (drive is also closed at Parkside roundabout)
• Kiwanis Park - Maplewood Drive
• Nifong Park - Nifong Blvd. (open for construction access only)

Staff anticipates that the lots will reopen on Saturday, March 24, 2012 - the first day of spring break. Lots that were selected for closing have the following characteristics:

1. No active recreation programs
2. Facilities are winterized and closed for the season
3. Have parking available on other lots within the park or on adjacent streets
4. Have some history of illicit activity, ranging from illegal trash dumping to underage drinking to contraband consumption or sales

Closing parking areas in the off season has long been a common management tool in many park systems, including Columbia's. The Parks and Recreation Department used to close the Twin Lakes Recreation Area every winter, as well as a majority of Cosmo Park. However, with the addition of year-round recreation amenities, such as the TLRA Dog Park and the Cosmo Skate Park, those areas have been left open.

As the Department prepares the 2013 Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan, staff will look at how other parking lots may be restricted or closed during the winter, while keeping the park open and available to the public.