Plympton-Wyoming wants to put a park and pay system at Highland Glen – but it’s proving to be a little more work than expected.

The town recently took over the management of the Lake Huron park after years of waiting to see the boat launch at the site repaired.

It was closed in 2019 after high water and winds damaged the steel groins around the ramp. The conservation authority hired an engineer to look at the damage to the ramp and also the banks of the park which were collapsing. After getting a $3 million estimate to repair the launch and the banks, the authority board stepped back and opted to continue studying the problem t
Plympton-Wyoming stepped up, offering to take over the park and eventually take ownership of it.

This fall, the town’s contractor completed about $105,000 in repairs on the boat ramp. Now the town is trying to find ways to make sure people using the launch help pay for its upkeep.

Town staff want to put in a park and pay system. It’s not clear yet what they might charge for parking and a launch but officials do say people simply using the park won’t be required to pay a fee.

But Mayor Gary Atkinson says an attempt to put internet based system on the lakeshore isn’t working because of the poor cellular service in the area.
Atkinson says there are other options including a type of toll, but staff is still working out the kinks.

“We’re hoping to have that an answer by the end of the month when our next council meeting is so we can have that in place this spring

The wireless system could cost about $25,000.
Meantime, staff is working on a plan to provide more parking at the park, expanding the lot near the boat launch to the west and clearing out a little more room at the west parking lot which leads to the park.