Baker County parks board opposes plan to hire outside manager
Parks board members opposed a contractor plan for Hewitt and Holcomb parks, where one management change could affect restrooms, boat ramps and the $45 season pass.
Baker County’s parks advisory board pushed back on a plan to hire an outside contractor for Hewitt Park and John Holcomb Park, putting a simple question at the center of the debate: who handles a clogged restroom, a missed mowing job or a campsite problem when the county is no longer running the parks day to day?
The parks have wide paved boat ramps, fish-cleaning stations, trailer parking, restrooms, picnic areas and RV and tent camping. The county allows reservations up to 12 months in advance and sets a $45 season pass for boat launching and day use.
The contractor discussion is not new. In January 2020, commissioners eliminated the parks coordinator position and said they would look for a contractor to manage Hewitt and Holcomb after revenue from the parks declined and no sustainable alternate funding had emerged. Any return to that model would force commissioners to weigh whether a private manager could keep maintenance, fee collection and visitor services running as reliably as county staff do now.
The issue comes after Baker County adopted Ordinance No. 2025-07 on Dec. 3, 2025. The ordinance applies to Hewitt Park, John Holcomb Park, Hells Canyon Information Wayside, Halfway Wigwam, Wingville Cemetery, Fizz Spring, Sumpter Valley Dredge Tailings and Bishop Spring Rest Area, and it assigns administration and enforcement to the Baker County Parks Department and the Baker County Sheriff under the direction of the Board of Commissioners.
For Hewitt and Holcomb, the ordinance sets designated camping spaces, fee assessments tied to amenities, a six-hour minimum occupancy rule in any 24-hour period and a 21-consecutive-night limit unless the parks director approves an extension. Camping typically runs from mid-March through Oct. 31, with limited first-come, first-served dry camping available from November through February. Travel Oregon puts the campground season at roughly April 1 through Sept. 30, weather permitting, with limited winter camping.
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