DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. – After another successful paid parking program on Warrior Way this past summer, a new contract has been approved between Douglas County and the Douglas County School District. The new contract spans from 2026 to 2031 and allocates 40 percent of the season’s profits to each the county and the school district, and 20 percent with a minimum of $30,000 to be split between the parent clubs at Whittell High School and Zephyr Cove Elementary.
When the Nevada Department of Transportation implemented safety upgrades to US50 at Zephyr Cove, the impact of no more beach parking on the highway and a change to traffic patterns was going to create a summer impact on Warrior Way, and at Zephyr Cove Park, Zephyr Cove Elementary School, and George Whittell High School, which were of mutual concern to the parties.
In the summer of 2024, a pilot project was created with paid parking for those on the east side of the highway. The parents’ clubs took on watching over the parking area and keeping it free of trash, and the county added portable restrooms, dumpsters and brought in software to accept payments.
Since the parents’ clubs had run a paid parking along Warrior Way and at the schools for years as a fundraiser every 4th of July holiday, the county and school district did not want to harm their income and brought them in as a partner.
This year, the school district and county each received $49,683.05, and the parents’ clubs received $30,000.
During Thursday’s school district meeting, new trustee Markus Zinke questioned the high amount the two parent clubs received for minimal volunteer hours. Once others informed him of the reasons behind the agreement, he joined in on a unanimous approval of the new five-year agreement.
Weekday parking fees will continue to be $20, weekends $40, and holiday parking at $100. Douglas County residents will continue to park for free. New kiosks for credit card payments will be placed before summer 2026. One more change to previous agreements is the date paid parking will start – May 1. When school is in session or there are school events in May and June, paid parking will only be available to the public on weekends and holidays.