Over 250 cars parked along Warrior Way on July 4; 23 towed from no parking areas on US50

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - With the new parking situation on US50 and along Warrior Way at Zephyr Cove, the results of a busy holiday were unknown, until now.

The Whittell High School/Zephyr Cove parent groups were running parking operations at the two schools and along Warrior Way as their annual fundraiser. PTA and Booster Club Treasurer Erinn Miller said July 4 ran fairly well, with most drivers paying the $100 holiday fee to park off the highway in an area with temporary restrooms and dumpsters. Miller was on Warrior Way with family and other parent volunteers on Thursday and Friday. The non-holiday-period fee to park for the day is $20 on weekdays and $40 on weekends. Douglas County residents are free.

The fee to park inside Zephyr Cove Resort was $40 for the holiday and they filled up quickly.

About 250 cars were parked at Warrior Way and the schools, rather than 800 to 900 cars in previous years, according to Douglas County Assistant Manager Scott Morgan. "Overcrowding at the beach was significantly reduced."

Morgan said sanitation was enhanced and the overall user experience was much more positive than in previous years.

Some people found out the hard way that the "no parking" signs on US50 in front of the Zephyr Cove Resort meant business and that there was no tolerance for illegal parking. On July 4, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) and the Nevada State Police had 23 vehicles parked illegally towed. They were towed to a temporary impound set up nearby, and besides a $305 illegal parking ticket, they also had to pay a $300 tow fee and an impound fee before getting their car back (and they only got keys back if not under the influence).

"We will do a final assessment as we get through this weekend and certainly make modifications to enhance our program for the future," said Morgan. "This also was the most successful parking compliance program in Douglas County's history."

DCSO also issued more than 18 citations for a variety of traffic violations and other parking violations and said 10 were arrested (Minor Consuming: 3,
Assault on Officer: 2, Obstructing: 4, Trespassing: 1, Resisting: 2, Possession of Controlled Substance: 1, Possession of Paraphernalia: 2, DUI: 4, Intoxicated Pedestrian on Highway: 1, Child Neglect: 1).

Miller said most people on July 4 were respectful along Warrior Way, but on July 5 she was hearing a lot more complaining about the fee and she was being yelled at, especially since paid parking at the resort filled up very early.

The proceeds will be split with 40 percent going to the County, 40 percent to Douglas County School District, and 20 percent to the two school's booster clubs/PTAs. The school groups are guaranteed $30,000 by the County and a percentage of the gross income.

For years, beachgoers have been parking along US50 at Zephyr Cove to access the beaches at both Zephyr Cove Resort Beach and Zephyr Shoals. It was a nightmare to drive by the resort on popular beach days with cars left in no parking zones, tires over the white lines when parked, and people walking along US50 on both sides of the highway.

DCSO, in collaboration with the Nevada State Police, patrolled Highway 50, focusing on no-parking zones, and removed approximately 23 illegally parked vehicles. DCSO issued more than 18 citations for a variety of traffic violations and other parking violations.

DCSO would like to extend gratitude to their partners for their contributions to a safe and successful holiday: Douglas County, Nevada State Police, Carson City Sheriff’s Office, Storey County Sheriff’s Office, US Forest Service, and Aramark Corp.

"We want to recognize the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and the Douglas County, County Manager for their proactive approach and innovation to address a growing problem during 4 July at Douglas County beaches," added Morgan.