The Abilene Park and Recreation Board on an unspecified date voted against adopting a new native-camping policy for Seedy Park and Johnson Park after a public hearing and extended discussion.

Chris Gibson, assistant director of Parks and Recreation, presented the draft policy and described its key provisions: staff proposed extending allowable native-camping duration from 48 hours to 72 hours, charging a $22 daily camping fee with a three-day maximum of $66, and limiting each permit to a maximum of eight people and up to two tents. "We are asking to charge a camping fee, which is $22 per, day or 24 hour period with a maximum of 3 days or 72 hours, maximum with an amount of $66 total for 3 days," Gibson told the board.

Gibson said the rules borrow enforcement concepts from state parks and would designate the city's marshal's office and lake patrol as the primary enforcers. The policy also proposed quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., designated fire restrictions tied to local burn bans, and a "Leave No Trace" requirement for campers. Staff said permits would be issued through the department's software platform and could be accessed via QR code.

Board members questioned operational details, including tent sizing and how the fees would relate to maintenance costs. Gibson said the fee was intended to be competitive with other parks rather than calculated as a return-on-investment model and that revenues would be deposited to park maintenance accounts. When asked who would clean up after campers, Gibson said park maintenance crews would continue routine trash and restroom servicing and the permit structure would allow enforcement and penalties for violators.

During the vote, one board member offered a brief statement expressing concern about definitions for quiet hours: "Nay. I'd just like like to see a little bit more definition on the quiet hours." That member's objection was recorded as part of the vote, and the motion to adopt the policy failed. The board thanked staff for the work and directed staff to return with more discussion and a revised draft.

The proposed camping ordinance change has already passed a city-council first reading and staff said they plan to take the ordinance to second reading; the board's action means the department will rework the policy language before resubmission to the council.