Muncie parks board mulls changes to Prairie Creek dock leases

Camping and boat season is here at Prairie Creek Reservoir.  But those looking to lease boat docks are facing massive wait lists.  As IPR’s Thomas Ouellette reports, the Muncie Parks Board is trying a newly drafted leasing policy to help.

Currently, there is no limit to how many docks one person could lease at Prairie Creek Reservoir.  And that’s created a long waiting period for new leasers.

A proposed policy would see people limited to a max of one campsite and two docks.

Muncie Parks Board president Brad Marshall says this comes as one of many changes in recent years.  Until last year, Prairie Creek didn’t even have a formal written set of rules for campers and boaters to follow.

“Historically, I would say maybe some tribal knowledge was involved and there were things recorded multiple different places, not a comprehensive rules list. Somebody couldn’t come in and get a rules book,” said Marshall.

Read More: Parks ordinance change means alcohol is officially legal at Prairie Creek campsites

One rule that could undermine the new changes allows current leasers to transfer their lease to a direct family member. This means that someone could easily request a dock in their spouse’s or child’s name and lease as many as they want.

The board moved against activating any new additions to the current rules for the 2024 season. Further changes and additions to the policy were tabled until the next meeting.

Thomas Ouellette is our reporter and producer.  Contact him at [email protected].