Despite staffing challenges and more rain days than in previous years, city staff reported that the 2021 river season was marked by increases in first-time guests and parking revenue.
“We did have seasonal staffing challenges just like everybody else in town,” said Amy Niles, river operations manager for the city, during an Oct. 11 report given to City Council members. “[The Parks and Recreation Department] did a great job with the staff that they did get, and we hope that next year we'll be able to staff a bit better.”
Compared to the 2020 season, Niles said the number of new guests and families that visited the river increased and river staff saw greater interest in initiatives such as the free life jacket program and the tube chute by-pass wristbands.
Although there were more rainy days this season than in previous years, Niles said the increase in visitors contributed to revenues returning to nearly pre-pandemic levels.
