OKEECHOBEE — Okeechobee County Commissioners are considering the option of allowing some overnight parking on county property to accommodate visitors who hike on the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail or kayak on the Kissimmee River.

At the Dec. 28 meeting of the Okeechobee County Commission, Community Services Director said the county has been receiving requests for overnight parking from trail associations. She said the county does not currently allow overnight parking at the Okee-Tantie Recreation Area, the C. Scott Driver Boat Ramps or the Clif Betts Jr. Memorial Lakeside Recreation Area (aka Lock 7).

“They would like to park at one of the facilities close to the river for overnight camping on a trail along the river,” she explained.

Whitehead said the campers would park their cars and then be shuttled to the hiking or kayaking starting point.

She said they have recently received an increase in requests for hiking the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail.

Commission Brad Goodbread advised against allowing overnight parking at Okee-Tantie, since they hope Bass Pro will take it over soon.

Commissioner Kelly Owens suggested the county have a policy in regard to overnight parking on other county properties.

Whitehead said such parking would require a permit which would be displayed on the dashboard. She said people would not be allowed to sleep in the vehicles.

“There would not be any camping or sleeping in the vehicle. They would leave their vehicle, shuttle up, and return to the vehicles the next day,” she explained.

Commission Chair David Hazellief said he is concerned that such permits might make more work for the deputies on patrol, who would have to get out of their patrol cars to check vehicles for parking permits.

“We need to get the sheriff’s input on this one,” he said. He said allowing some cars to be parked at Lock 7 might make it easier for vandals to hide out until everyone else is gone.

“Because of what the vandals do down there, we’ve got to give them (deputies) every tool in the toolbox to prevent it,” said Hazellief.

Whitehead said she has done quite a bit of research on what other counties are doing in regard to overnight parking. She said she could put together a draft policy for the sheriff’s review.