The approximately $400,000 access-control plan follows a May shooting that killed one person and injured 22 others, including six juveniles.
EDMOND — Four months after a deadly shooting at Arcadia Lake, the Edmond City Council has directed staff to continue developing a plan for automated gates and cameras at all five city-operated lake parks.
The approximately $400,000 proposal would connect park admission to Edmond’s existing reservation system, giving the city greater control over who enters when park entrances are not staffed.
The May 3 shooting occurred during an unauthorized party promoted on social media that drew a large crowd to the lake after dark. Avianna Smith-Gray, 18, died from her injuries, and 22 other people suffered gunshot or shrapnel wounds. Six of those injured were juveniles.
City Manager A.J. Krieger said Monday that Edmond formed a team drawn from several departments after the council asked staff earlier this summer to examine policies for renting and using lake facilities.
Krieger said the resulting proposal attempts to preserve public access while giving the city more control over activities at the lake.
“We really worked to try and strike a balance between still providing access to the parks and to the recreational amenities at the lake, but also provide for a little better access control,” Krieger said.
Codes would control entry
Arcadia Lake Manager Nicole Offutt said automated gates would be installed at Edmond Park, Spring Creek Park, Central State Park, Scissortail Campground and Carl Reherman Park.
Visitors who make reservations, buy day passes or hold annual passes would receive codes allowing them through the gates. The system could prevent a code from admitting another vehicle until the original user had left the park. Codes also would stop working when the reservation or pass expired.
The system would provide lake employees with information about who had reserved facilities and a contact person for each gathering.
Cameras would cover vehicles entering and leaving the parks. The proposed Avigilon system would use artificial intelligence-based software to alert employees to unusual activity, including a large number of people entering a park after hours.
Councilman Barry K. Moore asked Police Chief J.D. Younger whether he supported the proposal. Younger, seated away from a microphone, indicated that he did.
Earlier plan would be accelerated
Automated gates and entrance improvements were already included in Edmond’s 2023 Arcadia Lake Needs Analysis and Master Plan.
Some improvements were scheduled for later phases of the plan. Offutt said the city now proposes installing the access-control system at all five parks at the same time.
The project also would require minor roadway and shoulder work so vehicles could turn around before reaching closed gates. Offutt said much of that work could be handled by city public works employees.
The gates and roadway improvements are estimated to cost just under $300,000. Cameras and software licensing would add approximately $90,000. The estimates do not include money for unexpected expenses.
The Arcadia Lake Commission recommended moving forward with the proposal last week. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is scheduled to consider it Thursday.
Council members expressed support Monday but did not authorize construction or spending. City staff must identify funding and obtain final price quotes before returning for formal action.
“I think we’re on the right path,” Mayor Mark Nash told staff. “Keep going, and when you’ve got something for us to act on, come back.”
