VOLCANO - Mountwood Park’s security system is up and running, but park officials are looking to the future by considering expansions to cover other areas of the massive recreational facility.

Carla Knapp, park director, said the security system covers the Stiles Administration Building and nearby areas of the park. Knapp said the system is already doing its job.

“It has already recorded a group turning over two picnic tables at the marina area and messing around the visitors center. I just need to get the authorities to see if they can recognize the vehicle or persons involved,” she said.

The system provides video surveillance and has many features that enhance park security, said Knapp.

“It has its own computer system, monitor and cameras. You can pan in as long as it is live, but once it is recorded you cannot pan or zoom in on a specific area of concern. There are eight cameras with seven up and running. The eighth one was to be on the sewer treatment plant building, but it is too far from the administration building to pick up footage,” Knapp said.

The cameras cover key areas of the park, Knapp said.

“There are cameras at the marina, visitors center, administration building, marina restroom and parking area, the entrance to the marina and road to the sewer treatment building. The eighth camera is going to go on a pole behind the visitors center soon,” Knapp said. “It is a sophisticated system. It provides coverage 24/7 for 14 days. If you find something that needs recorded to give to authorities, you burn the CD from that system.”

Knapp said park officials and board members will be able to view security footage from their homes.

“Once the IT guy sets up the IP station, the cameras can be brought up on an offsite computer using password, of course. Once the IP is set up and board members and staff have the proper passwords and Web site, they will be able to see live what is going on at the park,” she said.

Knapp said there are areas of the park that remain without security surveillance. The beach house, which is currently undergoing expansion, remains outside the sight of security cameras. In addition, the campgrounds and horse camp aren’t covered by the recently installed security system.

Neil Holmes, Wood County Parks and Recreations Commission member, said he encourages his fellow commissioners to check out the security system. It’s a good system and expanding it to other areas of the park would be a solid move, he said.

“It could do with some add-ons. We need to be looking at the beach house, the gun range and the maintenance garage,” Holmes said. “We also don’t have anything at the campground or horse camp.”

There are logistical problems with implementing a large-scale video surveillance system at the park. When it comes to wire systems, distance is an issue. In addition, upgrading to a wireless system could add to the cost.

“It’s a lot of wire,” said Chris Swarr, parks commission member.

One idea is to implement the same type of system in another area of the park, which would provide coverage to the immediate surrounding area. For example, the system could be installed at the maintenance garage and cover the beach house and gun range.

“We may have to get an additional system to monitor the other areas of concern, being the beach house, gun range, lake, sewer treatment plant, handicapped restroom area and maintenance shop. Once the second base is at the maintenance shop, it would be its own stand-alone system with separate cameras and monitoring,” Knapp said.