WiFi Now Offered At Elizabeth Milburn Park In Cedar Park

CEDAR PARK, TX — WiFi is now available at Elizabeth Milburn Park, one of the city's most popular outdoor recreation areas, officials announced Thursday.

The service is being offered as a test/pilot program in partnership with Spectrum (formerly Time-Warner Cable), city officials said. The park at 1905 Sun Chase Blvd. is home to the city's annual July Fourth celebration that draws thousands of visitors.

Speaking of July Fourth, that is the date the city and Spectrum tested the new system, according to city officials. Signs were posted throughout the park to alert visitors of the new wireless offering along with contact information to provide feedback.

“We talked with some citizens who used it and they loved it,” the city's Director of Information Services, Tim Scott, reported.

On July 4, the city saw 1,856 connections to the wireless system, peaking with 487 sustained devices at 8 p.m., according to city officials. There are now about 40 daily connections to the new system, officials added.

How it works

All Spectrum Internet customers receive unlimited WiFi access in Milburn Park while guest users are allowed up to 60 minutes per day access with the option to pay $2.95 per hour for additional access.

Parks patrons’ mobile devices will display one of three network IDs: TWCWIFI, TWC WIFI Passpoint, or Cable WIFI. Upon connecting to any of these networks, a user should select “Visitor Access”. The user will then be prompted to enter his or her e-mail address and address ZIP Code.

Background

This partnership with Spectrum came about while the city’s Information Services department was investigating options to add wireless internet service in parks. Spectrum offered to test a pilot program to provide wireless service in one park, free of charge.

The city agreed and partnered with Spectrum to create a detailed plan for installing a wireless solution in Elizabeth Milburn Park. The solution involved designing a deployment that was aesthetically pleasing, avoided any potential trip hazards and would blend in well with the existing facility. City Council subsequently approved this design and authorized the pilot project. The city entered into a three-year agreement with Spectrum to test the program.

Installation was completed in early summer. There are ten access points installed throughout the park. This includes two access points in the pool area and eight scattered throughout the park to provide adequate coverage.

“So far it’s been outstanding service,” Scott said.

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