State raises park fees

WATKINS GLEN—The Watkins Glen State Park is just one of the state parks in New York to see a fee increase, as part of $4 million in increases for the 2010 season.

Watkins Glen is one of the state’s “flagship” parks to have the vehicle entrance fee increase from $7 to $8. A total of 27 “flagship” parks have increased their entrance fee this year.

Other state park increases announced April 1, were for golf courses, out-of-state camping surcharges and ocean beaches vehicle use fees. According to the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the fee changes are in addition to the 2010-11 budget that calls for closing and reducing operations at dozens of state parks and historic sites.

The higher fees “will not change the number of parks and historic sites slated for those cutbacks.”

The surcharge for out-of-state campers will be $5 per night on campsites and $25 per week on cottage/cabin rentals. According to the parks office, this puts New York in line with other states to have surcharges for out-of-state visitors.

Copyright © 2010 FINGER LAKES MEDIA. All rights reserved.

paterson needs to find $9 billion more

Park on the street and walk in.

trespassing?

If alot of people do that, my guess is that one of two things will happen.

A. The parks will begin charging an entrance fee per person, car or no car.

or...

B. The parks will pressure the locals to make the adjacent street or streets "No Parking Zones", something they will probably do on their own anyway if the street parking becomes a hazard and/or the locals complain about the street parking.

put up parking meters to gain some cash

That's another option. And, of course, bag them as soon as the meter runs out. I've known several communities that would do this.

parking meters may return with the state budget deficit

There's a great fee for services idea that Geneva could use at its not for profits

may eliminate taxes all together