State raises park feesWATKINS 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.
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