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published: Friday, July 03, 2009
Higher Fees
Enjoying state parks will get more expensive
DAVID DONALD
Staff Writer
Fees at Florida's state parks will increase July 1. It's the first fee increase in five years.
Threatened with closing some state parks throughout the state next year, state officials decided to raise the fees instead.
There are three state parks in Lake and Sumter counties: Lake Griffin State Park, Lake Louisa State Park and Dade Battlefield Historic State Park.
"It's a sign of the times," said Doug Watson, park manager at Lake Griffin State Park in Fruitland Park. "Some of the busier parks on the coast are higher."
The entrance fee at Lake Griffin State Park will rise from $4 to $5 for vehicles with up to eight passengers. Lake Griffin State Park averages about 35,000 visitors every year, Watson said.
State officials said the increased fees will help supplement revenue sources used to maintain the 160 parks in Florida. The park system raises more than $40 million every year from entrance and user fees.
Only one state park in Florida saw a decrease in its entrance fees. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Spring Hill will go from $26.57 to $13 for adults and from $18.05 to $5 for children.
"This fee increase will help keep Florida's state parks open for residents and visitors to experience while still proving to be one of the most affordable activities in the state," said Bob Ballar, Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Secretary of Land and Recreation. "Florida's award-winning state parks provide inexpensive, high-quality recreation in an unmatched natural setting."
Stealing from the Poor (by: MizzLake - 7/8/2009)
Raising state park entry fees at a time when unemployment is at the highest point in many Lake residents' lifetimes seems criminal to me. If they are already struggling to pay for housing, food, and gasoline, why would our elected leaders pile on yet another increase in fees, as they already have done with vehicle registrations? Homeowners insurances going up 35%, companies requiring employees to take off 1 day out of every 10 they work to reduce costs, and now the state parks RAISE RATES when people need a way to relax more than ever before? Tsk tsk.
