There are no easy answers to what to do about our National Parks.

Overall the parks have seen a decrease in visitors. Yet, in some cases on the East Coast we've seen an increase and problems with "overuse" of the National Park System. Out West and Alaska, there are more foreign visitors than citizens.

The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting research with how to reach out to the "new" demographics we are witnessing in the USA....because people of African-American and Latino backgrounds traditionally don't use the parks. So because of fewer visitors and appreciation of why the parks were established,there is the concern of even less Federal Budget money to sustain them.

Personally, I put part of the blame at the feet of the consessionaires in the parks. It seems very little money they make goes back into the Parks! It goes to the consessionaire....who are NOT losing money like we are sometimes led to believe.

There is also the question of "just how do we make use of the parks"...do we allow mechanized vehicles into the parks or do we attempt to preserve them? Should we allow more ventures such as helicopter tours of the parks...which interfere with enjoying the park from a naturalist perspective?

AND who does have the "right" to leisure and recreational pursuits? Is it really for everyone? It took major legislation to make the Parks accessible to people with physical disabilities!

Posted By Stephanie Younkins on May 14, 2007, 3:42 AM

The National Parks belong to everyone. Please make them affordable to everyone including young families. Make them a priority in spending in this country.

Posted By Sue Rollins on May 14, 2007, 8:32 AM

As a former NPS Ranger of 15 years those who say even with the fee increases the parks are a bargain are missing the point and don't know the whole story. First, did you know that the fees you pay do not necessarily go back into the park you visited? The parks only get a percentage back, the rest goes into the general treasury. So stop thinking that these fees are supporting the parks - most of the fee is not. Second, the parks were set aside for all to enjoy, not just those who can afford it. Finally, if you really think that the parks and the National Park Service are worthy (and all polls suggest the American public does by overwhelming numbers), then urge Congress to stop moving in the direction of a "pay-as-you-go" National Park System and start supporting the parks through the appropriations process, i.e. through the taxes we all pay so ALL may enjoy our National Parks.

Posted By Fred Doyle on May 14, 2007, 10:07 AM

Perhaps a reduced rate should be offered to those with a valid US driver's license. Here in Milwaukee County, there are days when county residents get in free to the county zoo or museum, just by presenting proof of county residence. This way, foreign visitors (who can probably afford it) can pay their fair share.

Posted By Christine O'Meally on May 14, 2007, 10:21 AM

Like everything else, the parks need maintenance, and as all costs go up, so too does the cost of maintenance. If they are to survive, they must get the needed funds, in increased taxes/fees. I truly think this is a worthwhile increase - much less than taking your family to many other entertainment places (i.e. Disney, etc.) C'mon folks - just think about it!

Posted By Clairee on May 14, 2007, 10:28 AM

We have a cabin near Yellowstone, and when our kids come up they want us to go with them and take our National Parks pass, otherwise they can't afford to pay to go in the park.

The problem is that the National Park Service is trying to maintain too many small, minimally attended, or second tier attractions. If they would concentrate on the important parks, which for the most part are the older parks, and stop siphoning off the money from them to the less important parks, then they would become more self sustaining.

Also, many of the parks are closing off extremely large areas to auto travel, making many of the features inaccessible to the handicapped and seasoned citizens and sometimes families with young children. Teddy Roosevelt said that the national parks are supposed to be for the benefit of the people of the country. If those who are less mobile could find more enjoyment in the parks, maybe they would attend more, thus bumping up revenues.

The Park Service seems to think that they have to be constantly acquiring property. If they would evaluate honestly what is worth keeping, and then concentrate on making those assets the best they can be, then they will be more successful.

Posted By Jean Corey on May 14, 2007, 10:55 AM

I have a great respect for the national parks, and I hope they continue to be funded sufficiently to maintain their beauty. The increased fees are a little difficult to swallow, however; and I'd like to believe our taxes pay for some measure of the expenses. I know the funding from that sector has been dimishing. I believe the profit-taking concessions have a responsibility to support the parks significantly, and I could see a possibility of differing rates for foreign/domestic/low-income/etc. admission rates (unfortunately, that would doubtless add to the administrative costs and be of no end value to the parks) to encourage more educated and expanded use of the parks.
The number of foreign visitors to the parks was surprising to me when I visited a few of the southwest parks in recent years, but I am pleased that these visitors are exposed to this facet of our country. The park staff I have encountered are excellent ambassadors, the facilities are well-maintained and the access is reasonable. I hope we can maintain the standards we have established.

Posted By Gail Arndt on May 14, 2007, 11:14 AM

I have worked for National Park Service. Money is needed to maintain hiking paths, prevent forest fires, maintain facilities, keep poachers from killing off endangered species, and much more. I am willing to pay the price. Our parks will much needed. I enjoy them

Posted By Bonnie Buining on May 14, 2007, 2:28 PM

No one enjoys paying higher entry fees to National Parks. However, consider that every taxpayer in the nation pays to support the parks, but only some of us get to use and enjoy them. We should be paying for that privilege. As all other costs continue to rise, maintaining the national parks also increases costs. If you do a lot of park-hopping, it really pays to buy the annual pass. There is truly nothing for nothing, is there?

Posted By Margaret Tajc on May 14, 2007, 4:46 PM

Fee demo was put in place in 1996, and was supposed to buttress the flagging agencies responsible for our country's interior. Unfortunately, it also allowed for much privatisation of the agencies front-end workings. An interesting fact, aside from the one about us already paying for our interior via taxes, is that approximately 90% of the funds raised by these agencies is misappropriated each year, and those funds, according the GAO, cannot accounted for. The majority of what can be accounted for has been appropriated by the DOD. Hm. Interesting. So instead of just being able to go to the forests, parks, mountains, etcetera, that our taxes are supposed to provide for, we have to pay additional, rising fees, while our funds are paying for a war we don't really approve of. Hm....

Posted By Jenn Consolato on May 14, 2007, 5:38 PM

Get over it. A year long park pass costs less than 1 day at a theme park. Old people (the wealthiest demographic group) already get an undeserved and nearly free ride. There seems to be a sense of entitlement to luxuries in our nation. If you can't afford a vacation, stay home or better yet, lose the $10 movies, Game Boys, $4 coffees, high def tv's, etc.

Posted By John Zimmerman on May 14, 2007, 7:11 PM

The problem is that the Federal Government has cut the parks budget so much that they can't even maintain staffing levels much less fix the roads & buildings. That money has to come from somewhere & that leaves increasing entrance fees. I like Jenn's comparison to the cost of going to a theme park!

Posted By Jeff on May 16, 2007, 12:40 AM

I see the increased fees in the context of war on conservation and environmental protection laws by the Bush administration.

Posted By Amy-Louise Mazza on May 17, 2007, 5:34 AM

My husband and I are on a life quest to see all our National Park Sites therefore the annual Pass is, by far, the best value out there. To date we have visited over 200 of our nation's treasures and plan vacations around the sites we haven't visited. We keep track of our travels in the 'Passport To Your National Parks' sold in the bookstore/consession shop at each park site. There is a cancellation stamp at the ranger's desk as well as a stamp that depicts regional favorite park sites. We have been doing this for 14 years and hope, one day, to say we saw all of our National Park sites.

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