It’s too early to know how the pending Tennessee State Budget will impact state parks, but visitors can expect to be paying an access fee at more state parks in the near future.
“We’re like everybody else,” says Kim Olson, a spokesperson with the Tennessee Dept. of Environment and Conservation. “We’re waiting to get a look at the budget after Governor Sundquist has reviewed it and decides how to proceed.”
Earlier this year TDEC Commissioner Milton Hamilton said a reduced budget could force him to make dramatic cuts in state parks. More recently concerns have been raised about the possibility of closing Tims Ford State Park if funds can’t be found to fix the wastewater treatment plant.
Of course one possibility to fund state parks is an entrance fee. Tennessee is one of the few states in the country that doesn’t charge a flat admission fee to all of its parks.
In February the state did begin charging a $3.00 per car access fee at four of its parks on an experimental basis. The plan is to expand the program and by Memorial Day of the year 2002, you can expect to pay an access fee to enter at least ten more state parks across the state.
The Tennessee Legislature has passed a law that guarantees that all money collected through the program will go pack to the state parks. It can’t be diverted to other projects. Olsen says to-date they’ve collected $211,000.
During the first few months, visitation at the four parks charging admission has dropped. For instance, this year from March 1 through June 30, 332,190 people visited the Ocoee River State Park in Polk County. During the same time period last year, 383,403 people visit. That’s about a 13 percent drop.
Olsen says, “there’s no way to know at this point if the access fee caused fewer people to visit. There are a lot of other factors to consider such as weather.”
The department is in the process of establishing a priority list of parks that will be added to the access fee program. Some are expected to be added this summer.
Three years ago, the Governor allocated $12 million for a "boost" to state park maintenance. Olson says, “we were woefully behind at the time. That additional money was to be split over three years. During that time, we improved our maintenance, and we were chosen by the National Sports Foundation as one of the top four park systems in the nation. That maintenance money ran out at the end of the last fiscal year. The purpose of this access fee is to replace that money so that we can continue our high quality of service without burdening the budget or the taxpayer.”
Here’s a few more the “Frequently Asked Questions” about the Park Access Fee program:
What will it cost to visit a Tennessee State Park that charges a fee?
The access fee charges will be standardized at parks that collect fees. The base fee is $3.00 per vehicle per day for up to eight people. Multi-Visit Passes, which will be good for the calendar year, will cost $30.00 per vehicle. If you wish to purchase additional Multi-Visit Passes for vehicles registered to the same address, they can be purchased for $10.00 each. Multi-Visit Passes are valid at any Tennessee State Park that charges a fee regardless of where it is purchased.
The fee for large passenger vans (9-15 people) is $10.00 per day. Fees for commercial vehicles carrying over 15 people will be .50 per person with a $10.00 minimum. Special rates may apply at certain facilities depending on type of usage.
Are there any free days?
In response to user comments and in an effort to make free time at the parks more readily available to the general public, effective May 1, 2001, every Tuesday will be an all day free day. Now park visitors have a weekly opportunity to enjoy the park without paying a fee. Also, there is NO CHARGE for school groups on educational field trips.
How is the money collected?
More than one collection method is being used for the pilot parks. Pinson Mounds and Ocoee River are using the fee envelope and fee tube method of collection for the issuance of daily passes. In this method the park visitor picks up a fee envelope at the fee station, detaches the hangtag from the envelope, places the daily fee into the envelope, then places the envelope into the fee tube at the fee station. The visitor then places the hangtag on the inside rear view mirror to show proof of payment. If a visitor would like to purchase a multi-visit pass at Pinson Mounds or Ocoee River, they may be purchased at the Pinson Museum or the Ocoee River Park Office during regular business hours. At selected times on the Ocoee River, multi-visit passes will be available at the Roger's Branch River Access.
Radnor Lake and Long Hunter will be using automated pay stations for the collection of access fees. When using the automated pay station, the visitor will select from the display on the screen of the machine what type of pass they would prefer to purchase, daily or monthly. When the selection is made, the visitor will insert payment, (cash, coins or credit card), in the amount for the type of pass which had been previously selected. The machine will then dispense a receipt which should be placed face up on the dash of the vehicle.
If the visitor purchases a multi-visit pass from the machine, the receipt can be redeemed at the park office for a plastic hangtag at the visitors' convenience. If the visitor prefers, they may also purchase a pass with cash or check at the park office. At this time, credit cards are accepted at only at the automated pay stations.
By observing for the above mentioned receipts and hangtags, park rangers will monitor fee collection areas to ensure compliance.
Where will the money go?
Thanks to a bill passed by the General Assembly, 100% of the money collected will stay in Tennessee State Parks. The Fee Program is designed to be self supporting and initially, part of the money collected will be used to expand the program into additional parks. Parks participating in the program will benefit by receiving back a significant portion of the collections that they generate. Ultimately, money generated by this program will be used for the continued maintenance and upkeep of the parks and for small projects such as trails, trail shelters, information kiosks, facility upkeep, and other minor improvements.
When will the program expand to other parks and which parks will be next?
By the end of March 2001, all 4 pilot parks will be up and running and will have gone through at least one monthly reporting cycle. What we learn during this implementation period will be used to guide us in our future expansion. The primary purpose of the pilot program is to establish convenient and equitable means to collect fees for the use of the parks while at the same time maximizing our revenue. We are also being very receptive to public input during this period of transition. Changes in