The other day, Connie posted an article about getting into Michigan State Parks for free next weekend (this weekend?), and someone commented that they never have to pay to enter a state park.
Here in Michigan, the state park program is 90 years old, and in their own words, is in tatters. With the economy in a downturn, and Michigan suffering greatly due to the loss of the automobile industry over the past 5-10 years, our state does not have the money to fund the parks.
As far back as I can remember, it's always cost money to get into the parks. The money is for upkeep, repairs, ranger salaries, and expansion or clearing of areas in the parks. Michigan has state parks all over, and they're huge, rural, and fantastic treasures.
Today, they came up on my yahoo group, and I heard that for the first time, the state is considering a different option for entering the parks. Currently, you can pay for a 1 day pass, which allows you entrance to any state park for that day, or you can buy a window sticker, which allows you free entrance for the entire calendar year to any state park.
The cost depends on whether or not you are a state resident. State residents get in cheaper than people from out of state. It runs anywhere from $4-8 to get in for a day, and $24 or more for a yearly pass, up from $20 just a few years back.
Typically, Michigan residents count for $11,000,000 in revenue from state parks, all of which is recycled directly back into the parks.
Right now, the state is trying to come up with a new way to earn money, while saving us residents money. In short, the idea that was proposed stands to either soar high, or tumble badly. The state wants to allow people the option of getting a state tag along with their license plate renewal tags. The tag would be optional, and would only cost $10.
It would be good for a year- until you renew your plates again. The idea is that with it being easier to access, and being asked upfront, and with it being a $14/car savings, more people would be willing to pay it up front. It's estimated that if even half of the registered vehicle owners participated, the state could raise an additional $24,000,000 towards parks.
The other option on the table is raising the cost of the tags from $24 to $36, a 50% raise in price, making it less appealing to the people of Michigan.
The state parks here in Michigan offer so much-
Camping
Beaches
Hiking
Canoing
Fishing
Biking
Picnicking
Playgrounds
Wild Life Watching
Shooting Ranges
Skiing
Snowmobiling
Hunting
Dog Sledding
The programs are great, and they are a huge source of revenue from tourism, which is one of the top 3 ways Michigan brings money into the state.
If either option for raising the funds fail, the state will have to start shutting off access to some of the parks, and letting staff go. This means lost money to the state in wages, and in tourism money.
I am hoping the $10 fee goes through. If it does, I know I'd do it, even though we don't live near a park. I would do it so we could visit a few parks, and so that the money would go towards something that I feel this state needs- frugal fun. ;)
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Comments: 16
We buy the stickers for a year and enter any park here run by the state. Of course county parks require another sticker. We haven't done that for 3 or 4 years now. We have a lot of parks that don't require them and we usually frequent them. I wonder what NY state will do this year with their parks. Our state budget is in a mess, so I guess it can't be good news for everyone here.
I would HATE to see our fees increase. I really like the $10 idea :)
We really don't have any state parks by me so I'm not sure how much it costs for ours. There are a few parks that charge, usually only a couple of dollars. Our county parks are all free. Thanks tourists!!!!
I agree that Michigan State parks are really something special. We used to spend a lot of time at them as part of our summer recreation. But for our family putting the fee onto the license plate tags would not be a good idea, because both our licenses come due around Christmas! We're always broke that time of year, since hubby was always laid off that month. Vehicle regristration is due, and usually we have to put one vehicle in "storage" with our insurance company until February or March when our tax $$ comes in and we can afford the registration on the second vehicle again. One more fee isn't needed that time of year.
I think the idea would be great for others, but I feel sorry for those with birthdays around Christmas!
I really do hope that Michigan can figure out a way to save our parks. They are a big part of our tourist industry. And right now it is the tourists that are keeping us afloat. It certainly isn't the auto industry!!
We LOVE our state parks! We purchase a annual pass each year. Day passes are available for $3/day. That's a great price for a day's worth of family fun!
I think the $10.00 idea is the best option.
I don't go. I bet most don't. So those that do should pay what it costs. Otherwise it's vacation welfare for the few.
Our county parks charge 1.50 on weekends I think.
They are nothing like yours though:)
We get our Michigan yearly park sticker for $6 because my husband is over 65.
I've no idea, I know a couple of free ones and another great one that charges like $4.50 or so.
I love the state parks in Minnesota, I need to get my annual pass as we have 2 that are very close to us.
We have to buy either a one day or an annual pass for the parks here. I don't know what it runs now...the one day was $3.
Your tags are still cheaper than mine Heather. I had to renew the truck tags because they expired today...it was $143.00. That is just for 1 vehicle. When the van comes due in December (hubby's b-day), it will be another $125 or so.
We have Montana de Oro State Park right down the road from us in CA and that is one of the ones that they are talking about closing or at least starting to charge. It is free unless you want to camp now.
It is a great place to go and think or walk the dog, but if they start charging me just to walk in, I will be done with it. An annual pass to all of the state parks is $90. I think $10, like you in Michigan would be a lot easier to swallow.
I usually buy a pass~ we have not gone yet this year but I am planning on it :)
I like the $10 idea A LOT. We ALWAYS buy a yearly pass for ONE of our vehicles (our van) but it would be nice to be able to use/bring BOTH into the parks.
There are times we go camping (with the van) and we'd love to bring the boat along too, but can't obviously tow both the camper and the boat with one vehicle. If both had stickers we'd just bring both. Also there are times we would like to camp even though hubby has to work, but we don't go.... because I can't be left at the state park without a vehicle for the kids and I.