In Summary:..."the cost of surf fishing permits will be raised from $50 to $65 for Delaware residents, from $100 to $130 non-residents, from $40 to $55 for Delaware seniors and from $80 to $110 for non-resident seniors."
Full Press Release
July 7, 2005
Volume 35, Number 2005
Division of Parks and Recreation
Contact: Greg Abbott, Office of the Director, phone: (302) 739-9200
or Clyde Shipman, Operations, phone: (302) 739-9220
State Park Fee Increases to Go Into Effect July 23
Beginning July 23, Delaware's state parks will be instituting the first significant fee increase since 1986. The fee hikes are expected to generate a much-needed $1.1 million in revenue. Users have historically contributed at least 65 percent of the costs of maintaining state parks through the fees charged.
"This is not a windfall," said State Parks Director Charles A. Salkin, "The increases will offset the rising costs to operate the state parks in the consistent, clean and safe manner that the public has come to expect. Plus, we know that by maintaining our high satisfaction rating for all levels of park management, we draw tourists from out of state, which adds to the economic benefits to the state and the surrounding communities as well as the parks. The cost of operating any business has increased dramatically over the past two decades since our fees were last changed and our state park system is no exception."
At present, most of the parks charge a $2.50 daily entrance fee per vehicle for Delaware residents, $5 for out-of-state vehicles. The new fee schedule approved by the General Assembly raises daily entrance fees for the inland parks to $3 for residents, $6 for non-residents. This includes Trap Pond, Killens Pond, Fox Point, Brandywine Creek, Lums Pond, White Clay Creek and Bellevue state parks and other sites. The daily entrance fee for the ocean parks (Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore, Fenwick Island) will be $4 for Delawareans and $8 for non-residents.
Annual passes, which offer unlimited visits to 12 state parks and several nature preserves, will increase from $20 to $27 for Delaware residents and from $40 to $54 for non-residents.
Seniors will still receive a significant discount. Annual passes for Delawareans will increase from $10 to $12 and for non-residents from $20 to $24. The lifetime pass that is now available for Delaware seniors 65 and older will increase from $45 to $50.
In addition, the cost of surf fishing permits will be raised from $50 to $65 for Delaware residents, from $100 to $130 non-residents, from $40 to $55 for Delaware seniors and from $80 to $110 for non-resident seniors.
"We still believe – and think most park visitors agree – that we offer the best outdoor recreation bargain anywhere," said Salkin. "Many visitors are surprised by our low fees and have asked for years why we don't charge more."
Anyone planning state park visits for the rest of the year can still get an annual pass at the old rate through July 22. They're available at park offices, at state park headquarters in Dover and on-line at http://www.destateparks.com.
"The changes favor Delawareans," Salkin said. "Since residents support the parks through their taxes, it's only fair for our out-of-state visitors – whom we highly value – to make up part of the difference."
In 2004, eighty-six percent of the non-residents paying a daily entrance fee visited an ocean beach park. These facilities are the most costly for the Division of Parks and Recreation to operate because of lifeguards, bath houses and other amenities.
Delaware State Parks held the line at $1 per car per visit and $5 for an annual pass from 1971, when they first began collecting entrance fees, until 1977. That year daily entrance fees were raised to $2 per vehicle and annual passes to $10. In 1986, the daily entrance fee was changed to $2 per vehicle and 50 cents for each additional passenger. In 1992, this was standardized at $2.50 per vehicle and $20 for an annual pass. (Non-resident fees have usually been double those for residents.)
A big part of the added revenue will be used for pay hikes for more than 500 seasonal employees, their first raise in hourly salary in four years.
"When you're paying just 10 cents above the minimum wage requirement, it's difficult to recruit, hire and retain a competent work force," according to Salkin. "These folks are front line visitor contacts who provide invaluable service to our park system in all areas, including revenue collection, grounds maintenance, domestic services for the restroom facilities, environmental education programming, enforcement and lifeguarding at our ocean beaches and our water park."
Hey, I was just marking my territory!