New, doubled fees at state parks are driving campers to private and out-of-state sites
By: Mary Ellen Godin
Posted: Saturday, March 6, 2010
Lisa Martin and her family usually take off in April for a weekend of fishing at Macedonia Brook State Park in Kent.
It's a no-frills, rustic campsite with portable toilets and water hauled back from a well. Last year it cost $11 per night to pitch a tent, but this year the fees for the same campground increased to $22. Martin, of Meriden, is reconsidering the family's usual practice of camping there three times a year.
"We might as well go someplace with full facilities," she said. "For a few extra dollars we can go to a private campground or on the Cape (Cod)."
Martin and other campers in tents or recreational vehicles are angry over the state's decision to double its outdoor recreation fees for fishing, hunting, camping and even parking. The law, which was passed last summer, went into effect in October, surprising many late-season park visitors, and campers making their arrangements for this year.
"It's just as bad with the hunting and fishing license," Martin said. "It's cheaper to get an out-of-state license for Massachusetts than to get an in-state license in Connecticut."
The fee increases were one part of the state's attempt to fill its budget gap, with the funds going directly into the general fund.
State Department of Environmental Protection workers are quick to point out that they did not request the fee hike and won't see any increases in staffing, pay, maintenance or programs.
Admission collectors at the park gates were harassed by customers last October when the law took effect. At Kent Falls, visitors parked along busy Route 7 until police were called, said a state park advocate who fears the young people manning the booths are again going to face an angry public.
"Since (February 2009), when the fee increases were first proposed, we've been aware of the problem," said Eileen Grant, president of the Friends of the Connecticut State Parks, a coalition of 24 groups. "We advocated since the beginning to get people to be more reasonable. We were willing to accept up to 25 percent (increase), but 100 percent is out of the question."
Grant said the state parks cost $13 million annually to run and took in close to $6 million at the gates last year, leaving a net cost of $7 million. Records show that seven million people visited the parks last year.
"We're serving our customers for less than $1 per person, plus we stimulated the local economy," Grant said.
Opponents of the increased costs assert that the new fees hurt those who can afford it the least. She's received letters from campers who have said they won't be visiting state parks because they can't afford it.
"This doubling is excessive," Grant said. "It's particularly unreasonable because of who our patrons are. The state parks are there for the most financially stressed in our population. We're appalled that the very people we're trying to encourage to come and utilize our parks are going to be priced out of our facilities."
Private campground owners are paying close attention to the issue, and at least one is offering discount days and other incentives to entice new customers.
"Our reservations are up seven percent," said Helen Simpson, general manager of the Mystic KOA in North Stonington. "We've had a few people complain. They feel it's outrageous. The indication is that some of those people are coming here."
The cost for a single night at Hammonasset State Park in Madison jumped from $15 per night to $30 per night for either a tent or recreational vehicle. But only one state park has water, septic and electric hookups, and it's not along the shoreline.
A one-night stay for two people with a full hookup and cable television at Mystic KOA on a weekend is $61.49, and includes use of the park's two swimming pools, bath, hot showers, miniature golf course and other amenities.
Two people can pitch a tent and have full use of the facilities for $48, or $18 more than at Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic, or Hammonasset.
But the Mystic KOA is sweetening the pot by offering 15 percent discounts for campers who book a full week, free tickets to Mystic attractions, mid-week specials for $25 per night and $20 per night for five nights in the park's overflow field.
"We are knowledgeable about the increases and are offering to reach out to those families," Simpson said.
Mark Harris, manager of Hemlock Hill RV Sales & Service in Southington, said the state could be hurting itself with the steep increases, especially with RV owners who, for a few bucks more, will travel to a private campground for the hookups.
"I think it's going to affect the state's business, but until it gets closer I just don't know," said Harris, adding that many of his customers have complained about the added costs.
The state parks have three pricing tiers, with Hammonasset and Rocky Neck at the top. The fees before the change were $11, $13, and $15 and have now changed to $22, $26 and $30, respectively, for residents. Rustic cabins that used to cost $35 are now $70.
Martin thinks more campers will find sites in nearby Massachusetts, where non-resident fees range from $10 to $17 per night, or New York, where they range from $10 to $34.
Parking prices, which were about $10 along the shoreline, are now $20 per car on a weekend or holiday. The cost for non-residents is $30 per car.
"In particular, young urban families are going to be most affected," Grant said. "The parks will get no benefit. It's just a crude mechanism to raise state revenue. You have to choose between getting into the park or buying a picnic lunch."
The Friends of Connecticut State Parks are meeting with state lawmakers Wednesday in hope of eliminating or lessening the sting, Grant said.
The increase in park fees is symptomatic of a larger state problem, according to Martin.
"They're promoting ‘Staycations,' but they're not making it easy for the residents to keep their business in the state," she said.
mgodin@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2255
By: Mary Ellen Godin
Posted: Saturday, March 6, 2010
Lisa Martin and her family usually take off in April for a weekend of fishing at Macedonia Brook State Park in Kent.
It's a no-frills, rustic campsite with portable toilets and water hauled back from a well. Last year it cost $11 per night to pitch a tent, but this year the fees for the same campground increased to $22. Martin, of Meriden, is reconsidering the family's usual practice of camping there three times a year.
"We might as well go someplace with full facilities," she said. "For a few extra dollars we can go to a private campground or on the Cape (Cod)."
Martin and other campers in tents or recreational vehicles are angry over the state's decision to double its outdoor recreation fees for fishing, hunting, camping and even parking. The law, which was passed last summer, went into effect in October, surprising many late-season park visitors, and campers making their arrangements for this year.
"It's just as bad with the hunting and fishing license," Martin said. "It's cheaper to get an out-of-state license for Massachusetts than to get an in-state license in Connecticut."
The fee increases were one part of the state's attempt to fill its budget gap, with the funds going directly into the general fund.
State Department of Environmental Protection workers are quick to point out that they did not request the fee hike and won't see any increases in staffing, pay, maintenance or programs.
Admission collectors at the park gates were harassed by customers last October when the law took effect. At Kent Falls, visitors parked along busy Route 7 until police were called, said a state park advocate who fears the young people manning the booths are again going to face an angry public.
"Since (February 2009), when the fee increases were first proposed, we've been aware of the problem," said Eileen Grant, president of the Friends of the Connecticut State Parks, a coalition of 24 groups. "We advocated since the beginning to get people to be more reasonable. We were willing to accept up to 25 percent (increase), but 100 percent is out of the question."
Grant said the state parks cost $13 million annually to run and took in close to $6 million at the gates last year, leaving a net cost of $7 million. Records show that seven million people visited the parks last year.
"We're serving our customers for less than $1 per person, plus we stimulated the local economy," Grant said.
Opponents of the increased costs assert that the new fees hurt those who can afford it the least. She's received letters from campers who have said they won't be visiting state parks because they can't afford it.
"This doubling is excessive," Grant said. "It's particularly unreasonable because of who our patrons are. The state parks are there for the most financially stressed in our population. We're appalled that the very people we're trying to encourage to come and utilize our parks are going to be priced out of our facilities."
Private campground owners are paying close attention to the issue, and at least one is offering discount days and other incentives to entice new customers.
"Our reservations are up seven percent," said Helen Simpson, general manager of the Mystic KOA in North Stonington. "We've had a few people complain. They feel it's outrageous. The indication is that some of those people are coming here."
The cost for a single night at Hammonasset State Park in Madison jumped from $15 per night to $30 per night for either a tent or recreational vehicle. But only one state park has water, septic and electric hookups, and it's not along the shoreline.
A one-night stay for two people with a full hookup and cable television at Mystic KOA on a weekend is $61.49, and includes use of the park's two swimming pools, bath, hot showers, miniature golf course and other amenities.
Two people can pitch a tent and have full use of the facilities for $48, or $18 more than at Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic, or Hammonasset.
But the Mystic KOA is sweetening the pot by offering 15 percent discounts for campers who book a full week, free tickets to Mystic attractions, mid-week specials for $25 per night and $20 per night for five nights in the park's overflow field.
"We are knowledgeable about the increases and are offering to reach out to those families," Simpson said.
Mark Harris, manager of Hemlock Hill RV Sales & Service in Southington, said the state could be hurting itself with the steep increases, especially with RV owners who, for a few bucks more, will travel to a private campground for the hookups.
"I think it's going to affect the state's business, but until it gets closer I just don't know," said Harris, adding that many of his customers have complained about the added costs.
The state parks have three pricing tiers, with Hammonasset and Rocky Neck at the top. The fees before the change were $11, $13, and $15 and have now changed to $22, $26 and $30, respectively, for residents. Rustic cabins that used to cost $35 are now $70.
Martin thinks more campers will find sites in nearby Massachusetts, where non-resident fees range from $10 to $17 per night, or New York, where they range from $10 to $34.
Parking prices, which were about $10 along the shoreline, are now $20 per car on a weekend or holiday. The cost for non-residents is $30 per car.
"In particular, young urban families are going to be most affected," Grant said. "The parks will get no benefit. It's just a crude mechanism to raise state revenue. You have to choose between getting into the park or buying a picnic lunch."
The Friends of Connecticut State Parks are meeting with state lawmakers Wednesday in hope of eliminating or lessening the sting, Grant said.
The increase in park fees is symptomatic of a larger state problem, according to Martin.
"They're promoting ‘Staycations,' but they're not making it easy for the residents to keep their business in the state," she said.
mgodin@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2255