Oregon – Set to be the biggest shift in almost a decade, Oregon’s beloved state parks—known for their stunning scenery and family-friendly amenities—are set to see user fees hike. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) has announced higher prices for camping, parking, and reservations starting October 15, 2024, which visitors to the parks would come across. Driven by growing maintenance requirements and operating expenses, this decision represents a significant change in the department’s pricing approach since 2017.
Speaking to KDRV, Lisa Sumption, the Director of OPRD, expressed that these changes are a necessary response to the financial pressures facing the state’s park services.
“Raising fees can be challenging for visitors, and we don’t make this decision lightly,” said Sumption. “We strive to keep costs as low as possible while ensuring we fulfill our commitment to stewardship and recreation.”
Stefanie Knowlton, an OPRD spokesperson, explains that the demand for these increases results from a 28% rise in utility expenses over the past four years. Knowlton said that over the past four years, the yearly utility expenses had grown significantly, highlighting the financial pressures resulting from higher operations, maintenance, and utilities’ costs.
The reservation price will also rise from $8 to $10 starting on January 1, 2025; the cost for daily parking permits will double from $5 to $10 at 25 selected parks. Furthermore, in a major policy change commencing from July 1, 2025, OPRD will impose a 25% surcharge on all kinds of sites for out-of-state visitors, therefore increasing the department’s income.
Oregon’s state parks’ funding comes from lottery money, recreational vehicle license fees, and visitor fees in addition to governmental appropriations. With visitor fees accounting for around 35% of the park income, these sources account for almost half of the funding for the parks, emphasizing the essential part that these fees play for their operational feasibility.
OPRD will also solicit public input on a proposal to change day-use parking rates across more parks next month as part of their public participation approach. This program guarantees management flexibility by allowing the director to exempt fees as deemed necessary, therefore eliminating any restrictions on management decisions.
The tariff adjustments reflect the state’s larger dedication to upholding high standards of park facilities and services, even while they are expected to raise the expense of appreciating Oregon’s natural beauty. Knowlton claims that regardless of record-high visiting rates, the income collected has not been enough to cover the growing running expenses, which calls for fee increases.
Aiming to maintain the parks open to a varied spectrum of guests, the department is aware of the effect of these changes on all park visitors and provides many concessions, such passes for foster parents and free day-use permits for most of Oregon’s 250 state parks.
Even as Oregonians adjust to the financial reality of their maintenance and improvement, the state’s parks remain great venues for leisure and enjoyment as they prepare for these changes.
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