Parking charges could possibly be coming to Nationwide Park websites in San Francisco and Marin
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is considering introducing parking fees at seven parks and locations in San Francisco and Marin to help meet the cost of running the growing number of visitors to the parks, the agency said in a statement.
When the fees go into effect, visitors to Baker Beach, Lands End, Sutro Heights, Navy Memorial, China Beach, Rodeo Beach, and Fort Cronkhite and Stinson Beach would be billed $ 3 per hour with a maximum of $ 10 per day . These fees apply from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
New fees are also proposed for evening tours at Point Bonita Lighthouse: $ 16 for adults, $ 8 for seniors, $ 10 for children.
The fees are received with mixed reactions.
“That sounds a little steep to me. Especially if you’re someone who walks your dog every day,” Jackie Ferris of San Francisco told KTVU.
The National Park Service says bigger crowds come with higher costs for more garbage collection, beach cleaning, traffic control, and janitorial services. They propose a new parking fee of $ 3 per hour with a maximum of $ 10 per day. https://t.co/W6a7Z9DvWT
– KTVU (@KTVU) September 8, 2021
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people turned outdoors to flee their homes, the resort area recorded 12.4 million people in its locations in 2020. The large crowds lead to higher costs for increased garbage collection, beach cleaning and traffic control.
The valet said the fees would also help pay for visitor protection services including marine safety operations.
“The park plans to use fee money to fund, for example, the replacement of the Stinson Beach lifeguard tower and the removal of sand on Ocean Beach to maintain access for visitors and rescue vehicles,” the agency said.
If the fees are approved, they would be phased in over several years and should come into effect as early as mid-2022.
The National Parks Service is calling for comments on the fees until September 26th. Email comments to goga_business@nps.gov or call 415-561-4700.
