Petition to End the $2.00 Reservation Fee for Season Pass Holders, Veterans, Disabled Visitors, and Boat Launch Users

 

We, the undersigned, respectfully call on park and recreation officials to immediately remove the $2.00 reservation fee being charged to season pass holders, veterans, disabled visitors, and boat launch users.

 

This extra fee is unfair, unnecessary, and places an unreasonable burden on the very people who already support and use these public facilities responsibly. Season pass holders have already paid in advance for access. Veterans and disabled visitors should not face added barriers to enjoy public resources. Boat launch users, who depend on timely and practical access to the water, should not be penalized with an additional charge when the launch parking lots are rarely, if ever, full.

 

The stated purpose of a reservation fee is typically to manage limited space. However, when boat lots are never full, this fee appears to serve no legitimate access-control purpose. Instead, it functions as an unnecessary surcharge on users who have already paid, earned accommodations, or rely on the launch for recreation and livelihood.

 

This policy should be reconsidered because:

 

1. Season pass holders already paid for access.

A season pass should provide meaningful access without repeated add-on charges.

 

2. Veterans deserve respect, not extra fees.

Those who served our country should not be nickel-and-dimed to use public facilities.

 

3. Disabled visitors should not face additional financial barriers.

Public access should be fair, reasonable, and inclusive.

 

4. Boat launch users are being charged without justification.

If parking areas are not reaching capacity, then a reservation fee is not solving an overcrowding problem.

 

5. Public access should not be used as a revenue grab.

Fees should reflect actual need and fairness, not unnecessary bureaucracy.

 

We therefore demand the following:

 

Eliminate the $2.00 reservation fee for season pass holders

 

Eliminate the $2.00 reservation fee for veterans

 

Eliminate the $2.00 reservation fee for disabled visitors

 

Eliminate the $2.00 reservation fee for boat launch users

 

Review the reservation policy to ensure fees are only used when there is a real and documented capacity issue

 

 

Public parks and boat launches should remain accessible, affordable, and fair to the people who use and support them. We urge officials to end this unjust fee policy immediately.

 

Sincerely,

The Undersigned Concerned Citizens, Anglers, Boaters, Veterans, Families, and Season Pass Holders

 

 

---

 

Signature Section

 

Name: ___________________________

City/State: _______________________

Phone/Email: _____________________

Signature: _______________________

Date: ____________________________