Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 26, 2002
Contact:
Fees to increase in Virginia State Parks
(RICHMOND) - For the first time in nearly seven years, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is raising the rates in Virginia State Parks, effective April 26, 2002.
"Modest price increases are necessary to maintain the high standards of quality service that our millions of visitors expect," said DCR Director Joseph H. Maroon. "While the state parks budget has remained stagnant or been cut, the system has experienced a nearly decade-long expansion in programs, activities, offerings, and in acreage owned and managed."
Rates will increase for cabin, campground and picnic shelter rentals as well as daily parking and boat launch fees. Lifetime and annual passes will continue to be available and offer a significant savings over daily fees.
Virginia residents will continue to receive discounts on cabin rentals, and discounted parking passes for seniors are still available.
Although the Commonwealth of Virginia ranks 50th in the country in per capita spending on parks, Virginia's state park system is the 2001-2003 National Gold Medal award winner for excellence in park and recreation management, presented by the National Sporting Goods Association's Sports Foundation Inc. in cooperation with the National Recreation and Park Association.
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