Sandy Hook's proposed parking fee hikes come under fire

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone says he wants to the proposed hikes repealed

SANDY HOOK --A proposed parking fee hike at Sandy Hook has drawn fire from at least one federal lawmaker, who says parks officials should abandon plans for the increase.

Besides asking for the National Park Service to abandon the proposed rate hike, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6^th Dist.) said Tuesday he wants the park service to detail how the extra money would be used and to explain why Sandy Hook's planned increase is higher than other national parks in the region.

The public comment period for the proposed fees opened on Friday and runs through Sept. 5.

In his letter Tuesday to park service director Jonathan Jarvis, Pallone also asked for the agency to hold a public hearing. He said he wants park service officials to hear from members of the public about how the proposed rate increases would affect them.

The park service has proposed parking fees to go from $15 to $20 a day per car and from $75 to $100 a season starting next year at Sandy Hook.

At the same time, the park service has proposed lower fees at Riis Beach in New York: $50 a day and $75 for the season beginning next year.

Sandy Hook proposed fee hikes could be scaled back, park officials say

"I would also request that the NPS provide to me statistical information related to Sandy Hook - specifically visitor counts and revenue information from prior to the last fee increase through the most recent data available," Pallone wrote. "In addition, I request a meeting with NPS representatives who can provide an explanation of the proposed use of the increased fees, and if the fee money collected at Sandy Hook is dedicated specifically to Sandy Hook, or if any is diverted to other parks within Gateway National Recreation Area, or other NPS parks." 

This would be the second fee increase since 2011, when parking was $10 per car a day.

In a statement released last week in anticipation of the public comment period, Gateway Superintendent Jen Nersesian said the proposed fee increases would still keep the park and its beaches affordable to most residents.

"We are committed to keeping the park affordable but also want to provide visitors with the best possible experience," she said. "The money from the parking fees will help improve our visitor facilities and services."

Visitors with Senior or Access Passes would be charged half price for parking.

Feedback will be accepted via email at Fee_increase@nps.gov, or at the following address:

Office of the Superintendent Gateway National Recreation Area

ATTN:  Proposed parking  fee increase

210 New York Ave., Staten Island, New York 10305