TRENTON – In August, the National Parks Service announced extended collection hours and increased parking fees at two Gateway National Recreation Area locations, New Jersey’s Sandy Hook and New York’s Jamaica Bay.
The proposal would double most parking fees at Sandy Hook, from $10 per car to $20, but extend visitor access to two consecutive days as opposed to one day currently.
Today, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ7), of Long Branch, sent a letter to the National Parks Service Director Jon Jarvis seeking a timeline of the fee hike and more information about the difference in fees collected at other National Parks in the Gateway National Recreation Area. Pallone is opposed to the fee increases proposed for Sandy Hook.
“On September 26, at my request, the National Park Service held a public input session at Sandy Hook to hear from the public on the proposed fee increase,” Pallone wrote. “From this meeting, and from other interactions I have had with my constituents, it has become clear that the vast majority of the public oppose this increase.
“Under the proposed changes to the fee collection program, Sandy Hook patrons will see a fee increase from $10 to $20. Meanwhile, the Jamaica Bay Unit will see an increase from $5 to $10 for Jacob Riis beach and no fee is charged at the Staten Island Unit. This discrepancy is not fair to my constituents,” Pallone wrote.
