State beach fees are going up

Lolita Harper

State park officials are giving beach-goers fair warning of a

significant rate increase, effective July, that was set in place to

offset increased budget cuts and keep popular public spots, such as

Crystal Cove, open for business.

The fee changes will not go into effect until July 1 but state

officials said they wanted to get the information out so people could

plan accordingly for summer vacations.

Families that enjoy camping at Crystal Cove are looking at a 36%

to 92% increase in camping fees. Those who enjoy the 3.5 miles of

sandy beach between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, can expect a 64%

rate increase for day use.

Huntington Beach resident Amanda Formes was at the park letting

her sons burn off some energy before they headed back to school on

Monday. She said the state park has always been one of her favorite

locations for vacation or just a day on the waterfront.

“They have the best little beach down there,” she said. “It is so

beautiful.”

Years of development around the area have cheapened the experience

for Formes, she said, and the mother of two says the increase in

prices isn’t welcome.

“That’s just crazy,” she said. “Who is going to pay $14 to go to a

beach that is supposed to be owned by the public?”

The fee hikes are not exclusive to the white sands and rugged

terrain of this Southern California gem, it is a statewide change

that officials say will make up for years of budget cuts and prevent

layoffs in the state parks department.

“After repeated budget reductions, we have reached the point where

there is no other choice,” said Ruth Coleman, the state parks

director. “This is a reasonable solution to help get the state

through hard budget times. This plan keeps the system open and

operating, while also keeping it as affordable as possible for all

Californians.”

The state parks budget was reduced by $4.8 million in 2001-02 and

another $15 million in 2002-03, said department spokesman Roy

Stearns. In 2004-05 the department is expected to reduce its

operating budget by an additional $15 million, totally nearly $35 in

cuts over the past four years.

* LOLITA HARPER is the community forum editor. She also writes

columns Wednesdays and Fridays. She may be reached at (949) 574-4275

or by e-mail at lolita.harper@latimes.com.