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35-cent entry to paradise may rise
Pinellas County sees lucre in the lure of Fort De Soto Park.
By WILL VAN SANT and STEPHANIE GARRY
Published June 25, 2007
ST. PETERSBURG - Fort De Soto Park has been paradise within reach for decades, a place where residents and visitors could laze in natural Florida's embrace for three dimes and a nickel. Now, with the state putting curbs on local government tax collections, Pinellas County is looking elsewhere for cash and sees the popular park as a moneymaker. That could mean the introduction of a more substantial vehicle entrance or a parking fee at Fort De Soto. The County Commission will take up the idea at a workshop Tuesday. County Commissioner Susan Latvala called it "appalling" to even consider charging admission to the park, which drew nearly 3.2-million people last year. But with local governments now "being controlled" by state leaders, Latvala said the days of easy living are gone and new cash streams are needed. "It's a new day in Florida," she said. "People are going to be very upset." The park, declared home to America's top beach in 2005, cost the county $5.2-million to run last year. Concessions, camping and other amenities produced $1.9-million in revenue. The county has run numbers on a $3 parking or entrance fee, which is what a single passenger in a vehicle pays to visit a state park. It's estimated such a fee at Fort De Soto would generate $1.7-million a year. The fee idea comes at a time when state transportation officials are considering raising the 35-cent toll on the road leading to the park to as much as a dollar to pay for area bridge repairs. And there's already a 50-cent toll on State Road 682, which visitors must pay before making their way from the east to the park. So, all of a sudden, a visit to Fort De Soto could set a family back $4.50. "I don't think that's right," said Terry Brown, 42, a bus driver for Pinellas County Schools who was married in a Fort De Soto pavilion two years ago. On Friday, he sat at a table shaded by sea grape before loading the John Hopkins Middle School art club on a bus. He acknowledged the county's need for cash. "Get it somewhere else, not the park." Scottie Beath, 28, a graduate student at the Florida School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, said she lives near the park and visits almost every day for inline skating, biking, or lounging on the beach. "It's sad, " Beath said. "It wouldn't be worth it to pay $5 every time you come here." Glen Nguyen, 24, carried a bucket of fish back from the new pier at De Soto on Friday as he does a few times a week. He said he definitely wouldn't come as often if authorities hiked tolls or charged an entrance fee. "I have other places to go where I do the same things," Nguyen said. "But this is just a nice place."
[Last modified June 24, 2007, 23:28:55]
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Comments on this article
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by Scottie
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07/01/07 03:10 PM
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I didn't say "it wouldn't be worth it to pay $5" I said I wouldn't be able to afford to come every day.
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by John
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06/26/07 09:58 PM
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Ask people who live in other parts of the country if they would pay a small fee to visit a #1 rated beach in the U.S.A. or...better yet, stay home & idly watch your cable TV, how much is that a month? Oh, better yet, how about a STATE income tax?
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by Frank
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06/26/07 11:46 AM
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We often camp at DeSoto and make multiple trips to town for shopping and entertainment. A large increase in the toll would result in fewer purchases being made from local businesses. You will lose income for local businesses for a few dollars toll.
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by Joe Bob
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06/25/07 11:35 PM
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This issue shows the hypocrisy of the tax whiners. You'd think they'd be happy to see only users charged for the upkeep of an amenity. But no, they want their amenities free of taxes *and* charges. Parks cost money to run, get over it.
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by Jackson
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06/25/07 11:11 PM
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Amazing that they just don't get the message. CUT SPENDING and don't look for other ways to party in our pants.
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by Pete
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06/25/07 10:56 PM
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If the parks annual visitors are 3.2 million and you charge a fee of 3.00! The county would have to stop charging tax payers money in the tax bills. Now add that to every county park and some one if getting fat in the pockets with that extra money
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by Pete
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06/25/07 10:46 PM
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To Maggie Hammonasset Beach is a state beach where ft desoto is a county beach. Tax payers of this county pay out of their taxes to help keep this beach area pretty. Where in Madison Ct. You pay at the gate. .35 is the toll not an fee to enter
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by DAVID DRIGGERS
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06/25/07 10:43 PM
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I was floored when I heard about the size of the increase! As a local Tampa Bay area resident, I go to the park at least a few times a month and will NOT be able to enjoy the park at sunset for my normal hour or so- if this increase goes into effect!
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by Paul
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06/25/07 10:32 PM
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The toll use to be 10 cents. In high school we would hang out at the entrance because it was outside city limits. 10 cents became 35 cents about 20 years ago. Raise the toll to a dollar and offer annual pass for a flat fee to locals only.
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by Tom
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06/25/07 09:57 PM
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I donò019t use the beach or the park. Those that do should have to pay for it themselves. Enough of you free loaders.
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by .
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06/25/07 09:51 PM
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I have to pay a few bucks in parking on Clwt Beach as did anyone who drove there, that didn't keep people away. the construction did that. A few bucks seems not only reasonable, but average. I like the FL pass idea for those who go often.
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by Rich
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06/25/07 09:19 PM
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I think the fee should be raised to $30. I would gladly pay this for the right to not sit next to all of the whiners on here. If you lazy bums spent more time working, maybe you could afford the lousy $0.35! Just blame Dick Cheney global warming
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by Paula
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06/25/07 06:36 PM
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Make the park a $1 fee for cars which is reasonable to everyone. The state should not be "greedy" with the public's money. In future years, have additional small increases.
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by Carol
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06/25/07 06:23 PM
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I'm not sure why this is such shocking news to everyone. There is probably going to be more things coming. The stupidity of the tax cut is coming to light. Stay tuned - more to come, I'm sure. Real smart move on the tax cut - NOT!
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by Karen
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06/25/07 05:58 PM
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I visited Fort De Soto last August 26th for my sister's new marriage. She was lucky enough to find a new husband after burying her husband of over 32 years after a long illness. This was were they met and wanted to marry and did so inexpensively.
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by Winston
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06/25/07 05:04 PM
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Pay $5.00 for entrance to one of the most magnificent portals on earth? Get real, people. Go Pay lots more fo Disney or Sea World.
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by Adrian
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06/25/07 04:59 PM
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Cut the fat & waste out of the budget, do not raise taxes by nickel & diming us with higher fees. That's what the county manager & other public officials get paid the big bucks - to cut unnecessary spending.
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by Jason
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06/25/07 04:19 PM
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I take my dog to the park about 4 days a week. After this it won't be 4 days a week just to spend an hr. in the dog park. Also, what did 5.2 mill.pay for? How can it possibly cost that much? It's sand and grass.
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by Jason
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06/25/07 04:02 PM
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Charge a $10,000 impact fee for moving to and crowding up our state! That will make up the shortfall and slow the tide. All you people referring to "other parts of the country" should move back! We don't care how you do it up north! GO HOME YANKEES!!
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by Kay
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06/25/07 03:26 PM
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the park is not an attraction. I like to go there for the dog beach and not have to pay AGAIN for what we,as residents already pay for. We spend $$ making pinellas attractive to tourists, what about us?We need better people in office to manage our$$$
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by Kathryn
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06/25/07 01:08 PM
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I would gladly pay a higher fee for use of the Paw Park. It is just a wonderful and clean place to bring my dog. She knows when we turn onto Gulf Blvd. exactly where she is going. If it would keep private enterprise out, I'm all for it.
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by Mo
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06/25/07 01:07 PM
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It's ridiculous. $1 parking, okay but a pass for Fl residents? It's a beach; natural beauty NOT amusement park. Sure charge $5 so next yr county commissioners get raises & free lunch (Bob)too! Mid class fams arnt run out of FL yet
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by Matt
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06/25/07 12:44 PM
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We go to the springs in N. FL. and they all charge a couple of dollars. The state parks offer an annual pass. Come on people you have $4.00 in the cookie jar or your top dresser draw, or on the floor boards of your car.
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by Steve
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06/25/07 12:44 PM
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I find it very distasteful reading so many people who feel they (as residents) shouldn't pay for things in Florida, but others should. No wonder Florida is seen as the most selfish state. When those people travel, do they think they should pay more
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by Jenifer
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06/25/07 12:30 PM
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It will backfire. There are too many other beaches people can go to for less. Basic supply and demand.
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by Sally
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06/25/07 12:07 PM
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$1 per person PLUS parking would reasonable. Don't charge by the carload.
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by Sue
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06/25/07 11:58 AM
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I don't see why people think parks should be free. In most areas of the country, you have to pay to get into a park. Wouln't you rather pay a few dollars, then to have the park only open certain days of the week or have it shutdown completely?
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by Cindy
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06/25/07 11:33 AM
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I think that a $3 - $5 entrance fee to the park is reasonable. Possibly this will make people take better care of the beach and stop littering. I also support having the ability to buy an annual pass to the park for FL state residents.
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by citizen
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06/25/07 11:32 AM
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Most of you posters do nothing but complain... You whine about property taxes so the legislature cut them. Guess what - the moneys have to be made up somewhere, so you better get used to user fees.
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by Verna
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06/25/07 11:29 AM
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Doesn't look like anyone agrees with me, but I don't have a problem with people paying for what they use. I do think some sort of annual pass would be fair however, but make it for everyone. The tourism industry is important to Florida.
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by Marty S.
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06/25/07 11:09 AM
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To Fred - "Tax/spend republicans" thats the first time I've ever heard that one. And Latvala - yes it is a new day in FL. Stop spending OUR money recklessly. Tax/spend dems were voted out of the Legislature b/c fiscal responsiblty. U can be too!
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by Jo
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06/25/07 11:05 AM
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What a small price to pay for a whole day of enjoyment in Mother Nature's paradise. Look at the price people pay to go to amusement parks. Lot's more than $5
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by Jim
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06/25/07 11:04 AM
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Soon you will have to pay a finders fee when you collect shells taken off the beach. Or maybe a users fee when launching a boat not just for parking. Or hey how about a fee for using a bathroom at the park! Oh and the showers another fee.
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by Pam
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06/25/07 10:51 AM
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If entry fees are a reality a yearly pass fee should be considered for those who visit regularly. I always thought that $.35 was a bargain for use of such a great park!
I would gladly pay for a Florida resident pass or some other similar promotion.
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by Bill
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06/25/07 10:43 AM
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I think it's a great idea to charge appropriate user fees.
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