Can't see the Forest for the fees ?

Cynhikr · Joined: 09 Jan 2003 Posts: 1197 Location: Tempe, AZ.

SEE: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0202nofee02.html
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maryphyl · Posted: 2/2/2004, 3:15 pm Post subject:

Speaking of fees--Mike--if you will send me your address I will send you three bucks!! Smiles, Mary
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mike · What box? Joined: 30 Dec 2002 Posts: 3134

Mary, you can just hang on to it, I'll see you at Grandview, if not before! BTW, I take payments in espresso. Wink

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jpilot7 · Posted: 2/2/2004, 7:24 pm Post subject: Other issues here

I use the First Water Trail area weekly, and I have had problems with the pay stations being out of order too often. The drop boxes have been removed, so if the machines don't work, you have no way to pay. Yet they still ticket you for not doing so. I have addressed this to Universal Parking and Tonto National Forest. They have assured me that they will consider putting drop boxes back in. I personally don't mind the $4 fee. It all goes for a good cause.

Tom Treks · Gear Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 3347

I think the last 3 times I've been to FW, the pay stations have been out of order. It was kind of disconcerting not to get a receipt back, but what can you do at the time.

Did you actually get a ticket? Luckily I haven't been ticketed yet.

mike t · Joined: 04 Jan 2003 Posts: 175 Location: Gilbert, Az

Canyon Dweller · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 712 Location: Denver, CO

Good point Mike_T
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Shawn · Posted: 2/2/2004, 10:08 pm Post subject:

User fees were instituted to help offset the lack of appropriated money. I don't mind a small fee as I believe users should pay for services they receive--to a point. The problem with user fees is that as soon as the cash starts to flow, the appropriated dollars go elsewhere, so if/when the user fees fall short, the sevices disappear also.

My worst experience was on a shuttle back to the south rim following a rim-rim. There were 7 or 8 of us in the car, 3 season passes in hand, and I had already bought my next years worth, so there was $190 paid represented in that one car. Ranger Adolph called us an organized group, so everyone needed a card or had to pay $8 (as I recall the fee). Aside from his aragance (sp?), the fees were way out of line.
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plummer150 · Posted: 2/2/2004, 10:57 pm Post subject: re:

All I can say is I'm glad there is no fee for me to pay......so far. Wink

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SUN_HIKER · Joined: 05 Dec 2003 Posts: 1057

We spend/waste a lot of money on worthless services/items every day. Everytime I drive to one of the wonderful trails (not to mention the wonderful weather) we have here in AZ I thank my lucky stars.

I lived on the east coast (sorry plummer, don't mean to slam PA-I lived in the Allentown-Bethlehem area) and yes, lot's of places there have no fees but they also have only a fraction of the trails we have out west. This is why I don't have a problem paying the fees. I look at it as a small price with a huge reward. Very Happy

GB
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Daryl · Posted: 2/3/2004, 11:05 am Post subject:

I don't mind the fee if I feel it's worth it. The rec areas on the salt river use to be trashed, since they put the fees in it's much better.
On a summer day in oak creek canyon you could count more cars then trees and the cars on the side of the road were a hazard. Much better today.

Obviouosly I'd rather have the money for other things and I agree that we shouldn't have to pay for what our taxes already pay for, but I've seen a handful of places get much nicer after they started charging admission.
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plummer150 · Posted: 2/3/2004, 1:44 pm Post subject: re:

SUN_HIKER · Joined: 05 Dec 2003 Posts: 1057

Thanks for the links, I have to make sure next time I come to PA to carry my hiking boots!
Are you planning on making the transition to the West anytime soon? Let us know so we can show you around.

In the meantime, happy (free) hiking!
GB Smile

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plummer150 · Posted: 2/3/2004, 2:37 pm Post subject: re:

My bio says "est. time out west: no later than may 2005". So far I'm on track to keep it that way. I graduate from here this May 2004 which gives me exactly a year to save up, plan, etc. for my move out there. As soon as I know what i'm doing, i'll let everyone know what i'm doing!!
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SUN_HIKER · Joined: 05 Dec 2003 Posts: 1057

Sounds like a plan - best of luck!

GB
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