I think the system is fine how it is, but what would be the impact of taking away the fee completely? How much are they getting from donations? It seems like people who use the trails probably also spend money in the city somewhere else so it probably has benefits for the town either way. As far as the whole elitist thing, I think that's a little overblown, sure it seems strange when compared to city parks, but not to many other trail systems.
I think it's important to recognize that we, as residents of Boulder, already pay a fee (of sorts) for our parks. While residents outside of the county and outside of the city pay no or lower taxes towards the maintenance of our park system. RTD-Denver currently charges a higher rate for parking in their park-and-ride structures to those who live outside of the RTD service area (those whose taxes pay for the construction and maintenance of the RTD system). I don't think that is elitist. If anything, it is far more elitist to say that we have enough money to provide parks and recreation services to anyone, FREE OF CHARGE!
Let's be honest... the honor system seems like an odd way to enforce payment on something that's been free since it was created. $3 just to walk on a trail seems steep, and I think would scare people away from using the trails. I understand that there's a need for money to help fund upkeep and cleaning of the trails, but couldn't there be an easier way to gather funds? I think that putting a price on Boulder's open spaces is ironic, and to some degree, makes us look like snobs.
I don't feel that it is fair for non-Boulder residents to have to pay any sort of fee to use Boulder's hiking trails. Sure, the park and recreation district could use more funding, but if it's for the trails in Boulder, then I think it makes more sense for the people who make the choice to live in Boulder to better fund it. However since people living outside of Boulder don't want to pay, and the people living in Boulder don't want to pay, the only options that seem viable are to either leave the system as it is (free of charge) or make everyone pay regardless of where they live.
I also think its unfair for non Boulder resident and the Boulder hiking trails should make it fair. So, they should all people who uses not just non residents.
How about implementing a parking fee at all of the trail heads. If anyone wants to drive there car to go walk, they can pay a small fee. This will probably most heavily impact people that live outside of Boulder, but it will penalize them for producing larger amounts of carbon to reach the trailhead. This will encourage people to either walk to the trailhead, or drive part way and walk part way to the trailhead to avoid the fee. Either way, it results in a reduction of carbon emissions, and provides an somewhat equal fee for trail users.
I agree that charging for parking may be a more strategic approach to this issue. I think the whole thing is a bit ridiculous and unnecessary. I know the trails see a lot foot traffic but implementing a tax for people trying to use the trails as a means of recreation and beauty is crap. and the fact that its only for non boulder residents might limit people from the surrounding areas coming to boulder and spending money elsewhere potentially.
Boulder residents can use trails in other counties free of charge. I would be discouraged from using a trail somewhere in Jefferson County just because I don't live there. Open Space is meant for everyone to enjoy, not just people who can pay for it. How would you identify who is a Boulder resident and a non-resident? Do car tags identify the county? Also, would there be additional costs for policing the fee? Additionally, non-residents who use the trails might spend money in the city while visiting.
9 comments:
I think the system is fine how it is, but what would be the impact of taking away the fee completely? How much are they getting from donations? It seems like people who use the trails probably also spend money in the city somewhere else so it probably has benefits for the town either way. As far as the whole elitist thing, I think that's a little overblown, sure it seems strange when compared to city parks, but not to many other trail systems.
I think it's important to recognize that we, as residents of Boulder, already pay a fee (of sorts) for our parks. While residents outside of the county and outside of the city pay no or lower taxes towards the maintenance of our park system. RTD-Denver currently charges a higher rate for parking in their park-and-ride structures to those who live outside of the RTD service area (those whose taxes pay for the construction and maintenance of the RTD system). I don't think that is elitist. If anything, it is far more elitist to say that we have enough money to provide parks and recreation services to anyone, FREE OF CHARGE!
Let's be honest... the honor system seems like an odd way to enforce payment on something that's been free since it was created. $3 just to walk on a trail seems steep, and I think would scare people away from using the trails. I understand that there's a need for money to help fund upkeep and cleaning of the trails, but couldn't there be an easier way to gather funds? I think that putting a price on Boulder's open spaces is ironic, and to some degree, makes us look like snobs.
I don't feel that it is fair for non-Boulder residents to have to pay any sort of fee to use Boulder's hiking trails. Sure, the park and recreation district could use more funding, but if it's for the trails in Boulder, then I think it makes more sense for the people who make the choice to live in Boulder to better fund it. However since people living outside of Boulder don't want to pay, and the people living in Boulder don't want to pay, the only options that seem viable are to either leave the system as it is (free of charge) or make everyone pay regardless of where they live.
I also think its unfair for non Boulder resident and the Boulder hiking trails should make it fair. So, they should all people who uses not just non residents.
How about implementing a parking fee at all of the trail heads. If anyone wants to drive there car to go walk, they can pay a small fee. This will probably most heavily impact people that live outside of Boulder, but it will penalize them for producing larger amounts of carbon to reach the trailhead. This will encourage people to either walk to the trailhead, or drive part way and walk part way to the trailhead to avoid the fee. Either way, it results in a reduction of carbon emissions, and provides an somewhat equal fee for trail users.
I agree that charging for parking may be a more strategic approach to this issue. I think the whole thing is a bit ridiculous and unnecessary. I know the trails see a lot foot traffic but implementing a tax for people trying to use the trails as a means of recreation and beauty is crap. and the fact that its only for non boulder residents might limit people from the surrounding areas coming to boulder and spending money elsewhere potentially.
Boulder residents can use trails in other counties free of charge. I would be discouraged from using a trail somewhere in Jefferson County just because I don't live there. Open Space is meant for everyone to enjoy, not just people who can pay for it. How would you identify who is a Boulder resident and a non-resident? Do car tags identify the county? Also, would there be additional costs for policing the fee? Additionally, non-residents who use the trails might spend money in the city while visiting.
I think open space should be for everyones enjoyment and open space is one of the reasons I love Boulder.
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