LAUREL, Del - Starting today entrance fees are once again required for Delaware State Parks. This comes after the free season which would have normally ended in March was extended due to the pandemic.
Waiving visitor fees was meant to give the public some free, fresh air options as the state of emergency left many working from home and staying indoors more often. "As everybody was adapting to the current situation we wanted to provide some opportunities for folks to get out and take advantage of our state parks," said DNREC secretary, Shawn Garvin.
Garvin explained that while this enabled the department to serve the community, fees will have to make a comeback in order for such services to continue.
"There was an issue of being able to keep the parks open because of our ability to have the funding to maintain those, " he said. Garvin explained that over 65% of the parks' operating budget comes from visitor fees, and in the process of refunding campground rentals and forgoing entrance rates nearly $1.2 million was lost.
Garvin went on to explain that while fees are being reinstated in order to properly maintain the parks, assistance programs are expanding to meet the needs of the public.
The Annual Pass Assistance Program which reduces the price of annual passes from $35 to $10 is always available for those benefiting from state and/or federal assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid. Now those receiving unemployment benefits can temporarily apply as well.
Those looking to apply for the Annual Pass Assistance Program can do so directly on DNREC's website.
DNREC says the goal of implementing these measures is to ensure that everyone can safely enjoy Delaware's State Parks without taking away from the experience.