Parking fees at Clark County parks to stay same

The fees for driving into Clark County’s most popular regional parks won’t be going up, at least for now.

County commissioners rejected a request from the county parks staff to hike their basic parking fee from $2 to $3, the motorcycle fee from $1 to $2, the trailer fee from $4 to $6 and the bus fee from $6 to $8.

Commissioner Tom Mielke said struggling families have limited entertainment options.

“This might be the only family activity that they have,” Mielke said.

The fees this year would have applied between May and September at Frenchman’s Bar, Salmon Creek, Lewisville and Vancouver Lake regional parks.

Under the plan rejected, fees would have risen again in 2010.

The extra money would have helped pay for maintenance such as lawn-mowing.

Commissioner Steve Stuart suggested that Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation consider changing their caretaker system before hiking fees.

“I want to go to people and say, ‘We did everything we could to save money,’” Stuart said. “I can’t make that case yet.”

Florence Wager, a citizen on the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Commission, said she was surprised commissioners rejected the proposal.

“There haven’t been any increases in fees since 1992,” she said. “I don’t know anyone who uses parking in the park who would say that a $3 parking fee is excessive.”

Also Wednesday, commissioners agreed to create a new season pass for the parks, which will sell for $40 and be good for unlimited parking.

Michael Andersen: 360-735-4508 or michael.andersen@columbian.com.