Many of you heard of the Phoenix
Parks and Recreation Board action approving charging parking fees at
city preserves. Details of the program are now finalized and you can
find lengthy information at: http://phoenix.gov/PRL/passupdate.html.
(you can also access it from the department homepage at phoenix.gov/parks).
Here are some highlights:
- The parking pass (official
name is Phoenix Mountain Pass) will be required ONLY AT FIVE
TRAILHEAD AREAS: the Pima Canyon area of South Mountain, the
Echo Canyon area of Camelback Mtn; Phoenix Mountains Park and
Recreation Area (Piestewa Peak), Dreamy Draw Recreation Area and
North Mountain Park. This leaves multiple free trail access points
at all the major preserve areas in the city preserve and mountain
park system.
- The daily fee will be
$2, a six-month pass will cost $50. (many reporters have been
stating that the fee is $5. This was the upper range permitted by
the Parks and Recreation Board, not the actual fee. Please try to be
clear with this in future reporting).
- The fee will not be
enforced during a six-month introductory period beginning Aug. 30.
For now, we'll be distributing envelopes at the five trailheads that
visitors can use to mail in payment if they choose, during this
introductory period. During the introductory period, we'll be
working on ways for people to purchase passes on-site as well.
Again, the website has lengthy details and it likely will answer 99
percent of your questions. |