Nebraska Park Permit Sales up Despite Fee Increase

The Sales Are Up about 25%

By The Associated Press

CREATED May. 24, 2012

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Lincoln, NE (AP) - Permit sales for Nebraska's state parks have surged in the first four months of this year, despite a fee increase approved by lawmakers.

Game and Parks administrator Roger Kuhn said Thursday that sales have increased 26 percent between January and April of this year and the same time period in 2011.

Lawmakers voted last year to increase the annual entry fee to $25 for residents, up from $20. Fees for non-residents increased from $25 to $30, and the cost of a daily park pass grew from $4 to $5. Critics argued the higher fees would hurt turnout at Nebraska's 78 state parks.

Kuhn attributes the sales increase to the mild winter and spring. He said park superintendents are now preparing for Memorial Day weekend, traditionally the busiest of the year.

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