Park Service Responds to Pallone’s Request for Public Input Session on Sandy Hook Park Fee Increase

Long Branch, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. Friday announced the National Park Service has responded to his request to hold a public input session on the proposed fee increases at Sandy Hook. Pallone spoke out against the proposed fee increase, which would raise the vehicle fee for entering the park from $10 to $20 and double the price of a season pass to the park from $50 to $100. Visitors with over-sized vehicles of 20 feet or longer would have to pay an increased fee of $50 per day to enter the park. Additionally, the hours the park charges people entrance fees will be extended for two hours from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“It’s important that the Park Service hear directly from people who visit Sandy Hook about how they feel paying twice as much to enjoy it,” Pallone said. “Now is not the time to increase the cost burden on New Jerseyans. I suggest the Park Service take a good hard look at other options in order to find a way to keep access to one of our state’s most beautiful parks affordable to everyone.”

Since the proposed fee increase was announced in August, the Park Service has held an official public comment period soliciting input. This comment period ends Friday, September 16. Pallone urged that this comment period was not enough and asked the Park Service to hold a public input session at Sandy Hook. This session will be held Monday, September 26th. The Park Service will have a presentation at 3:30 p.m. and leave the remainder of the session, until 5:30 p.m. open for park visitors to express their views in person to a Sandy Hook representative

“Higher costs of entering the park would have the unintended consequence of significantly limiting access to it. This goes against the intent of our National Park system to preserve, protect and share the story of our historical landmarks,” Pallone added.