Pennsylvania is one of only eight states in the nation that do not charge fees for the use of state parks. Our neighboring states of New York and New Jersey both charge fees for state park use, either in the form of day use fees for parking and amenities, or via the sale of annual state park passes.

As a result of this imbalance, some of our local parks and recreation areas are showing signs of severe abuse. For the first time in recent memory, there is litter - including used toilet tissue, pet waste and graffiti - in sections of Hickory Run State Park that were formerly pristine.

In many cases this abuse is occurring along the park’s wild trout streams, threatening water quality and impacting unique plant and animal habitats within the park. Ease of access from two major highways makes Carbon County’s free parks and recreation areas an attractive destination for out-of-state visitors wishing to avoid paying park fees in their home states.

Given the current political climate, our region could be facing many more months of lockdowns and travel restrictions, resulting in more record-breaking crowds in Carbon County’s parks and recreation areas.

A reconsideration of Pennsylvania’s no-fee park policy may be long overdue. While user fees might not be a cure-all, they would help to discourage overcrowding and irresponsible behavior in state parks, while at the same time helping to bridge DCNR’s budget gaps.

Juliet Perrin

Albrightsville