What is the point of charging divers additional fees at Florida State Parks?

[Burke]

They charge extra for more than just diving, sometimes. It surprising that fees are so inconsistent considering they're all operated by the state. I went into a state park in Miami (Oleta) to kayak and they didn't want to honor the annual pass I bought at Peacock. In the end, they agreed to let me in if I would pay an extra $1 for kayaking. I've never had this problem at other parks and that's the only place I've been charged extra for the kayak.

I agree that the dive police service offered at some of the parks has the potential to get outta' control. A little too much information can become dangerous. Next, they'll be approving gear configurations.

[Line Squirrel]

I went into a state park in Miami (Oleta) to kayak and they didn't want to honor the annual pass I bought at Peacock. In the end, they agreed to let me in if I would pay an extra $1 for kayaking.

I agree, they all don't seem to be on the same page. Even when it comes to the annual passes.

Anyway...just FYI for everybody

From this site ~ http://www.floridastateparks.org/annualpass/default.cfm

Annual Passes allow you to discover, experience and enjoy the beauty of Florida's State Parks for just pennies a day! (Local surcharges may apply.) Entrance passes are honored in all state parks, except Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, where they are valid for a 33% discount. Annual passes also make wonderful gifts!

Camping not included.

[Rubis]

Whining and complaining about this is pretty off IMO :

The State parks in Florida own the properties and as such protect them from being used for other purposes : water bottling plants, Industrial applications, tap water, or simply having industries getting there ...
The State Parks do preserve this unique environment for all of us to enjoy.

They are nice enough to give cave divers access. We as a community have convinced them that cave divers produce revenue and we got access to the caves. Lately we got access to places that have been off limits for years ...

Somebody in this thread mentioned MO.
I will mention Italy and France. It's so difficult to have free access to caves over there. Most of the caves are exploited for drinking water, owned by difficult individuals, or simply closed as the sites are too "dangerous". The caves that are left open not always have easy access. Sometimes you need to hike thousands of feet in a slippery dry cave before you can dive. Forget about pic-nic tables !

I am happy to pay a fee to the State Parks and enjoy access. I am happy to contribute to the NSS-CDS and make sure we keep access to the caves. I am happy I am able to cave dive in Florida and have easy access to all those caves.
YMMV but I think we are pretty lucky in Florida

[runawaylobster]

They charge extra for more than just diving, sometimes. It surprising that fees are so inconsistent considering they're all operated by the state. I went into a state park in Miami (Oleta) to kayak and they didn't want to honor the annual pass I bought at Peacock. In the end, they agreed to let me in if I would pay an extra $1 for kayaking. I've never had this problem at other parks and that's the only place I've been charged extra for the kayak.

I agree that the dive police service offered at some of the parks has the potential to get outta' control. A little too much information can become dangerous. Next, they'll be approving gear configurations.

Pat how interesting.

I had same at pennekamp, they let me in but told me that it didn't cover this extra unexplained $2 charge. how weird. Anyhow I hope my commercial pass works for pennekamp nobody has ever asked to see it LOL!!

LL

[Lanes]

The State parks in Florida own the properties and as such protect them from being used for other purposes : water bottling plants, Industrial applications, tap water, or simply having industries getting there ...
The State Parks do preserve this unique environment for all of us to enjoy.

I don't consider what the State of Florida did to Little River as protection, quite the opposite really. They came in and shut down the park for an extended period of time, cut down many trees, paved a large area, changed the bank, charge a fee, and tell you what hours you can enjoy the park. This is not the "Real Florida", it is Disney World Florida. I don't understand the mindset of people that quiver to the demands of the state. Oh they let us breath the air, we should be thankful for the privilege. The State of Florida has confiscated access to many sites. Who does cave diving hurt that the State of Florida decides they must regulate it? Do you really want the government to protect you from yourselves?

[sskasser]

I don't consider what the State of Florida did to Little River as protection, quite the opposite really. They came in and shut down the park for an extended period of time, cut down many trees, paved a large area, changed the bank, charge a fee, and tell you what hours you can enjoy the park. This is not the "Real Florida", it is Disney World Florida. I don't understand the mindset of people that quiver to the demands of the state. Oh they let us breath the air, we should be thankful for the privilege. The State of Florida has confiscated access to many sites. Who does cave diving hurt that the State of Florida decides they must regulate it? Do you really want the government to protect you from yourselves?

Since when is there a fee at LR?

[Daedalus]

We have nobody to blame but ourselves for this one. There was a time you could dive right up to within minutes of closing as long as you were out of the park by closing. But slowly more and more divers pushed the time limit and rangers had to wait around well past closing time. Rangers want to go home too at some point.

I would prefer the Little River model where you are either out by closing or they lock the gate behind you and you can deal with the sheriff, seems to work pretty well at LR. I would vastly prefer they don't lock the gate at all and you can dive whenever you want.

[Line Squirrel]

I would prefer the Little River model where you are either out by closing or they lock the gate behind you and you can deal with the sheriff, seems to work pretty well at LR.

I think the rangers would prefer that as well, but the boss [who gets to go home on time] thinks differently

"Lock me in!" as long as I have gas and a couple sandwiches

[DogDiver]

Ginnie Fees:

I would suspect the fees charged for cave diving at GSO reflect the liability insurance premiums that they pay. This was the reason for the ban on ATV's. Aside from their noise and recklessness, the liability issue forced the ban. As we all know, cave diving is a very high risk activity, and GSO needes to cover themselves in this very litagenous society....Ken

[Burke]

Ginnie Fees:

I would suspect the fees charged for cave diving at GSO reflect the liability insurance premiums that they pay. This was the reason for the ban on ATV's. Aside from their noise and recklessness, the liability issue forced the ban. As we all know, cave diving is a very high risk activity, and GSO needes to cover themselves in this very litagenous society....Ken

They banned ATVs?! Wow... when did that happen, recently? It will be a much nicer place to camp now.