MONROE - State park admission fees haven't increased since 2006, but the proposed $3 spike in annual park's pass fees doesn't rankle many non-profit organizations that raise funds for state parks.
"Three bucks, that's less than going to see a movie, and you don't have to go back and pay every time," said Gwenn Fischer, president of the Friends of Yellowstone State Park.
Fischer said she is not worried about Gov. Scott Walker's proposed spending plan that would cut $4.6 million in tax funding for the state's parks, trails and recreation areas. To make up for the cut, Walker proposed hiking the annual park pass fee by $3 to $28 and upping the camping fee by $2 per night.
"I've heard people complain that it's $25," Fischer said. "But I don't foresee a significant drop in people coming up to Yellowstone."
Fischer said the fund-raising group for Yellowstone Lake is relatively new, and each member has a passion for conservation. She said volunteers help when they can but the Department of Natural Resources workers are the ones who keep the park looking sharp.
"Rangers do the maintenance and law enforcement steps in. There's a lot of hands-on," Fischer said. "We pitch in a little bit, but we're a kind of small group - we have a paying membership of a couple dozen and about nine active members."
Tax revenue makes up about a quarter of the current $16.7 million parks budget, according to published reports. The potential decrease in Walker's spending plan would cut that down to $15.6 million, with the idea that an increase in park pass and camping prices would make up for the cut.
DNR spokesman Bill Cosh said he is working closely with Walker to make the spending plan work for the DNR.
"The governor's budget recognizes the potential of Wisconsin state parks as a user-supported state resource, that will allow Wisconsin state parks to stay healthy and visitor-focused," Cosh wrote in an email.
Friends of Cadiz Springs State Park Treasurer Ric Joranlien echoed Fischer, saying the potential fee increase won't effect them.
Joranlien said most of the fund-raising events at Beckman Lake are free to the public with monies coming from food sales.
"There essentially free events, they're just for awareness of the park," Joranlien said. "Like in the spring when we have our free park day."
Former Friends of Cadiz Springs president Bryan Buri agreed the potential fee increase would likely not influence park attendance or raising money.
"I suppose some people would think "I'm paying more money, I should be getting more out of it,'" Bury said. "Between the fishing and places to walk your dog, it's a nice place and it's worth keeping."
"Three bucks, that's less than going to see a movie, and you don't have to go back and pay every time," said Gwenn Fischer, president of the Friends of Yellowstone State Park.
Fischer said she is not worried about Gov. Scott Walker's proposed spending plan that would cut $4.6 million in tax funding for the state's parks, trails and recreation areas. To make up for the cut, Walker proposed hiking the annual park pass fee by $3 to $28 and upping the camping fee by $2 per night.
"I've heard people complain that it's $25," Fischer said. "But I don't foresee a significant drop in people coming up to Yellowstone."
Fischer said the fund-raising group for Yellowstone Lake is relatively new, and each member has a passion for conservation. She said volunteers help when they can but the Department of Natural Resources workers are the ones who keep the park looking sharp.
"Rangers do the maintenance and law enforcement steps in. There's a lot of hands-on," Fischer said. "We pitch in a little bit, but we're a kind of small group - we have a paying membership of a couple dozen and about nine active members."
Tax revenue makes up about a quarter of the current $16.7 million parks budget, according to published reports. The potential decrease in Walker's spending plan would cut that down to $15.6 million, with the idea that an increase in park pass and camping prices would make up for the cut.
DNR spokesman Bill Cosh said he is working closely with Walker to make the spending plan work for the DNR.
"The governor's budget recognizes the potential of Wisconsin state parks as a user-supported state resource, that will allow Wisconsin state parks to stay healthy and visitor-focused," Cosh wrote in an email.
Friends of Cadiz Springs State Park Treasurer Ric Joranlien echoed Fischer, saying the potential fee increase won't effect them.
Joranlien said most of the fund-raising events at Beckman Lake are free to the public with monies coming from food sales.
"There essentially free events, they're just for awareness of the park," Joranlien said. "Like in the spring when we have our free park day."
Former Friends of Cadiz Springs president Bryan Buri agreed the potential fee increase would likely not influence park attendance or raising money.
"I suppose some people would think "I'm paying more money, I should be getting more out of it,'" Bury said. "Between the fishing and places to walk your dog, it's a nice place and it's worth keeping."