DNREC requesting fee increases at Delaware state parks

Vehicle fees could be increasing at Delaware state parks.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources is requesting a hike in vehicle parking fees to help with increasing costs within the Division of Parks and Recreation.

Currently, in-state vehicles pay $3 to park at inland parks and $4 to park at the beach. Those fees would each go up by one dollar. Out of state vehicle fees would increase from $6 to $8 at inland parks and from $8 to $10 at the beach.

Annual parking passes would also increase from $27 to $35 for instate, and from $54 to $70 for out of state vehicles.

State park parking fees have not been raised in ten years.

DNREC officials are hosting a series of open houses in each of Delaware’s three counties to gather public input.

“Current user fees haven’t kept up with the cost of maintaining the irreplaceable state parks we manage,” said Ray Bivens, director of the Division of Parks and Recreation. “The open houses provide an opportunity for the public to get a better understanding of the need for the funding and to hear public feedback on the proposed changes.”

Meetings at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes will be held Dec. 2 from 2-4 p.m. and from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Meetings at Bellevue State Park in Wilmington will be held on Dec. 4 from 2-4 p.m. and from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Meetings at Killens Pond State Park Nature Center in Felton will be held Dec. 9 from 2-4 p.m. and from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The proposed fee package is available through DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation.