Photo Courtesy of NPS
Federal park officials are proposing parking fee hikes at Riis Park and…
By Forum Staff
Gateway National Recreation Area is proposing to increase parking fees beginning in 2021 at Jacob Riis Park and Sandy Hook in order to maintain and improve visitor services. Eighty percent of the money raised from parking fees stays within the park, according to National Park Service officials, and the additional revenues will be used to improve the condition of visitor facilities and help cover the increase in cost for services such as lifeguards. The parking fee is only charged at Sandy Hook and Riis Park from the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. Biking, walking or using public transportation into these beach areas will remain free.
This would be Gateway’s first parking fee increase in several years. Fees last increased at Sandy Hook and Jacob Riis Park in 2012. Visitors with Senior or Access Passes would be charged half price for parking fees, as they are now.
The proposed parking fee at both Riis Beach and Sandy Hook is $20 per vehicle and $50 per oversize vehicle and is proposed to take place in summer 2021.
Photo Courtesy of NPS
…Jamaica Bay
The proposed season pass for both Riis Beach and Sandy Hook will be $100 and $200 for oversize vehicle.
Sandy Hook Unit
Current Fees
Daily: $15 per vehicle
Season Pass: $75 per vehicle
Oversized Vehicle (20 feet) Daily: $30 per vehicle
Oversized Vehicle Season Pass: $150
Proposed Fees for Summer 2021
Daily: $20 per vehicle
Season Pass: $100 per vehicle
Oversized vehicle (20 feet) daily: $50 per vehicle
Season Pass, Oversized Vehicle: $200 per vehicle
Jamaica Bay Unit
Current Fees
Daily: $10 per vehicle
Season Pass: $65 per vehicle
Oversized vehicle (20 feet) daily: $20 per vehicle
Oversized vehicle season pass: $130
Proposed Fees for Summer 2021
Daily: $20 per vehicle
Season Pass: $100 per vehicle
Oversized vehicle (20 feet) daily: $50
Oversized seasonal charge: $200
Proposed future projects include:
- Rehabilite Toll Booths at Riis parking lot for increased safety and smoother entrance.
- Replace signs throughout the park.
- Repair the exterior of the Nike Radar Buildings.
- Improve ADA accessibility to the beach.
- Renovate the Guardian Park restrooms.
- Repair roof of Spermaceti Cove Visitor Center.
- Increase visitor access to the historic Mortar Battery.
