The National Park Service (NPS) announced last week that Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is transitioning to a cashless fee system at Smithfield, Milford and Turtle Beaches.
While on duty, fee collectors will only accept credit/debit card payments at those sites. Those paying with cash can still do so at separate fee payment stations and cash is accepted at all other fee areas in the park and at the three beaches when fee collectors are not on duty.
Credit/debit card payments cannot be made at Dingmans and Bushkill Accesses.
“Transitioning to a cashless system at these sites allows the park to be better stewards of visitor dollars by reducing the amount of time park staff spend managing cash, increasing the amount of fee revenue available to support critical projects and visitor services, improving accountability, and reducing risk,” said Elizabeth Winslow, Fee Program Manager for the park. “When we spend less to manage the program, there is more money available to support important services and projects that benefit our visitors.”
Through mid-October, the daily fee is $10 per car (up to seven people), $2 per individual, and $45 for an annual pass.
The expanded amenity fees charged at five park sites are authorized under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004 (FLREA), which allows 80% of the revenue collected at Delaware Water Gap NRA to remain in the park. Under FLREA, 55% of fee revenue must be used on deferred maintenance projects that have a direct impact on park visitors while the remainder may be used for staffing, supplies, or other enhancements at visitor use sites.
In the past, the revenue has been used to pay for all or part of lifeguard and fee collector salaries. Recent projects supported by fee revenue include restoration of the Lower Hornbecks Creek Trail, routine resurfacing of the McDade Recreational Trail, and installation of new entry doors at Pocono Environmental Education Center.
For more information on the fees or annual passes, log onto https://www.nps.gov/dewa/planyourvisit/fees.htm and scroll down to “Park Fees.”
For more information on Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, call the information desk at 570-426-2452 or log onto www.nps.gov/dewa.
