While East Bay parks have not been charging fees to make it easier for folks to get outside during the coronavirus pandemic, officials said the free ride will soon be coming to an end.
“Right now, fees are waived,” said Dave Mason, spokesperson for the East Bay Regional Parks District. “We plan to keep that up through the end of the year.”
However, Mason told KCBS Radio that starting in 2021, they will once again be charging for parking and other activities.
Don goes for hikes in Lake Chabot Park.
“We come down here to walk, to get exercise on a regular basis,” he said. “We live close by, so why not?”
The parks have been more popular than ever during the pandemic.
“More people have been relying on our parks more than ever, obviously because they do have a lot of benefits for folks, especially when there are not as many opportunities for recreation and entertainment in the public,” Mason said. “So, we’ve been having a lot of demand on our parks.”
He noted that the loss of fee revenue has added to their list of challenges, but said the parks district has always been very fiscally sound, and fees help its bottom line.
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