From: Pam Girtman, Clackamas County Business and Community Services, 503-742-4353

Date: 2-25-10

The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners (BCC) approved a fee increase for day-use county parks and a ban on alcohol in those parks today. The day-use fee will rise to $5 a day seven days a week.

Previously proposed to increase to $8, the BCC decided to set the fee at $5 after citizens voiced concerns about what they considered a drastic entry fee rise. Annual day-use passes in county parks will cost $40 for one year, $60 for two years.

Alcohol will be banned in the parks without a special permit. Permits will be available for reserved campsites and group areas, but not in day-use areas.

The extra funding will help pay for security in the parks as well as for parking meters at the gate rather than adding staffing. McIver State Park, upriver from Barton and Carver parks, and Metro Parks charge $5 for day-use entry and have similar meters.

"We want to continue providing a safe place for our county parks patrons to play and stay," said Commissioner Bob Austin. "Barton, Carver and the other county parks draw thousands of outdoor enthusiasts, rafters and campers every summer. We can keep that a part of our safe summer traditions while keeping the Clackamas River healthy, keeping administrative costs to a minimum and trying to ensure public safety for all."

Campsites at Clackamas County parks will be $21.

Additional fees will go toward funding additional security in the parks in an attempt to ease overcrowding there. Public use of riverfront parks such as Carver and Barton parks has increased along with criminal activity, which has led to the ban.