PROPOSED REVISIONS OF MARICOPA COUNTY PARKS AND RE - FEE SCHED LINE BY LINE NARR (2).PDF

Maricopa County Parks and Recreation
FY10 Proposed Fee Schedule Narrative
User fee survey – Maricopa County Parks System
In December 2008, the Department received the 2007-2008 Maricopa County Parks Visitor Study as part of
our cooperative services agreement with Arizona State University. The year-long study was conducted to
assess park visitor behavior and customer service attitudes in each of eight Maricopa County Parks. The
following data represents the outcome of mail-back and on-site collection which began in mid-October 2007.
Table 4.14 Management and user fee issues in the Maricopa County Parks System
Strongly Strongly 2007- 2005- 2002-
Disagree Disagree Agree agree 2008 2006 2003
Percent Percent Percent Percent Mean1 Mean Mean
Regional parks are a service that should
continue to be funded by the Maricopa
County Board of Supervisors 1.2 1.8 40.2 56.8 3.53 3.56 3.46
Entrance fees should be increased
occasionally to keep up with inflation and
increases in operating costs 4.0 16.9 51.7 27.4 3.03 2.99 2.82
Entrance fees should be kept at a minimum to
encourage use of regional parks 1.5 9.7 46.1 42.7 3.30 3.26 3.38
We need more regional parks 1.4 20.2 39.3 39.1 3.16 3.15 2.97
I would be willing to pay a user fee for
educational programs and workshops if
offered in regional parks 10.8 31.9 45.2 12.1 2.59 2.68 2.47
I would support a modest property tax to
support the county regional parks system 14.8 30.2 39.7 15.3 2.59 2.73 1.99
Hunting is an appropriate activity in county
parks 60.4 24.7 9.0 5.9 1.61 NA NA
Rock climbing is an appropriate activity in
county parks 8.3 16.6 56.2 18.9 2.86 NA NA
Q15: The following is a list of statements describing management and user fee issues in the Maricopa county parks System. Please indicate the degree to
which you agree or disagree with each of the statements. 11=Strongly disagree, 2=Disagree, 3=Agree and 4=Strongly agree
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Maricopa County Parks and Recreation
FY10 Proposed Fee Schedule Narrative
Hike/Bike/Equestrian Walk-In Increase ($1.00 to $2.00)
Our benchmarking of the walk-in rate established we were well below the rates of other park systems. Using
the Strategic System Master Plan, San-Bernardino County’s current rate is $2.00 as were a number of other
locations. With approval of this fee increase, we would be bringing our fee into market range of similar parks.
In addition, Arizona State Parks, considered our sister agency, has a current rate of $2.00 and is proposing an
increase to $3.00 in March 2010.
The System Master Plan also notes several locations that did not have a separate walk-in rate. These parks
were funded by their respective general funds for the majority of park operations.
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Maricopa County Parks and Recreation
FY10 Proposed Fee Schedule Narrative
Wedding Packages
The wedding package fees proposed deal specifically with the Nature Centers and Desert Outdoor Center.
These fees include complete set-up (chairs, tables, decorating, etc), the ceremony and reception, and take-
down/clean-up of the event. The proposed fee also includes a one hour rehearsal the day before the
ceremony. The Department compared wedding package rates for various facilities around the metropolitan
area and found the proposed rates to be in-line with other facilities. The Department will continue to allow the
rental of individual ramada areas for wedding ceremonies at the proposed rental rate of $20.00 to $80.00 per 4
hour block, depending on the size of the ramada.
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Maricopa County Parks and Recreation
FY10 Proposed Fee Schedule Narrative
Developed Camping Fees
Using the Strategic System Master Plan data comparison and a rate comparison conducted in July 2009
throughout Arizona and our neighboring states, we have fallen behind the average fees charged for developed
camping. Arizona State Parks averages $22 for developed camping sites, with examples ranging from $22 per
site at Kartchner Caverns to $25 per site at other parks such as Fool Hollow. In addition, Arizona State Parks
is currently seeking a fee increase (March 2010) which will increase their average cost to $27.50. Depending
on the season, the cost per night for various Arizona State Parks will be a low of $20.00 and a high of
$35.00/night. This is well above the current proposed rate of $25.00 that we seek. We also compared
developed fees of San Bernardino County Parks and their average was $27.73 per site. In addition, Cedar
Hills State Park had a rate of $20 and Mohave County Parks-Davis Camp reflected a rate of $25.
Rodeo Grounds ($50.00 to $150.00)
The proposed rate increase for the rodeo grounds at Estrella Mountain Regional Park is for the facility rental.
This includes the announcer’s booth, warm-up arena, main arena, and cattle sorting stalls. There may be
additional fees related to water, tractor work, etc. When benchmarking against City of Phoenix Horse Lover’s
Park, Phoenix charges separate fees for non-profit rental at $150 for a half day (four hours) and $250 for a full
day (eight hours). The commercial rental charge is $300 for a half day with $500 for a full day. The City of
Phoenix also has additional fees associated with staff and equipment.
We also compared the rental rate for the Larkin Area at the New River Kiwanis Park. Their rental rate is $300
per day, which includes the tractor and the lights. There is an additional $150 cleaning deposit which is
returned if area is left clean. It also appears they provide an hourly rental of $30 per hour without lights or $50
per hour with lights.
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Maricopa County Parks and Recreation
FY10 Proposed Fee Schedule Narrative
Archery Fees (New $2.00/archer supply fee)
This fee applies only to Usery Mountain Regional Park where we have archery targets as well as 3-D shooting.
The fee increase applies only to a supply fee for the targets – paper, animal, and field targets. Presently, Ben
Avery charges $7.00 per archer for use of their range. Our fee is well below this at $2.00 per archer, along
with the $6.00 entry fee per vehicle.
Archery Fees
$2.00
$7.00 per archer
$6.00
$7.00
$5.00 per archer
$6.00
per vehicle
$4.00
$3.00 Usery Ben Avery
$2.00 $2.00 per archer
supply fee will help
offset cost of paper ,
$1.00 animal and field
targets.
Proposed Increase Current Fee
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Maricopa County Parks and Recreation
FY10 Proposed Fee Schedule Narrative
Watercraft Rates
Lake Pleasant Regional Park’s watercraft rates have not changed since 1999 when the original $2.00 per boat
fee was established. Thus, it has been 10 years since there has been a rate adjustment to the watercraft entry
fee. The proposed rate of $4.00 per motorized watercraft ($2.00 increase) and $2.00 per non-motorized (no
change) provides a diverse option for our boaters but still falls at or below the benchmarked parks. For
example, Mohave County charges $10.00 per boat and our nearby lakes, Bartlett and Saguaro (Tonto National
Forest) currently charge $10.00 per vehicle with watercraft ($6.00 entry plus $4.00/watercraft). Finally, Arizona
State Parks is proposing a fee increase to raise their entry fee with watercraft to $15.00, significantly above our
proposed rate.
Allowing the separate rates of motorized and non-motorized provides for the visitors who use canoes, kayaks,
wakeboards, and wind boards to pay a reduced rate (no increase proposed for this rate) than the motorized
boats. It also allows the Department to collect fees to support the on water costs associated with maintaining
the buoys, docks, floating restrooms, and clean areas of Lake Pleasant.
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Maricopa County Parks and Recreation
FY10 Proposed Fee Schedule Narrative
Parks and Recreation Budget Information:
The following table and charts represent overall budget information for the funding sources for Maricopa
County Parks and Recreation within the three main funding sources: General Fund (100), Enhancement Fund
(241), and Lake Fund (240).
Table A: Year to Year Revenue Totals
FY05 FY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10
Fund Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Projected
100 (General) $1,245,500 $1,472,518 $1,761,208 $1,760,538 $1,162,995 $670,090
241 (Enhancement) $2,291,424 $2,601,131 $2,603,993 $3,637,770 $3,862,984 $3,276,989
240 (Lake) $1,302,483 $1,295,261 $1,760,589 $2,361,792 $1,681,006 $1,709,477
Chart A: Year to Year Revenue
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Maricopa County Parks and Recreation
FY10 Proposed Fee Schedule Narrative
Chart B: Year to Year Total Revenue
Chart C: Year to Year General Fund (100) Budget
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