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Some state parks will charge admission fee

CHARLESTON — Visiting some West Virginia’s state parks will no longer be free as of Memorial Day weekend.

On Monday, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources unveiled a plan to charge for access to seven parks around the state. The parks that will start charging visitors are Blackwater Falls State Park, located in Davis, W.Va.; Babcock State Park, in Fayette County; Cacapon Resort State Park, Berkeley Springs; Coopers Rock State Forest, Bruceton Mills; Little Beaver State Park, Raleigh County; Pipestem Resort State Park, Mercer County; and Valley Falls State Park, Fairmont.

Visitors to those parks will be charged a $2-per-car fee, or $12 for an annual pass that provides access to any park, said DNR Director Stephen McDaniel. The pilot project is being done to assist with maintenance and upkeep costs, with an expected $1.1 million in revenue expected in 2017.

There will be exemptions for overnight guests and school groups that schedule visits at least a week in advance.

“West Virginians and visitors to the state love our state parks and forests. I hear this all the time,” McDaniel said. “The individual areas, the people and the opportunity to enjoy the facilities, activities and natural settings all work in harmony. There’s something about driving into a park that is relaxing and a welcomed departure from work or stress. My goal is to maintain our state park system for generations.”

The annual passes will be 3-inch by 3-inch windshield stickers that display support for West Virginia’s park system. Everyone in a vehicle displaying a pass will be covered.

The annual passes may be purchased at all state-operated parks and forest gift shops, including those that do not require a pass for entrance. Daily passes may be purchased at pay stations at the park entrance.

Money collected at any park for a pass will be used for maintenance and upkeep at that specific park.

“This is a pilot project that likely will evolve over time,” McDaniel said. “Other states incorporate parks passes to bolster maintenance costs. We believe West Virginia can use the same approach as we address maintenance and upkeep in the 21st century of special places we return to visit decade after decade.”

West Virginia’s state park system covers 45 outdoor areas.

Stonewall Resort will be exempt. It has an independent entrance fee and will not be recognized in the annual pass program.

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