SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico’s State Parks Division has been studying potential fee changes at parks. Now, the agency is planning nine public meetings to discuss the completed study.
New Mexico has 35 state-operated parks, which are funded primarily though fees, concessions, and the like, according to the State Parks Division. The fees haven’t been changed in decades, and there has been some political discussion about updating fees.
To weigh options, the State Park Division studied potential scenarios, such as making day use free for residents (it’s currently $5), getting rid of annual passes, and increasing utility access costs. Now, they’ll present those options in a series of public meetings
More information about the study can be found at this link . Meetings are scheduled for the following times:
- Wednesday, February 21, 2024; 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM at Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, 5000 Calle del Norte, Mesilla, NM 88046
- Thursday, February 22, 2024; 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM at Elephant Butte Lake State Park Boating Education Center, 101 Hwy 195, Elephant Butte, NM 87935
- Wednesday, February 28, 2024; 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM, Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park, 1504 Skyline Dr., Carlsbad, NM 88220
- Friday, March 1, 2024; 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM, Virtual WebEx Meeting (TBD)
- Wednesday, March 6, 2024; 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM, Mesalands Community College Wind Energy Center Building E, 911 South Tenth Street Tucumcari, NM 88401
- Thursday, March 7, 2024; 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM, NM Department of Public Safety/State Police, 520 S Commerce St., Las Vegas, NM 87701
- Monday, March 11, 2024; 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM, Navajo Lake State Park Visitor Center, 36 Road 4110 #1, Navajo Dam, NM 87419
- Tuesday, March 12, 2024; 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM, Rio Grande Nature Center State Park Education Building, 2901 Candelaria Rd., NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107
- Monday, April 1, 2024; 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Virtual Option TBD), EMNRD Wendell Chino Building (Pecos Hall), 1220 South St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505