Will a price hike at North Carolina state parks cost you more green?
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Your next visit to a state park, aquarium, or zoo could cost more depending on where you go, when you go, and what you want to do there.
A proposal tucked into the proposed North Carolina House budget would give the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) the flexibility of "dynamic pricing."
That means, the cost of parks and attractions would change based on demand. The provision in the budget says the purpose of the change is to "maximize revenue" by harnessing "market forces."
However, some are concerned that charging more for the best parks and attractions at the best times of year will end up pricing some North Carolinians out of the best public resources the state has to offer.
For DENR Asst. Secretary Mary Joan Pugh, though, it makes perfect sense.
"If one campsite is closer to the lake and yours is three rows back, why should you have to pay as much as the one that's closer to the lake," asked Pugh.
Pugh offered many examples of how so-called "dynamic pricing" is more "fair" than the static pricing historically offered at state resources and said just accessing parks won't cost any more money.
"Say you're paying $40 for a cabin and you're in the back row," said Pugh. "You'll probably still be paying the $40 for the cabin, whereas if you're in the front row, you might be paying $60 for the cabin."
Pugh said it also could save some people money by lowering prices at parks and attractions at off-peak times and seasons.
"If you wanted to rent a cabin at a state park in the middle of the winter, why should you pay the same price as on Memorial Day weekend," Pugh asked.
