5 Points About the Controversial Phoenix Park Fee

Earlier this July, the City of Phoenix announced that park users would have to pay a fee to park at five of its trailheads leading to popular park areas. At first, the fee was going to be $5 per day, with the city also offering unlimited use through 6 or 12-month passes ($50 or $75, respectively).

People squawked and balked, and the city relented: It would go down to $2, with the option of a $50 6-month pass. (Read more details in my story on Examiner.com)

Now, Sal DiCiccio, a Phoenix City Council member, is wandering into the fray. It's all a political ploy to him, an easy way to score points with the Phoenicians who will weep and wail over a $2 fee as they drive their gas-guzzling Tahoes to Starbucks for a $5 "Venti" iced mocha with extra whipped cream. And it's possibly a way to distract the public from a hefty conflict of interest involving the extension of the Loop 202 freeway, as reported by New Times.

As if it's not amusing enough that DiCiccio thinks he has anything intelligent to say, an article in The Arizona Republic shows a photo of him using his daughter - who is clearly not old enough to understand the finer points of the issue - to distribute leaflets. I absolutely hate it when politicians use their children as political pawns. The leaflets, according to the Republic, urged users to fight the fees. Exactly how, councilman? Pitchforks? Feathers? Tar? Torches?

At a popular trailhead in Ahwatukee, Republic reporter Cathryn Creno interviewed several people against the fees. It also would've been a leap of reporting insight and innovation if she would've noted what sort of vehicles the people against the fees were driving, and maybe asked how many times a week they dined out. It would've been revealing, I can promise you.

Let's cut to the crux of this matter. Here's the good, bad and neutral about this plan:

1. The affected trailheads are: the Pima Canyon area of South Mountain, the Echo Canyon area of Camelback Mountain; Phoenix Mountains Park Recreation Area (Piestewa Peak), Dreamy Draw Recreation Area and North Mountain Park. All other points are scheduled to remain free.

2. The fees collected will go into the city's general fund, which is my main - no, only - bone of contention with the plan.

3. The Maricopa County Regional Parks have collected a $6 day use fee ever since I can remember. They also have a yearly pass. Oh, and excellent facilities, services and maps. Coincidence? No.

4. DiCiccio insists there wasn't enough public input. Yet an update on the city's own Web site, written by people clearly more involved than DiCiccio, who is only screeching after the fact, reads: "During community budget hearings, residents and users regularly commented that many Phoenix Parks and Recreation services, programs and facilities were priced too low when compared to similar services in neighboring cities." Your thoughts, councilman? Did you attend these meetings?

5. Creno's article raises the point of hardship for lower-income families and sports teams who train at the parks. Really? For real? Seriously? Park at a different trailhead. It's that simple. This fee is only going to affect five trailheads. Or park near the trail and walk in. Even the final naysayer she interviews recognizes that as a solution.

I am fine with the fee, but the funds generated really must go directly toward the parks. If DiCiccio is really interested in showing some leadership, making that happen should be his method - not ill-considered bomb throwing.