MIAMI / NAPLES / HOMESTEAD / FLORIDA KEYS, FL — Over the last several years, park managers
have worked to improve visitor services in Everglades National Park, thanks in large part to changes in
2015 to the entrance fee program where fees had not previously changed in nearly 20 years.
"With the increased revenue and some strategic investments, we have finally been able to attract a
concessioner to construct a new restaurant and lodging with sweeping views of Florida Bay," stated
Superintendent Pedro Ramos. "We still have a long way to go, however, to make every visitor
destination in Everglades National Park really shine."
With a parkwide deferred maintenance backlog that presently exceeds $88 million dollars, the amount
of investment needed is significant. To address the gap, park managers have analyzed the park's
current fees and fee collection practices with the intention of setting a new fee structure that is equitable
for all park visitors.
In alignment with national standards, the proposed fee for the Everglades National Park Annual Pass
will go from $40 to $50 while the pedestrian rate (for walk-in, paddle-in, and bike-in visitors) will go from
$8 to $12. The changes are proposed to begin in January 2018.
Following a successful pilot program last year, new technology will be implemented at Everglades
National Park that will allow for the purchase of park entrance passes via a smartphone or mobile
device. Recent expansion of cellular service in the park will make this technology available to all
visitors, including those who enter through a marine boundary. "It is important that all visitors to Everglades National Park share in the responsibility of caring for the park's infrastructure," noted Superintendent Ramos noted. "Thanks to advancements in technology, we are confident that we can make this easier for everyone."
Park managers are also proposing to eliminate more than a half dozen fees from its current fee
schedule. "Our goal is to provide a high quality visitor experience that begins at the entrance gate,"
stated Deputy Superintendent Justin Unger. "By eliminating these fees in favor of a more robust
entrance fee program we will be able to reduce visitor confusion over our fee schedule and hopefully
speed up entrance lines."
Everglades National Park managers are seeking public input on the proposed changes. "It's critical that
we continue the recent successes of our long-term capital investment strategy and we are going to
have to use every tool in our tool box to accomplish this monumental task. We are 100 percent
committed to enhancing the public's experience on their public lands," said Superintendent Ramos.
Thanks to the recreation fee program (though which entrance fees are administered), Everglades
National Park has invested more than $2.5 million in facilities in the last three years. Projects have
included, among others, the reroofing of the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center and the park's Main Entrance Station; the construction of a new canoe launch at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center; and the installation of three new hot water shower houses at the Long Pine Key Campground.
Over the next five years, an additional $14.5 million of investments are anticipated including the
conversion of the former Flamingo restaurant into a new Visitor Center; the rehabilitation of sewage lift
stations in the Flamingo District; the replacement of the Pa-hay-okee, Snake Bight, and West Lake
boardwalks; and pavement preservation work at Shark Valley, Royal Palm, and the Coe Visitor Center.
"We invite everyone to comment on these proposed fee changes," stated Superintendent Ramos.
"Public participation is at the heart of the National Park Service planning and decision making process."
Public meetings are scheduled in the coming weeks with additional opportunities to comment by mail or
email. Written comments may be mailed to: Proposed Fee Changes, Superintendent, Everglades and
Dry Tortugas National Parks, 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, Florida, 33034-6733. Comments
may also be emailed to: EVER_Superintendent@nps.gov. Comments must be received by 5:00 pm,
Friday, September 15, 2017.
Following the comment period, a recommendation on fee changes will be developed and submitted to
the National Park Service Washington, D.C. office for final review and action.
Public Meeting Schedule:
August 7, 2017 Monday Conservancy of Southwest Florida 6:00-7:00 PM
Eaton Conservation Hall
1495 Smith Preserve Way
Naples, Florida 34102
August 8, 2017 Tuesday Murray Nelson Government Center 6:00-7:00 PM
102050 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, Florida 33037
August 9, 2017 Wednesday South Dade Regional Library 6:00-7:00 PM
10750 SW 211 Street
Cutler Bay, Florida 33189
August 10, 2017 Thursday UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County 6:00-7:00 PM
18710 SW 288 th Street
Homestead, Florida 33030
Enclosure: Everglades National Park Summary of Proposed Fee Changes.
