Are the self-pay stations at state/national parks just to scare/intimidate the public?

Thats good. National forests and some national wildlife refuges and preserves are free to enter. The place I go that has parking meters probably put them up because of too many people like 430 thinking they were pulling a fast one by ignoring the parking fee. Another place I go used to have the gate manned only on weekdays in the summer and now has someone there almost all day every day.

the430miler wrote:

I believe the self-pay stations at state/national parks exist just to scare/intimidate the public.

Let's face it. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY voluntarily puts money in those things.

I'm curious to see the statistics on this. Does anyone in the know have a rough estimation on how many people pay at those stations? More than 50%, or less than that?

Not in Texas wrote:

the430miler wrote:

I believe the self-pay stations at state/national parks exist just to scare/intimidate the public.

Let's face it. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY voluntarily puts money in those things.

I'm curious to see the statistics on this. Does anyone in the know have a rough estimation on how many people pay at those stations? More than 50%, or less than that?

At least 95% where I live, probably higher. Never even heard of or seen anyone refusing to pay, but I suppose it happens. But I live in Democrat country.

the430miler wrote:

I smoke alot of cigars and pipes, especially when I'm at parks.

But I don't eat doritos or dognuts.

I am a good roll modle for my runners.

Dude, don’t lie. You definitely eat dog nuts.

the430miler wrote:

I'm definately a pubic figure.

Yes, that has been well established in this thread.

Most people voluntarily pay at self service entry fee stations.

Requesting that people voluntarily pay a fee at these stations, with no attendant present, is similar to the requested compliance with most laws and regulations in our society. We do not have people watching over everyone 24/7 to ensure that people do not murder others, steal, etc.

Most people voluntarily comply with regulations because they are good, responsible and participating members of our society. Most people voluntarily comply with regulations because they understand the value of the regulation, want to do the right thing, and some comply out of fear of getting caught and subsequent consequences.

Parks that charge a fee are doing so because they are providing outstanding amenities that require time, energy and $ to properly construct, manage and maintain. Fees are necessary in some locations because the baseline governmental support (funding, staff) is inadequate to properly provide those amenities.

Park amenities include things like paved access roads and parking areas for trailheads, facilities at trailheads, signage, and trail management and maintenance. Also management to ensure that you are in a beautiful natural environment instead of a trash dump, subdivision or concrete jungle. In today's world, it requires a conscious effort to protect plants, animals, ecosystems and natural areas from unregulated human development.

If you do not understand the value of all this, consider the alternatives. Those may include running on sidewalks, alleys, parking lots or roads. You could also run countless multiple loops on a track or in mall parking lots.

Do you also encourage your runners to shoplift or not pay for things at self service checkout stations in stores? Cheat on tests? Take shortcuts during races? Use PEDs?

PS- are all the facilities at your college open and free for public use? (including the track, gymnasiums, weight room, etc.) Do you coach members of the public for free? Do you actually teach any classes and can anyone receive credit without registering and paying fees?

I've been trying to figure out for a long time what the actual criteria for thread deletion are. Apparently we can add "openly advocating criminal activity" to the list of things that are acceptable.

not true wrote:

People with integrity pay. People with true American values pay. People who don't tell lies on the internet pay. Entitled freeloaders don't pay.

Those rotten billionaires. They don't even pay any taxes.

Why would the state and federal government want to scare or intimidate a parks-goer?

At one of our very popular state parks (in Michigan) if you don't buy a day-pass on your own, sometimes a parks worker will come and put a ticket on your car for the amount of the day pass ($4). They just want you to pay for the things and services you consume.

the430miler wrote:

I'm definately a pubic figure.

I'll let my teams results do all the talking in terms of what the media thinks about me.

I plan to be awarded teXXXas college coach of the year next season. And definately national coach of the year in this decade.

How definate are you about this?

Truth Bomber wrote:

I actually always use them because I like my government contributions going to beautiful things like parks instead of welfare. And people like you are ghetto and I know the park is going to need my donation to clean your cigarette butts and Doritos bags out of the park at some point.

+1

When I visit family in another state I drive to the two state parks nearby, park there, and run early morning or evening when the booth is not manned. It's also not manned all winter. It never occurred to me that you were supposed to pay. I've never stopped and read the stuff at the booth. I just figured off hours were free. But I googled it just now and apparently I was supposed to pay.

I do see people parked outside the park and walking in. The fee is per car, but is walking in criminal too?

As a kid (before driving) we spent the summers near one of the parks and I'd walk in or ride my bike in almost every day. Was I a juvenile delinquent?

Next time I visit I'll just swap cars with my sister since she always has an annual pass. I'll gladly pay if I'm going to be in there regularly, or a day pass for a whole day, but it seems a bit much for a 1 hour run.

the430miler wrote:

I'm definately a pubic figure.

I'll let my teams results do all the talking in terms of what the media thinks about me.

I plan to be awarded teXXXas college coach of the year next season. And definately national coach of the year in this decade.

Is the the real the430miler or a spoof account where someone switched the L with a 1 or something? This seems like an exaggerated spoof of something the430miler would say. "definately a pubic figure" is hard to take seriously.

I am a crook - no you aren't wrote:

I do see people parked outside the park and walking in. The fee is per car, but is walking in criminal too?

As a kid (before driving) we spent the summers near one of the parks and I'd walk in or ride my bike in almost every day. Was I a juvenile delinquent?

The fee is only for vehicle parking inside. There is no fee for parking outside and walking into the park.

There's no fee for riding your bike in either.

If billionaires paid their fair share of taxes, then the National Parks would be free.

the430miler wrote:

Ok heres the deal.

I believe the self-pay stations at state/national parks exist just to scare/intimidate the public.

Let's face it. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY voluntarily puts money in those things. It's basically the parks that dont want to pay someone to sit in a booth and take your payment, so they write up a threatening sign that says you MUST put cash in the self pay station, or else the boogie man or some legal entity is gonna huntcha down and GITCHA.

-the430miler

mentality > physicality

head track coach and assistant cc coach

A college in San Antonio

OK, here's the deal. The next time you are at Government Canyon and you don't pay then I am going to issue a citation to you and each of your students that are over 18, impound your vehicle and see you in court.

Have a great day!

Ranger Rick wrote:

OK, here's the deal. The next time you are at Government Canyon and you don't pay then I am going to issue a citation to you and each of your students that are over 18, impound your vehicle and see you in court.

You issue citations to imaginary students?

the420miler wrote:

Is the the real the430miler or a spoof account where someone switched the L with a 1 or something? This seems like an exaggerated spoof of something the430miler would say. "definately a pubic figure" is hard to take seriously.

It's definately his account. I think he might be off his meds.

the420miler wrote:

Ranger Rick wrote:

OK, here's the deal. The next time you are at Government Canyon and you don't pay then I am going to issue a citation to you and each of your students that are over 18, impound your vehicle and see you in court.

You issue citations to imaginary students?

I dont teach in the classroom. I only teach on the track. A coach is a teacher.

However, my university has been begging me to become an adjunct professor. I will start a new thread on this matter. In addition to coaching I also own Worlds Best Water Company on i40 near amarillo. Coaching is my 2nd job but it really is my passion. Happy new year and dog bless.