TIMES RECORD • July 15, 2022
On August 4, entrance fees are waived at the 110 national parks that normally charge admission. With so many Americans eager for post-pandemic travel, but with gasoline prices damnably high, wouldn’t this be a great time to give citizens free access to the parks all summer long? New government figures indicate that in 2021 park visitors spent $20.5 billion in communities within 60 miles of the venues. These expenditures directly supported a total of 190,700 full and part-time jobs. I find visiting National Parks not only breathtaking but also inspirational. If we really want people to love and appreciate our country, making it easier for them to visit its vast natural treasures seems like a no-brainer. ~ Peter Funt