[NEWS RELEASE] NM State Parks Division to hold informational meetings on newly completed fees study
Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor
Dylan Fuge, Deputy Cabinet Secretary
Toby Velasquez, State Parks Division Director
Contact:
Wendy Mason
Marketing & Public Relations Manager
NM State Parks Division
wendy.mason@emnrd.nm.gov
505-819-1785
Sidney Hill
Public Information Officer, EMNRD
sidney.hill@emnrd.nm.gov
505-629-2900
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 14, 2024
New Mexico State Parks Division to hold informational meetings on newly completed fees study
Day-use fees would be eliminated for New Mexico residents under a new rule change
Santa Fe, NM –The State Parks Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (State Parks) announces a series of public meetings to discuss a recent Fees Study that proposes an increase in certain State Parks related fees, while eliminating day-use entrance fees to State Parks for New Mexico residents.
State Parks has 35 locations in 25 of New Mexico’s 33 counties. State Parks rely heavily on self-generated revenue through entrance and camping fees, concessions, and other related revenue streams to accomplish its mission of enhancing natural and cultural resources, providing first-class recreational and education facilities and opportunities, and promoting public safety to benefit and enrich the lives of more than five million visitors each year.
State Park’s current fees, which are set by rule, have not been updated in decades and have not kept pace with inflation . The principal objective of the Fees Study was to explore options to adjust fees to address that gap in order to both improve the agency’s financial position while also enhancing the Division’s mission to maintain affordable state park access for New Mexico citizens and visitors to our state.
“Our state parks have been the crown jewel of outdoor recreation in New Mexico for 91 years and they are essential contributors to quality of life in our state” said Toby Velasquez, State Parks Division Director. “We are decades behind surrounding states when it comes to our fees structure. Adjustments are necessary to better support these beautiful landscapes with diverse natural and cultural resources for future generations.”
Key elements in the Fees Study include:
Elimination of day-use fees for New Mexico residents. Implementation of a non-resident day-use fee. Eliminating Annual Passes. Adjusting camping and utility fees. Adjusting boat registration and launching fees. Adjusting entrance fees at Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park and Smokey Bear Historical Park.
The current Fees Study informational meeting dates, times, and locations are as follows (Note: Meeting schedules are subject to change and any changes will be publicized):
Informational Meeting Date
Time
Location
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Mesilla Valley Bosque
State Park
5000 Calle del Norte
Mesilla, NM 88046
Thursday, February 22, 2024
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Elephant Butte Lake State Park
Boating Education Center
101 Hwy 195
Elephant Butte, NM 87935
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park
1504 Skyline Dr.
Carlsbad, NM 88220
Friday, March 1, 2024
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Virtual WebEx Meeting
TBD
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Mesalands Community College Wind Energy Center
Building E
911 South Tenth Street Tucumcari, NM 88401
Thursday, March 7, 2024
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
NM Department of Public Safety/State Police
520 S Commerce St.
Las Vegas, NM 87701
Monday, March 11, 2024
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Navajo Lake State Park
Visitor Center
36 Road 4110 #1
Navajo Dam, NM 87419
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Rio Grande Nature Center
State Park
Education Building
2901 Candelaria Rd., NW
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Monday, April 1, 2024
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Virtual Option TBD
EMNRD
Wendell Chino Building
Pecos Hall
1220 South St. Francis Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87505
The Fees Study and Executive Summary are available to view or download in PDF format on the emnrd.nm.gov website under Park Plans , or at the following links.
New Mexico State Parks Fees Study Executive Summary
New Mexico State Parks Fees Study
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The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department provides resource protection and resource development services to the public and other state agencies. Learn more at https://www.emnrd.nm.gov