The town made almost $900,000 in revenue from day or season passes to Freeman Park last fiscal year, which was July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010. Carolina Beach Town Manager Tim Owens said that number is up from previous years because of the popularity of the north end of the island, where 4-wheel-drive vehicles can enter the beach strand and camping and alcohol are allowed. But, the increase in revenue also could be attributed to the increase in rates implemented by town officials this year. A one-day pass to the park increased from $10 to $20, and a season pass increased from $50 to $60 if purchased before March 31. After that date, the price for a season pass is $100.
Owens said he estimated that the town spends more than $600,000 per year on services provided to Freeman Park. “Any additional funds that remain go into the town’s tourism fund reserves and are spent for tourism-related expenditures,” Owens said. Among the town’s services to the area are police patrol, lifeguards, trash pickup, portable toilets and streetscaping, he said.
Date posted: August 10, 2010
User-contributed question by:
Anonymous
I think the price is incorrect, I paid $60.00 for the first vehicle,then later I had to pay $100.00 because of a “price increse”. boy are these guys making money. I think they found a CASH COW !!!
Thank you for pointing out the fee error. The story has been corrected and updated.
What is streetscaping? I have been going out there for 10 years and I have never seen the entrance and 3/4′s of the path nothing more than a washboard!!! How about getting the so called streetscaper to lower his blade a few times? After all we are paying for it!