JoeH wrote: Too bad that us Florida residents , whose taxes payed for aquisition of the parks, don't get a preference on reservations and have to fight thru reserveamerica with the rest, most times coming up short as non-residents take up all available sites 11 months in advance. Some counties in FL ( Pinellas,Sarasota for example ) give reservation preverence to thier residents allowing them to reserve before the non-residents. The state should do the same and allow state residents to reserve before opening the sites to non-Florida residents. Say, residents can reserve 11 months to 6 months in advance, then at 6 months, it opens up to everyone. I'd like to be recognized for my tax contributions and have a reasonable chance to get a site at a state park .... thoughts ????
I disagree with what Joe H proposes. Reservations should be on a level playing field for residents and non-residents alike. Non-residents are supporting the local economy in a big way when they utilize Florida State Parks.
OTOH, since Florida taxpayers originally paid for acquisition of the state park lands, they could get a discount, or conversely non-residents could pay more. New York State, as an example, charges non-residents an extra $5.00 per night. Of course I'd rather not pay this $5.00, but in reality don't begrudge it either because campsite fees are quite reasonable in New York, and local taxpayers did in fact pay for the original purchase of these lands.
But to reiterate, no preferential treatment for reservations!
Jerry & Susie
1996 Roadtrek 190 Versatile (Dodge 5.2 L)
FMCA F390585 Trees are being destroyed through the transportation of invasive insects and diseases in firewood. For more information, please visit www.dontmovefirewood.org
Retired JSO wrote: Anything could give Fort Desoto a run. I think Desoto is a dump compared to most of our older Florida State Parks except for O'Leno which is "The Dump" first class (both have potholed sites O'Leno is the worst). As Florida upgrades their parks, they will become an RVers dream.
I agree with my friend about Ft Desoto, I wnet twicw and regretted it both times. I would much rather stay in a Florida State Park.
JoeH wrote: Too bad that us Florida residents , whose taxes payed for aquisition of the parks, don't get a preference on reservations and have to fight thru reserveamerica with the rest, most times coming up short as non-residents take up all available sites 11 months in advance. Some counties in FL ( Pinellas,Sarasota for example ) give reservation preverence to thier residents allowing them to reserve before the non-residents. The state should do the same and allow state residents to reserve before opening the sites to non-Florida residents. Say, residents can reserve 11 months to 6 months in advance, then at 6 months, it opens up to everyone. I'd like to be recognized for my tax contributions and have a reasonable chance to get a site at a state park .... thoughts ????
NEWS FLASH
All you've got to do is make your reservations in early January...
(Just do it like us 'Vacationers' from other states.)
Example: I love 'Topsail Hill State Park' it's nearly always full.
I book early to have a reservation when I want it and on the site
I prefer. Reservations are easy in early January.
Now lets talk money...
Please consider that when the tourist from out of state come to Florida, we bring our billfolds.
We buy things and pay taxes.
We buy fuel that's considerably higher than at home.
We buy groceries in your stores. We frequent your restaurants
and buy drinks in your bars.
It's not like we were someones 'freeloading' kin, come to mooch.
Florida lives on the 'Tourist Dollar'.
Florida isn't the only state where the residents taxes help pay for it's State Parks.
It happens in every state.
Sorry for the Rant.
I live in FL, we make our reservations in advance, just like the snowbirds - whose funds keep those parks open!! Residents wouldn't keep them filled, unfortunately have to make those advance reservations, but you don't mention the discount to senior residents - that is priceless!! Safe travels.
but then there are some snowbirds that know how to SLIDE in to the whole winter months they have 2 accounts and will book a month at a time at 1 park and go out for a day and do another 2 weeks per each accout, i've seen it at sebastian inlet state park, kind of upset me , not going by the rules and then they tell you knowing i live here, the ones that do it KNOW WHO THEY ARE i would love to see them band from our parks, for finding a way to get around the rules, thats what our state needs to do, if their plate on their rig is the same for the second acccout they should be told to leave the park because they it not go by the rules.
We live very close to Honeymoon Island and go often. It is a beautiful park and I believe adding camping would be a great asset to the area. That being said I'll be surprised if it happens. It's been on the table several times and the people that live in the condos on the approach to the park, have a very organized, vocal group that does not want it. They show up to the meetings in droves and have won every time it's been proposed. Honeymoon is large enough and since the state owns it this relatively small group should not dictate what goes on there. Maybe this time will be different, would be a beautiful place to camp and enjoy the park.
Tina & Greg Cornell
2004 Georgie Boy Pursuit
2007 Chevy HHR
Trinity, FL
Nobody is forcing any of you snowbirds to come to Florida and pay high gas prices, taxes and spend money here. I'm sick of the same old argument it is getting very old. The state needs to adjust how reservations are made, giving Floridians first crack at reservations by allowing them 11 months out and out of staters 6. The system is being abused by snowbirds, I've heard from snowbirds who freely admit, they've used a married name to get a reservation, checked out gone to Walmart for supplies and come right back to the same place a few hours later using a maiden name for a new reservation. If it's too expensive here, I hear Texas and Arizona are nice in the winter.
2004 Trail Lite Bantam B23
2012 Ford F150 with ecoboost
Now lets talk money...
Please consider that when the tourist from out of state come to Florida, we bring our billfolds.
We buy things and pay taxes.
We buy fuel that's considerably higher than at home.
We buy groceries in your stores. We frequent your restaurants
and buy drinks in your bars.
It's not like we were someones 'freeloading' kin, come to mooch.
Florida lives on the 'Tourist Dollar'.
Florida isn't the only state where the residents taxes help pay for it's State Parks.
It happens in every state.
Sorry for the Rant.
Hey Dan... guess what, I buy things and pay taxes, buy fuel , go to restaurants several tinmes a week, etc.... but I do it 12 months a year .
With the extreme popularity of the state parks ( 22 million visitors a year) and limited campsites, I just feel that as a resident I should have a preference in getting a site.
As I stated, at least a couple of counties have figured out that the residents are key funding source and the are also the intended core target audience for establishing the parks and should have a preference in reservations. That by no means blocks out others, it just recognizes that we are already paying all year long for the parks, that the parks were put in place to provide public recreation for residents or for the preservation of natural beauty or historic association.
I figured my original comments would stir things up a bit , but none the less, I will pursue changes within the system... knowing how slowly the govt works sometimes, it will be a long battle, but one worth fighting to me.
Quote: The system is being abused by snowbirds, I've heard from snowbirds who freely admit, they've used a married name to get a reservation, checked out gone to Walmart for supplies and come right back to the same place a few hours later using a maiden name for a new reservation.
So why doesn't Florida have a rule that your RV can only be in state park for x amount of days. All that would take would be for the registration clerk to look at the tag and see if it had been in the park earlier.
Again, I have never stayed in a Florida state park, but IMHO those that want Floridians to have a six month advance registration period need a reality check. You might want to take a look at the numbers to see how much money we bring to Florida every year. If we stop coming, I can't image what Florida's unemployment and tax rate would be. I know I spend a bundle.
Offline
