Fort Desoto Park in St.Petersburg, and Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs are implementing a 5.00 per car entrance fee beginning January 3, 2012. I noticed they are installing a toll booth between the campgrounds area and the park office. 

Officials decided that Pinellas County will add $5 fees per car at Fort De Soto and Fred Howard parks when its next budget comes out this summer. Currently, there are no entrance fees to Fort De Soto, but visitors pay 85 cents in highway tolls. A $75 annual pass will be available, too. Annual parking passes are $75 or $55 for those over 65 and are available at the park office after January 3rd. or the Parks and Conservation Resources Office, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo.

The new fees are expected to net the county $2 million to stave off more cuts and improve maintenance in parks.

Pedestrians, bike riders and people with boat passes will be exempt.

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Starting Tuesday, visitors will have to pay $5 a day to park at nationally known Fort De Soto Park.

Pinellas County will charge motorists the $5 fee per vehicle when it opens the Tierra Verde park at 7 a.m. that day, parks director Paul Cozzie said.

Similar fees will begin Jan. 3 at Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs.

The parks are popular because of their world-renowned beaches. County officials decided to impose the fees to have more money for maintenance.

The start date coincides with equipment being set and avoids paying county employees overtime for the New Year's holiday.

The county will use a pay plaza near Fort DeSoto's entrance, so drivers will pay the state a highway toll, then pay the county at another gate to enter the park. Meters will be used at Fred Howard.

A similar fee at Sand Key Park in Clearwater has been in place for several months.

People who pay for camping or boat-trailer parking are exempt, as are bicyclists and pedestrians.

The county offers $75 annual passes instead of daily fees. For people age 65 and over, an annual pass costs $55. People who can document they receive public assistance will pay $37.50.

Friends of Fort DeSoto Park will offer passes for free if people volunteer to help maintain the park, Cozzie said.

Kiteboarding Tampa Bay will keep you posted on any new information regarding park fees at Fort Desoto Park.