PARK FINANCING 499 



(c) Properties other than money held in trust whose revenues are applied 

 to the operation and maintenance of parks. Several of the instances of requests 

 already cited involve properties of this character. Another interesting 

 example comes from Morgantown, West Virginia, where a public-spirited 

 citizen donated a tract of coal land valued at between one million and two 

 million dollars, the income from which is to be applied to the purchase of 

 parks and playgrounds, their improvement and operation. 



5. Revenues Derived from the Operation of Certain Types of Recreation Facilities. 



These revenues may arise under two forms: (a} Revenues from con- 

 cessions either in the form of a lump sum or a certain percentage of the 

 gross receipts resulting from the operation of the particular facility, the 

 operating of the facility being conducted by a concessionaire, subject to 

 general supervision of the park governing authority. (b) Revenues from 

 the operation of facilities directly by the park governing authority. The 

 practice of charging fees for the use of certain types of recreation facilities 

 arose partly because of the constantly rising tax rate, partly because of 

 inadequate public appropriations for public recreation, and partly because 

 of a growing feeling that it was only just that the patrons of a given facility 

 should pay for the operation and maintenance where the general public 

 had provided the capital outlay. In recent years there is a tendency, as 

 has already been noted, to extend the principle of charges to cover not only 

 the cost of operation maintenance but also the capital outlay costs. Just 

 how far this can be carried successfully remains to be demonstrated. 



There is another reason, which is largely psychological, for charging 

 fees for the use of a facility. People appear to have a much more direct 

 feeling of responsibility for and an interest in a given facility or activity if 

 they contribute directly something of monetary value than they do if the 

 facility or activity is open to their free use. 



Some of the public recreation facilities for the use of which fees are 

 charged throughout the country are: 



(a) Swimming facilities. Almost universally throughout the United 

 States, where the municipality furnishes bathing suits, towels and soap, a 

 fee is charged. In some instances an admission fee is charged whether the 

 visitor uses the swimming facilities or not. 



(b) Boats and canoes. In the very large majority of park and recrea- 

 tion systems, fees ranging from ten to fifty cents an hour are charged for 

 the use of water crafts. Fees are also charged for launch rides. 



(c) Skates, sleds, skiis. It is almost universal for a fee to be charged 

 for the temporary rental of winter sports equipment, where such equipment 

 is provided. 



MUNICIPAL REFERENCE BUREAU 



OCtrnAU Exnt.'EiOM civr' >n 



UNIVERSITY OF 



MINNEAPOLIS 



