I don't think anyone has criminal intentions, as some commenters seem to suggest. It's certainly understandable that chronically underfunded GSMNP would seek new revenue sources. I think they picked a bad option and have been quite bumbling in pursuing it, but none of that is criminal.
I would be fine with charging a fee for horses since they do such much damage to trails, especially when the ground is saturated. Footing is far less stable on trails where horses are allowed than on footpaths.
I would also be fine with charging people to drive the Cades Cove loop, especially if the option of free buses were available. I would even consider manned toll booths in a strategic spot or two where people could either make donation or say, "Sorry, not today" and drive on.
There are better options for boosting Park revenues.
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Rikki writes:
I don't think anyone has criminal intentions, as some commenters seem to suggest. It's certainly understandable that chronically underfunded GSMNP would seek new revenue sources. I think they picked a bad option and have been quite bumbling in pursuing it, but none of that is criminal.
I would be fine with charging a fee for horses since they do such much damage to trails, especially when the ground is saturated. Footing is far less stable on trails where horses are allowed than on footpaths.
I would also be fine with charging people to drive the Cades Cove loop, especially if the option of free buses were available. I would even consider manned toll booths in a strategic spot or two where people could either make donation or say, "Sorry, not today" and drive on.
There are better options for boosting Park revenues.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.