The Washington Post had an article this last weekend that is worth reading, "Audit Finds Exclusive Clubs 'Monopolize' Public Parkland". In a nutshell, an Interior Department audit found that the Park Service has allowed members-only clubs to inappropriately operate on the public's property. These clubs, says the audit, "have enjoyed exclusive rights to public lands through restrictive and costly memberships that deny the general public the same benefits. In some instances, the National Park Service has authorized this exclusivity for 30 or more years."
Describing these exclusive memberships as costly is quite accurate. To be a member at the Breezy Point Surf Club, a family of four would have to pay $1500 for a seasonal membership, PLUS, an additional $3000+ for a typical cabana! If the price tag and exclusivity sound like your cup of tea, make your way down to the club office found inside the Gateway National Recreation Area. Last year, visitation at the Gateway NRA was counted at over 8 million, making it the number 4 most visited site in the whole park system for 2006. For those looking for a little peace and quite, maybe $5 thousand seems like a good deal. I am just amazed to learn that this club operates on public property! I'd love to show up at the security gate with my America The Beautiful Pass to tell the guard I'm just going to do a couple laps around the Olympic size swimming pool. I'm sure that would go over real well.
Read entire article..
5 years ago
