June 21. Mecklenburg County Commissioners have eliminated the weekend entrance fees at Jetton Park. The unanimous vote followed a brief discussion with the head of the county parks system, James Garges, who said the only other park which had entrance fees was McDowell Park, but they had been eliminated about eight years ago.

Ramsey Creek Park in Cornelius charges fees but only for the use of the boat ramp or the beach. Moreover there is no fee for people who use the shuttle bus to access the beach. Commissioner Jim Puckett said some local residents had been told they have to pay just to get in and Garges said he will contact the workers to be sure they are clear on the policy.

Commissioner Pat Cotham said she has had calls from people who live a few blocks away from Ramsey Creek Park who only want to visit for “some quiet time to think or read,” and shouldn’t have to pay to drive into the park. They can—if they use the dog park.

Garges said this: “We are only charging fees to enter the park during the months the beach is open. We are not charging individuals who walk into the park and we don’t charge Individuals who drive into the park to use the dog park. However, if you drive in and are not using the dog park you will need to pay.”

He said the walk-in no fee was established to help adjacent neighborhoods to use the park as they had in the past. “We have not had any complaints about our fees or entrance polices,” he said.

Overcrowding at Ramsey Creek Park, where the new county beach is located, will likely be alleviated by eliminating the entrance fee at Jetton Park. With or without fees at Jetton, there are no plans right now to open any of the Jetton Park beaches to public swimming.