Your Dollars At Work

How Recreation Fee Dollars are Utilized

The National Park Service works "....to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." (NPS Organic Act 1916)

Protecting our natural and cultural heritage while ensuring that visitors have a safe, enjoyable, and educational experience is expensive. As the number of visitors to parks continues to climb due to the popularity of our national treasures, government funding available for necessities such as road and building repairs, campground maintenance, visitor protection, resource protection and other services has not kept pace with demand.

In 2004, to address these needs, Congress signed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) which enables the National Park Service to collect entrance fees. FLREA directs funds collected from park visitors towards the upkeep of the services and facilities they are utilizing. Here at Capitol Reef National Park, we are authorized to keep 100% of the fees collected in the park. That means when you pay an entrance fee or buy a park pass at the visitor center your money is being put to excellent use here at Capitol Reef. These funds have been and will continue to be used for maintenance, repair projects, public service programs, signage, and natural and historical resource preservation.

Some Recent and Upcoming Projects Supported by Fee Dollars

 

A young peach tree ready to be planted in the Guy Smith Orchard.

NPS/ G. Kann

Orchard Rehabilitation

Planting New Trees

As fruit trees naturally age and begin to decline over time, old trees need to be replaced with new ones. New trees are propagated from trees currently growing in our orchards to conserve heirloom fruit varieties that might otherwise be lost. We replant trees in the Guy Smith and Cook orchards. As these planted trees develop, visitors can continue to enjoy fresh fruit from the orchards in the Fruita Rural Historic District.

Soil Health

Capitol Reef orchards are managed using a balance of modern and historical methods. Consistent with this practice, our orchards are not managed using chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. However, the inputs pioneer communities relied on for nutrient deposits no longer exist. Over time, nutrients have leached from the soil and have not returned. Old and new trees alike have shown a clear pattern of stress in response to deficient levels of nutrients. Recreation dollars are being used to address critical soil maintenance needs. Staff are procuring and testing materials and applying manual applications of manure and fertilizers to the soil. Improved short-term and long-term nutrient conditions will help restore the integrity of the orchards for historic conservation and public enjoyment.

 

NPS/ G. Kann

Campsite Improvements

This past winter maintenance staff replaced existing wood curbing at campsites in Loop C of the Fruita Campground. This curbing created a trip hazard and the old wood was breaking, making a mess and creating an unsafe environment. The wood curbing was replaced with concrete curbing that is at the height of the paved surface and backfilled to reduce trip hazard. This curbing is also aesthetically consistent with the curbing in Loops A and B of the Fruita Campground.

 

Before and After of Curbing Improvements

 

NPS/ G. Kann

Amphitheater Astronomy Demonstration Site

As an International Dark Sky Park, visitors come from all over the world to experience Capitol Reef’s pristine night skies and attend astronomy programs. However there was not a safe or accessible location for visitors and rangers to discuss the night sky. A new demonstration site has been created to address this issue near the Fremont River Trail. The site creates wheelchair access and comfortable seating so all visitors can safely attend programs.

 

Rangers give daily programs throughout the Fruita area.

NPS/ G. Kann

Seasonal Ranger Staff

Each year additional staff are hired for the busy season. From May through October, these rangers staff the visitor center, provide free public programs, and assist visitors with trip planning. When you visit the park, chances are that you will interact with one or more of the seasonal park rangers.