Grapevine - Rockledge Park now charging an entrance fee

[smdebnam]

Thought I would share...

The City of Grapevine will now be managing Rockledge Park at Grapevine Lake. They will now be assessing an entrance fee of $5 per vehicle, $1 per cyclist or $1 pedestrian.

Here's a link to the details.

[Sentinel Chicken]

Bit of a bummer but if it improves the facilities, I suppose that's a good thing. Took many great shots of the Chicklets there over the years, particularly when the water levels were down low a few years' back.

[Ronnie]

That's crazy...I'll just start my bike rides from Murrell Park.

[jkderby]

With the Gaylod, Great Wolf Lodge and the DFW airport, you think they would be collecting enough tax revenue so they would not have to charge. Or is there some other hidden reason.

[bondarnes]

Cool!

[ChuckW]

That is a nice park as far as location and scenery are concerned, but if they are going to charge $5 to get in there they had better improve the facilities a LOT!

[sandralemin]

They are charging because they can. Lots of things are going up for no good reason. I don't have a problem with it especially if they use the money for that area it's just that all of this nickle and dime stuff is getting pretty often.
sandra

[texkam]

How 'bout assessing DFW for each flyover?

[Supermanny]

Thanks for sharing Shelley.

[JohnT]

Sounds good to me. There is definitely room for improvement in that area, and if the fees will help...

[dminton]

This is BS.

This used to be one of the best places on Grapevine to catch Sandbass from the bank. First they started closing off the trails to be mountain bikers only, then they closed off the best part of Murrell Park, then this now. Letting the City of Grapevine run this place is not the best of ideas. You should see what they're letting happen about people getting muscled out of money at the boat ramps. It is BS.

[Sentinel Chicken]

I seem to remember a time when nearly all of the facilities on Grapevine Lake were free. And fun. It seemed to go downhill when they let that paintball operation set up shop on the south shore by the dam. That used to be a nice place to hang out with the family. For free.

[jkderby]

It just amounts to an extra tax !!!

[JohnT]

I don't see the problem IF improvements are made to the area, making it nicer for everyone to enjoy. Most of the areas around GL aren't as nice as they were when I was a kid, and we'd go out there almost every weekend during the summer.

[smdebnam]

Originally Posted by dminton

First they started closing off the trails to be mountain bikers only, then they closed off the best part of Murrell Park, then this now.

Was this a long time ago that the trail was closed off to mountain bikers only?

I personally don't ever know of a time in the last 10 years that the Northshore trail at Rockledge was ever closed to all but mountain bikers. As far as I know it's a multi use trail banning only motorized vehicles. I always see bikers, hikers, runners and families on the trails. I love to go out there and ride my mountain bike or hike with my dog.

The DORBA mountain bikers maintain the North Shore trail at Rockledge Park. I am thankful for the hours they volunteer to keep the trails useable, safe, and free of debris for all of us to use. (Safe can be subjective in some areas of that trail!) While they maintain it, they don't have sole use of it! Although there are some bikers who are more friendly than others and some who do think they own the trail. :)

I think the City could have done a better job of communicating the changes as I came across the information by accident. I don't normally take money with me when I go there as I know that in the past car break ins have been a problem there. So hopefully this new fee will not only provide better facilities but will provide additional security.

I also hope that the city changes the pricing on annual passess. Residents can buy an annual pass for $35 and non residents can pay $70. But anyone can buy a Texas State Parks pass for $60, valid at all Texas state parks. I just think $70 for a Grapevine Lake only park pass is a bit steep...