Plan To Raise Parks Department Fees Draws Concern

New Yorkers may feel a greater pinch this summer when fees at  New York City Parks Department facilities go up.

The city's planning to hike fees for recreation center memberships, including for senior citizens, as well as for sports field permits as of July 1st.

Juliana Dubovsky with New Yorkers for Parks testified at a public hearing in Manhatan today.  She said the changes may hurt the city's anti-obesity campaigns. Dubovsky said "if they increase these prices, considering the economic difficulties a lot of New Yorkers are facing, it may curtail the usage growth we've been seeing so far.

Fees for recreation center memberships are set to rise by $50 for adults and $15 for senior citizens. The city Parks Department says although these are tough decisions, the overall increases are marginal.