The Region : 1,700 Trail Permits Sold
About 1,700 county trail permits have been sold since Jan. 1, generating $35,700 to maintain 330 miles of trails used by hikers, cyclists and equestrians.
The fee generated cries of protest from trail users after it was implemented by the budget-strapped county. The Parks and Recreation Department hopes the $23 annual fee will raise $150,000 each year. The county gets to keep $21 of each fee; $2 goes to the vendor.
After a January grace period, hikers, bikers, joggers and horseback riders using the trails were required to have a permit or face a $54 fine. Sales were slow during the rainy months.
A $6 three-day pass that was offered starting March 15 also is expected to boost income for the trails, Parks and Recreation Department spokesman Tony Yakimowich said.
The revenue is to be used only to maintain the trails, which in the San Gabriel Valley stretch from the San Gabriel Mountains to the Puente Hills.
The trails emanate from a series of nature centers and parks such as Eaton Canyon in Pasadena, Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas and Schabarum Regional Park in Rowland Heights. Permits are not needed for the Angeles National Forest. However, county trails that lead into the forest do require passes.
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