Mayor wants fee for park eliminated

Pinecrest’s new mayor attempted to fulfill one of his campaign promises this week when he proposed eliminating Pinecrest Gardens’ admission fee.

Mayor Gary Matzner argued that the admission fee curtails park usage because residents can go to nearby Pinecrest Park for free. Entrance to Pinecrest Gardens, the former Parrot Jungle property, is $5 for adults, $3 for children younger than 12 and $4 for seniors.

“Lately, I’ve spent many beautiful days at the Gardens where the only people in the park were me and my son,” Matzner said. “The Gardens are a hidden treasure and I hate to see it go to waste. Basically, the entrance fee is a barrier to entry for the community.”

The Village Council asked the staff to evaluate the effect of eliminating the fee, and will take up the issue at its meeting Dec. 9.