Higher Park Fees In Suffolk County Take Effect Jan. 1

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The cost of playing golf, going to the beach and hunting is going up in Suffolk County, where the Legislature has agreed to hike park fees some 10 percent across the board.

The new higher fees take effect Jan. 1, WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported.

Legislators and County Executive Steve Bellone say the fee hikes are needed to help balance the budget.

Many residents, however, call the fees another hidden tax on the working class.

"I mean, the parks are fun things for people," one man said. "That's the nice thing. Don't take away the nice things."

"They've got to figure out a different way to make up that money instead of tapping into our pockets," said beach lover Carlos Martinez.

"I think they have to figure out a different way to do it because salaries aren't changing that much, cost of living is getting higher and higher," said Ray Mendez.