Community members are voicing strong opposition to a proposed $5 parking fee at Miami-Dade County parks, including Tropical Park, as officials work to close a $402 million budget deficit .
The fee is one of several ideas in the proposed budget aimed at generating new revenue. But for frequent park visitors, the plan has struck a nerve.
Parkgoers say fee would hurt access
"I am not in agreement with charging fees for the entrance to the park for the admission to parking," said Ozzy Ozon, a baseball coach at Tropical Park.
Daniel Bui, who plays tennis and softball there weekly, said the fee could keep some families away. "I think the park has typically been a place where families can go throughout different economic backgrounds. I think just putting a five-dollar parking per day [wou