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Yorktown Beach could soon cost visitors 

Posted at 12:35 PM, Aug 03, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-03 17:53:23-04

YORKTOWN, Va. - Fun in the sun at the beach could soon cost you.

At their July 18th meeting, York County Supervisor Walter Zaremba suggested the board of supervisors and the county administrator looking into charging a fee to access the Yorktown Beach.

“It’s very costly to the county," Supervisor Walter Zaremba said. "I think we need to take a look at, if it will make sense, to start charging a nominal fee, so that the cost associated with maintaining that beach down there is met by the user.”

Zaremba also mentioned most times beachgoers fail to shop at the nearby stores and restaurants.

Instead, he told News 3 they use the parking garage - meant for shopping customers - to stay at the beach all day.

Other supervisors News 3 spoke with oppose the idea because the beach is meant for everyone.

They said charging a fee would run people off and hurt tourism.

Beachgoers have mixed reaction to the suggestions.

"It might be a welcomed changed depending on circumstances but it`s a big change, a very big change," Michael McGninnis, who has come to the beach all his life, said.

“With charging, I’m not a big fan of it," Sydney Marshall explained.  "You have people coming from out of state visiting here, why are they gonna pay extra money?"

Some people say they would likely drive to a nearby beach that doesn't have a cost.

Zaremba said discussions are still in the early stages like, like how much the fee will cost.

He hopes to talk about the idea at the board's August meeting.