Dear Editor,
I’m just wondering if there are any other parents besides me that are annoyed by the increasing demand for organizations demanding a monetary amount to gain admittance to City of Richmond events that were assumed “free” and already covered by taxpayers.
I have raised two children on my own in Richmond and work full-time. Over the years, while watching them develop, I have always strived to attend events in our city that included the Richmond Nature Park as I always found it important for them to understand and respect our wildlife and environment.
Attending these city events were free (thanks to taxpayers) and I was not forced to give money at any time to attend.
The last fossil show that I tried to take my children to was an unpleasant experience and somewhat embarrassing. At the door there was a large donation box and I was told in order for us to enter, we had to donate money.
To demand money to enter would be classified as admission and this is not a fair deal to many families who can’t afford to donate.
If there is an expense to put on a show, call it admission and let families be aware ahead of time. I remember one year for Open Doors, there was a location that demanded a “donation” before the public could visit displays and there was outrage that a City or Richmond event would allow this to happen.
I ask that the Richmond Nature Park would discontinue the practice of demanding a donation to get in the door to see a supposedly taxpayer-funded event.
This would allow many families that are struggling financially to be able to attend future events without the same embarrassment that my family endured.
Sarah Dyson
Richmond
