Some Swain County residents are feeling like Great Smoky Mountains National Park has broken their promise, as they prepare to implement a parking fee. Several citizens spoke out against the fee Tuesday at a meeting with commissioners, reminding park officials that residents in the area saw their land taken by public domain for both Fontana Lake and the Department of Interior with the promise the park would always be open to visit at no charge. Park officials pointed out the park has over 12 million visitors a year and said the additional revenue is needed to maintain the Park’s infrastructure, WRGC’s Roy Burnette who attended the meeting reported..
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