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San Francisco Botanical Gardens May Soon Be Free For All

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)- San Francisco Supervisors may lift the new $7 non-resident fee for the Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park.

KCBS' Barbara Taylor Reports:

The Recreation and Park Department's non-resident fee at the popular Botanical Gardens was highly controversial when it was enacted six months ago, and supervisor John Avalos vowed to get rid of it if voters approved new taxes. That happened last November, when a new property transfer tax was adopted, and on Tuesday Avalos sought to make good on his promise.

"We've been looking at fees over and over, and nickel and diming San Franciscans in the process," said Avalos.

Avalos' proposal got a big thumbs up from Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi.

"I quite agree with you that the constant nickel and diming has been death by 1,000 cuts," said Mirkarimi.

The new transfer tax revenue is estimated at $30 million this year, while revenue from the $7 admission fee is only about $250,000.

The fee has to be renewed annually, but if Avalos is successful that won't be happening.

"How wonderful it would be to be able to eliminate a fee," said Avalos.

The gardens will continue to be free for San Francisco residents.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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