Monroe County: Harry Harris Park Fees Waived for Military and Disabled Veterans

Section 125.029 requires a county park department to discount park entrance fees for current service members, every honorably discharged veteran, veterans with a service-connected disability, and the surviving spouses and parents of members killed in combat; see the Florida entry. The Code. Section 18-27(h) of the Monroe County Code charges admission at Harry Harris Park (50 Beach Road, Tavernier, mile marker 92.5) to non-Monroe County residents only: $15 a vehicle, plus a boat ramp fee of $40 on non-holiday weekends and $60 on holiday weekends and the two-day July lobster mini-season. "Park admission fees are waived for active-duty military members, disabled veterans, and their immediate family members, i.e. surviving spouse, child, or parents, and other individuals as identified in F.S. 125.029 (with proper I.D. provided)." Residents pay nothing; the county's eight boat ramps are all free to Monroe County residents. What that covers. The park's own page names only "Active Military, Disabled Veterans & Immediate Family" on the vehicle fee. By the Code's reference to section 125.029, an honorably discharged veteran without a disability rating is waived too: show the DD-214 or a veteran ID. The waiver is of admission; the $40 and $60 ramp fees are not waived, and section 125.029 excludes boat launching from entrance fees. What is changing. On July 15, 2026 the Board approved advertising an ordinance that would move the fees into a resolution and add paid parking ($5 an hour for two hours, then $2), trailer parking ($40 a day, $60 on holiday weekends) and a $10 launch fee at Harry Harris Park for non-exempt users, collected by app and plate cameras; the Board's October 21, 2026 agenda carries a parking agreement with Premium Parking Services. The draft keeps the admission waiver and exempts residents and property owners, and says "Active-duty military members and disabled veterans (with proper I.D. provided) may also register with the County or its designated parking enforcement specialist to receive the benefit of this exemption". Until the ordinance is adopted, the fees above apply.