By Daily Planet slaves
The cost of getting a fit in Santa Monica is going up. City officials approved a 25-cent fee for athletes wanting to run up or down any of the staircases in Santa Monica.
Starting next week, a city staffer will be stationed at the top and bottom of both staircases in the Santa Monica Canyon, as well as the stairs that run from Palisades Park to the beach. The 25-cent fee will be charged for each trip up and each trip down.
“It’s about time we found a way to charge those people,” said planning director Ursula Underfire. “They were getting all that exercise without paying a dime. This should send a clear message to all of you riding on the bike path and swimming in the ocean — nothing is free in this city. Nothing.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 1, 2004. Read the original PDF.