FIFE Council "can't give any reassurances" that parking charges won't be introduced at Lochore Meadows Country Park but there are "no plans" to do so.
The Cowdenbeath area committee heard that the prospect of having to pay at the visitor attraction had become a "hot topic" for manager Andy McGrath and his staff.
Councillor Darren Watt said: "It was made public that we were discussing potential parking charges and it certainly wasn't something that was going to be forced upon everybody.
"It was an idea, a consultation, a discussion, but given the substantial increase in capital investment, could we collectively and categorically rule out any parking charges for Lochore Meadows going forward? For at least the next council term?"
The newly married Cllr Lea Crowe, nee McLelland, said: "I think it would be very difficult to say there will never ever be parking charges because this time next year half of us won't be sitting here.
"The management manage the park. If we're happy with that we can't then say 'You manage the park but never ever ask for a parking charge' because there are times when that might have to be for the longevity of the park.
"So you can't rule it out."
At the last six-monthly update on the Meedies, in November, council community manager Sarah Roxburgh had said they were looking to "scope up parking charges to support maintenance and staffing".
At the time, Labour councillor Linda Erskine had said: "I'm absolutely convinced that if we introduce parking charges there will be some kickback from people but this whole organisation does run on a shoestring and has done for a number of years.
"It cannot continue to improve if the council does not invest in it."
However, in February the council confirmed a budget allocation of £200,000 for further improvements at Lochore Meadows.
And this week, in response to Cllr Watt's request, Cllr Erskine said: "There is no item (on the agenda) to consider parking charges.
"I don't think anyone can rule out anything forever.
"I think things were taken out of context."
She added: "Having looked at the report and given the revenue and capital investment we got through the budget setting process this year, there is no need to consider any of these things.
"Cllr Crowe is right, there will be a change of administration so we can't give any reassurances, however there is no intention for this area committee to do that."
Mr McGrath, the park manager, admitted: "Parking charges has become a hot topic of late.
"There's not any plans in the future to implement parking charges in the park.
"I actually oppose them myself.
"The conversation came about at a workshop, I think some of you councillors attended, as we were looking at ways to bring revenue into the park to be reinvested in the park.
"That was a discussion we had but it was only a consideration for discussion. We certainly have no plans."
He told the committee that the country park, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, has "continued to strengthen its position as a key educational, recreational, environmental and community asset for Fife".
On the way this year are improvements to paths and signs, new water safety measures, native tree planting, cafe upgrades and investment in car parking and facilities for motor homes, as well as the extension to the mountain bike trails, with work due to start soon.
Committee convener, Cllr Alex Campbell, said: "For me the visitor experience just gets better and better.
"I understand last year there was more than a million visitors and I'm sure that will increase, especially with the new mountain bike trails.
"It's an amazing park that goes from strength to strength."
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