KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In February, Ijams Nature Center implemented a new parking policy requiring visitors who are not members to pay $5. New signs were placed in the parking lot explaining how people can pay for parking — by scanning a QR code and paying online.
Or, people become members of Ijams Nature Center. Membership levels start at $6.25 per month and can park for free. People can also purchase a $50 annual parking pass and households with incomes at or below 133% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines can purchase an "access for all" tier for $10.
Amber Parker, the president of Ijams, said the parking policy change helped drive a large increase in the number of memberships the nature center has sold.
"New memberships in January were over 400% higher than they have been in the past. And in February, new memberships are 3,300% higher than the average of all the years in the past, which means that people are hearing the message that this is a nonprofit and that we need support from everybody who uses Ijams," she said.
Leaders at Ijams also said they expect to see even more visitors, and support, during the nature center's busiest months — June and July.