New York now requires residents to purchase a $35 permit to view the night sky from its public parks. The license allows “after sunset parking for stargazing only.” If you live out of New York and want to admire the constellations from a state park, the fee is $60.

The New York Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation website states:

STARGAZING PERMIT Requirements: Fee of $35.00, $60-Out of State – Vehicle Registration and Driver’s License Required Permit allows after sunset parking for stargazing only, valid January 1 - December 31 at:

Free Thought Project reported the story, and noted that some people are okay with the new license fee since it allows people to enter the closed parks after hours. For those who can’t afford the fee, they are out of luck.

These public parks are paid for with taxpayer money. This is New York, the same state that doesn’t require an identification to vote, but now requires citizens to fork over $60, vehicle registration, and a drivers license to stargaze.

What will they come up with next?