We have received a report from a resident who lives at the far- western end of Mt. Hermon Way. This location is close to Asbury Park–it is near the Windmill and Wesley Lake.
That part of Mt. Hermon usually has ample parking for those who live there—a fairly remote part of the Grove.
Recently the residents have noted a group of cars parking there repeatedly. One guy is there every day, gets aboard his skateboard, and heads to Asbury.
The resident asked him about it, and he said that her location is the “parking lot” for the staff of Mogo, a Korean fast food place on Cookman Ave, near the physical fitness store.
The residents in that neighborhood feel helpless as our North End continues to be the “go to ” place for Asbury commercial parking—convenient and free.
AL JOLSON
Fill Wesley Lake and make a parking lot – it will be an improvement over the current situation. Parking lot to be at current water level so we can leave and still use the walking bridges. AP workers park for free – all others pay the usual fee. Paint the lot blue instead of black to simulate a nice water way. Add wheels and electric motors to the swan boats and let them stay too.
Issue seasonal permits to legal residents, Make resident only parking on the one way streets. Time limited parking along the boardwalk and the commercial area. Hotel and B and B visitors will receive temporary parking permits limited to the length of stay. Anyone with a curb cut and driveway needs to use them as intended, not as patios. (By the way, why do we park on a ‘driveway’ and drive on a ‘parkway’?)
Excellent—Thanks Rosemary.. —-Paul ps Now we have to get the attention of the Committee even though they would prefer to ignore us. But don’t say the M word to them, because they foolishly continue to refuse the idea of meters. The last time I brought that up with our current Mayor Mary Beth, she refused to even talk about it.
I think one parking pass per real estate parcel (issued to the taxpayer of record of that parcel) would be a start; the pass could be a hang tag similar to the the handicap parking pass that NJ issues to be hung on the rear view mirror. One side of the street would be reserved for vehicles with parking passes during the summer months. Parking passes to be reissued annually and not associated with any particular vehicle.
Owners with renters can provide the pass to their tenants at their discretion, or provide it to household guests.
There is likely no way to prevent people from parking in Ocean Grove and walking to destinations in adjoining towns— a problem for OG residents in the north and south ends of town and those living on streets by the foot bridges. People will continue this practice as long as OG is not metered and adjoining towns are.
This Committee is not representing the people of Ocean Grove. Most of them almost never even come to town except to march in parades. Look at what’s going on with the North End. Right or wrong, some of them should be coming into the Grove to chat with citizens about that worrisome situation which will affect all of us, and not necessarily for the good. Not one of them has shown up to schedule a town-hall meeting to explain to the citizens what the heck is the truth. At the last meeting at the Municipal Building, almost the entire session was spent responding to a large crowd from Shark River regarding dredging.
As for parking, they despise that topic and ignore the complaints coming from OG. Is that how representative government works? —-Paul @Blogfinger
We taxpayers/homeowners cannot accept this any longer. Its time to “vote out of office” the full Township Committee.
Hi Paul.
I’ve met tons of employees in AP who use OG as their parking lot. The Lush employees have readily admited they park in OG and walk to AP to their job. It’s not just MOGO.
Five years ago the Homeowners had a committee studying the parking situation. Its deliberations considered:
1. All major organizations and agencies (i.e.,Township Committee, Camp Meeting, Chamber of Commerce, etc.) had to be involved in planning and implementation.
2. Reversal of curb-cut prohibitions to relieve single-family homes.
3. Alternative parking and ticket purchasing sites for daily beach guests and Auditorium attendees. (First drop off participants at beach and Auditorium; return to parking site for individual shuttle service.)
4. Creation of a multi-level garage to primarily service all hotel and b&b guests as well as tenters with maximum shuttle service to ultimate destination.
5. Tenters would have convenient time-limited drop-off points for furnishings, luggage, and daily groceries.
Unfortunately the committee didn’t continue its efforts.
This is just an idea at the present time. If the township were willing to consider this idea, then further discussions could be held regarding details.
Would permits be issued for a specific parking spot, i.e. in front or near the residence? What about homeowners with driveway flares? Would they be not eligible for a permit? Where would contractors and service people park if it was all permit parking? What about B&B’s? Would they be allowed permits based on the number of rooms they rent? On my own street, there are approximately 35 residences and parked very tight, only enough street parking for 30 cars. How would that be handled? I’m sure mine is not the only street with similar density. Lots of questions and I’m afraid no good solutions.
The temporary pass was for tenants. Also for guests of Homeowners
What about Asbury Park issuing free pass parking stickers to all the employees at the various restaurants and businesses there. There would still be plenty of paid parking for the patrons of those establishments
CMA should develop a lot for the Tent population. We have two cars and would require two. Home owners should get a temporary pass for them.
Sue: All of us who live here understand the economics of tourism and we would not want to lose you as a friend and visitor in the Grove. Actually, permits would not lessen the total number of available parking spaces, but it would simply reserve some spots for permit holders. Those residents would have to park somewhere anyhow, but this way they get a convenience break as homeowners. Paul, editor @Blogfinger
I think one sticker per house (only because don’t think there is enough available parking if you issue 2 per house and allow sticker-only parking on just one side of the street). At this point something new has to be tried.
As a summer renter and a frequent day tripper to the Grove, I would not be able to get a parking permit because I do not own property here. But if permits were required to park, and I risked getting a parking violation every time I visited, I would probably visit much less.
I think others like me would feel the same. I may not pay taxes in Ocean Grove, but I DO pay for beach passes, meals and shop on Main St. Is the town that solvent that it can afford to lose the money I spend plus the revenue generated by others like me?
I agree there is a lack of parking, but resident permits for a town that relies heavily on income from visitors and summer rentals…. I don’t know if that is the answer.
New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the US, so everybody pays the very highest property taxes, including Mogo in Asbury Park.
As for OG parking permits, I’ve expressed reservations previously, but I’ve now come to the conclusion that the only way to prove that it’s a good idea or a bad idea is to go ahead and pass an ordinance, and then see if the law of unintended consequences applies (as I suspect it will).
Paul, maybe they could also do alternate side of the street parking once a week to get the cars taking up two spots for weeks to move.
I would be willing to go with one sticker, just to be able to move one car on the weekend!
I doubt if the CMA would be in favor of a permit system; it would affect the tenters, services and the Auditorium shows.
Doug. I agree that resident stickers are the way to go. That way, if someone is out of town for a few days, other Grovers will be using those sticker parking zones. Something needs to be done for relief for taxpayers. This will not impact the total amount of parking spaces in the Grove, but it will make life somewhat easier for Grovers. Even one sticker per house would be appreciated.
The fact that there are only a few months per year where this parking spaces are at a premium, should not prevent the Township from helping us, because it will be helpful to some extent all year, as it will provide some spaces near where people live. –Paul
I am in favor of resident stickers (Two per house?) Not placards that can be moved from car to car. The Township can charge whatever it costs to administer them. They will make lots of money off of violators.
Require a sticker on the car to park on the North or West side of the street during the summer. I don’t think closing the bridges is going to help a lot though.
The issue won’t be solved by simply locking the foot bridges earlier. Plenty of Grovers use them all the time. Residential permits can go much further towards solving the issue and the time has come to implement them. Ignoring it, Neptune SOP, won’t make it go away.
I have placed comments on FB. I hope you print it. We are fed up with this
This happens here on Mt Carmel Way/Asbury Ave. all day long. We have to get residential parking.
We pay high taxes and get little for it. We should ask that the bridges close at 10 pm vs midnight. It’s gotten to the point that I don’t move my car on weekends and make sure I park before 4:30 as workers in AP take our spaces.