Even the British like to park in Ocean Grove, and cool cars attract even more crowding. Paul Goldfinger photo. Too bad she got in my way. ©
Editor’s note: Phillip Orton, Ph.D., a new addition to the pantheon of Grovers, has made some recent comments regarding our piece about the lawsuit at #50 Main Avenue. Along the way he became interested in the subject of parking in the Grove, especially as it relates to the North End, so we are handing the podium to him for a guest editorial:
I should have made it clearer earlier — I am not talking specifically about the case in this post, which is one of law. I’m talking about the broader parking/development issues for Ocean Grove, here.
New developments, or not, Ocean Grove will be saddled with a huge parking problem in summer and especially when there are special events. Has there been much brainstorming about broad solutions to this problem? I presume so, but if so then I’m late to the conversation.
As you and I once discussed, if a North End development goes in with ample parking, there may be traffic problems as it’s a corner of town with poor access. So the solution at North End may not be more parking. And this leads to your very reasonable suggestion that we must have “one unit per lot” instead.
But I think there are many people like me, who would rather see something more reflective of the historical character of the North End area — a hotel, shops, and a bathhouse which were on that site.
Here are some ideas that might make a difference for the parking problem —
Parking permits and special curbside parking spots (with signs) that are only for residents, perhaps one per house, just to make sure everyone has at least one option.
Perhaps during summer and events, there could be parking provided elsewhere in Neptune, and shuttles every 10 minutes (just circling). Seems tough and not like a popular idea, but it might be seen as a better alternative than circling for an hour looking for a spot.
Perhaps there could be some kind of high-profile shuttle to and from the Asbury Park train station, looping to the beach and back. Tiki bar in the back … okay maybe not!
I personally anticipate that the region (Asbury, first) will slowly join the trend that many other medium-density towns in the US are already seeing — a slow movement toward reduced car ownership. Things like car sharing are coming. Uber is already here, and a way for people like me to occasionally do things I can’t do by bike/foot.
A modest investment in the existing rail corridor could greatly improve movement north-south along the shore and bring a lot of excitement and investment in transit-oriented development. I could go on and on …
I have lived and worked in places that are already doing this, for nearly 20 years (Portland, Hoboken). There are many people who want walkable towns and transit-oriented development, and are ready to own 0 or 1 car per housing unit.
This would be a great thing for Ocean Grove, a town of small lots and no driveways that was built before cars, largely around walking and train transportation.
New development could occur, yet parking availability could be improved, if diverse and creative minds get together to problem-solve and come up with some big ideas to take advantage of these trends.
PAUL EVANS:
Thanks for making my comment a post, Paul.
Great ideas! Having discounted beach badges for train-users is a really good one, perhaps one Neptune could subsidize (e.g. if there is a North End development) or New Jersey should consider subsidizing from the state level, for all beach towns accessible by transit.
I think that the parking permit idea and shuttle ideas are things we can also be armed with if Neptune and developers want to move forward with a large development at North End – instead of just resist-at-all-costs, we have the option of going in with negotiating positions. Some smart new ideas like these could actually improve homeowner parking across OG.
Phillip Orton, I have contacted the Neptune Township Committee on several occasions over many different administrations and years. They have ignored addressing resident parking in Ocean Grove and also have not put forth any initiative to represent residents parking needs.
Until residents rise up to force the issue on to the table and wrestled with to fruition/resolution, Ocean Grove will not be represented.
Below is a suggestion rejected by the Committee when I presented it December 6, 2014.
“These parking laws would only be in effect summer months in Ocean Grove . Residents be given parking permits displayed on their vehicles one permit per resident address and all B & B residents included.
Allowing “residents only parking”, giving residents a chance to park their vehicles on the west and north sides of the streets between 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm Monday through Friday. (Once residents have parked there they can stay there as long as they wish, and residents can park on either side of the street anytime too)
Non residents would have to move their vehicles before 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm allowing residents a chance to park at least two hours out of day Monday thru Friday, summer months. All other hours of the day and Saturday and Sunday would be free game to everyone parking where ever they want.
Main Ave. business district and Ocean Ave would be excluded from this parking ordinance, and parking there would remain the same as it is now.”
Paul – I like where you’re going and agree that something has to be done about the parking. Some thoughts:
1) We’ll never get resident only parking. That requires special approval from the State. The problem is that we accept significant State (and possibly Federal) funds to promote tourism. The State won’t allow you to get $ for tourism, and then prevent/restrict tourists from parking.
2) By my unscientific survey there are more than 37 homes on the first beach block that have driveways, yet many of these homes park on the street. Neptune should have an ordinance requiring anyone with a driveway to park at least 1 car in that driveway before parking a car on the street. During the summer this could even be 2 cars in a driveway before parking on the street. An ordinance such as this would add 37 new spots for absolutely no cost (that’s about 90% of the cars in the south end lot).
3) Offer people who come to OG via mass transit a discount on the beach badge. This would be a nice perk that would drive tourism, and reduce the parking needs