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:
