Jacksonville Beach Charging to Park this Weekend

hanjin1 · June 30, 2009, 09:43:11 AM

How about no dollars?

CrysG · June 30, 2009, 09:59:57 AM

I think it's poor timing it seems like another price gouge for tax payer money. People are having to cut back on their spending and not go out as much. Going to the beach is a great inexpensive way to spend a weekend.

To put things in perspective....it cost $12 to park at Disney and only $7 for St. Johns County beach access.

Ocklawaha · June 30, 2009, 10:29:31 AM

Quote from: tufsu1 on June 30, 2009, 09:10:09 AM
Ock...maybe you need to go down to Jax. Beach on the weekend and check out the crowds before commenting that we only have 2 visitors....I know people who won't go over ther afer say 9:00pm because of the "unruly teenagers".

It is becoming similar to the problem Tampa had when trying to attract more upscale consumers to Ybor City.

I currently live not 5 minutes from the surf, I've yet to have an unruly teen bother myself or my family. My sarcastic point was, when it comes to play time, we don't seem to have a clue how to attract the huge crowds the rest of Florida sells so well. If I could think of a single reason to go to Jacksonville Beach rather then Daytona, Fernandina, Flagler, New Smyrna or Cedar Key, I'd support the fee, but face it folks, this is a "Live - Work - ____________ City... Play is not in our vocabulary.

OCKLAWAHA

cline · June 30, 2009, 10:57:27 AM

QuoteMy sarcastic point was, when it comes to play time, we don't seem to have a clue how to attract the huge crowds the rest of Florida sells so well.

Have you ever been to Jax Beach during one of their festivals such as Springing the Blues? Its packed. Fourth of July is always packed too. It will be packed again this year even with the parking fee. So evidently, Jax Beach does know how to attract crowds.

And for me, I'd go to JB long before I went to Daytona.

mtraininjax · June 30, 2009, 11:01:08 AM

Quote$7 for St. Johns County beach access

Why again do people "need" to park a vehicle on the beach?

blizz01 · June 30, 2009, 11:09:33 AM

Probably not a "need", but the argument would include nostalgia, convenience, security, 4x4 fun & profit $ for pulling out the "stuckies", lack of surface parking, and now - it's more cost-effective, apparently. Please don't bombard me with the environmental studies as conservative wisdom tells me that it can't be a positive thing.

mtraininjax · June 30, 2009, 11:15:56 AM

QuotePlease don't bombard me with the environmental studies as conservative wisdom tells me that it can't be a positive thing.

Wouldn't think of it. But I am sure OCK would like to add light rail on the beach, as we need rail anywhere and everywhere we can get it.

CrysG · June 30, 2009, 02:30:17 PM

Quote from: mtraininjax on June 30, 2009, 11:01:08 AM
Quote$7 for St. Johns County beach access

Why again do people "need" to park a vehicle on the beach?

That fee is to get onto the beach. It's free to park....which makes it the same thing as being $10 to park but free to get onto the beach.

tufsu1 · June 30, 2009, 07:58:19 PM

Quote from: CrysG on June 30, 2009, 09:59:57 AM
To put things in perspective....it cost $12 to park at Disney and only $7 for St. Johns County beach access.

ok...but nobody just parks at Disney...they also pay $70+ to get into the theme park(s)

urbanlibertarian · June 30, 2009, 08:34:08 PM

Do the interlocal agreements between COJ and the beaches cities speak to parking fees like this which have the indirect effect of limiting public access to the beaches?

avonjax · June 30, 2009, 10:43:41 PM

Quote from: mtraininjax on June 30, 2009, 08:48:17 AM
Who paid $10 yet? Anyone? Then why raise hell about it? Just park on the street, or take the trolley, if its operational. Or, you could have to walk an extra block. But so what, there are miles of beach access. Go find another.

You are refreshingly witty!!!!!

Ocklawaha · June 30, 2009, 11:24:54 PM

Actually MTrain, the beaches are perfectly suited to streetcar, modern Streetcar or LRT Transit. Any city that is a half mile wide and 10 miles long is a natural, if the density is there. On Florida's east coast, the Mayport-Atlantic-Neptune-Jacksonville Beach-Ponte Vedra strip is tailor made. I would suggest LRT construction (for future Jacksonville LRT linking) with streetcar equipment (for immediate savings and economic benefits) and medians, side of road and other minimum mixed traffic running. The only other city that comes to mind as an instant candidate for streetcar would be the Ormond Beach - Daytona Beach - Port Orange/Ponce Inlet.

OCKLAWAHA

copperfiend · July 01, 2009, 07:40:13 AM

Quote from: mtraininjax on June 30, 2009, 11:01:08 AM
Quote$7 for St. Johns County beach access

Why again do people "need" to park a vehicle on the beach?

Because it's fun. You don't have to park and lug all of your stuff to the beach. You can pack a cooler and some chairs, park and have a good time. It's a beachside tailgate party.

mtraininjax · July 01, 2009, 07:44:40 AM

Quoteok...but nobody just parks at Disney...they also pay $70+ to get into the theme park(s)

Do we really want to compare Disney, Six Flags, Sea World.....to the beach experience? I go to Disney when my nieces and nephews want to stress the heck out of me. I go to the beach to relax and watch the sun wear them out.

OC - The beaches trolley is just fine for now, thanks. DB has all sorts of issues this year, runouts, sharks, no thanks, I like it here.

cline · July 01, 2009, 07:55:50 AM

QuoteOC - The beaches trolley is just fine for now, thanks.

Agreed. Let's work on getting a downtown-riverside streetcar route first.