Why this South Jersey beach town made new law to create paid parking

One of the most polarizing topics in South Jersey is paid parking, and it is one of the most disliked elements of summertime at the Jersey Shore. The cost of parking varies across the Coastal Communities, and has been cited as a deterrent for some vacationers to certain Shore Towns.

Adding to that already volatile topic is the introduction of the ParkMobile App several years ago. While the platform is a cost-saving measure for many of the South Jersey Coastal Communities, many visitors to the Jersey Shore have complained about the functionality of the app.

The latest South Jersey community to adopt usage of the Park Mobile app is also bring paid parking to an area of the Jersey Shore that has not had required locals or visitors to pay for parking in year's past.

Why Is This Popular South Jersey Beach Suddenly Getting Paid Parking?

At the most recent Lower Township Council Meeting, the new ordinance was approved to establish a paid parking area, and make clear the deliniation of free parking areas within walking distance of the beach.

Diamond Beach is the unincorporated area that has a total area of approximately two-tenths of a square mile. If you are traveling south on Pacific Avenue in Wildwood Crest, once your cross Jefferson Avenue, you will be leaving "The Crest", and suddenly enter Lower Township jurisdiction.

Best known for popular resort destinations such as ICONA Diamond Beach, the small community at the southern tip of The Wildwoods offers visitors a more private feel, and offers vacationers a less busy area of the Jersey Shore to enjoy.

The reason that Lower Township is now making the decision to designate certain areas for paid parking is because of the latest chapter in the complicated beach situation. In recent years, beach replenishment and maintenance have become a polarizing political topic.

Both state and federal government officials have been debating over the last several years how much merit does funding beach replenishment at the Jersey Shore really have. While many South Jersey Shore Towns have depended on this federal government funding for beach replenishment in the offseason, Trenton and Washington, DC politicians have decided to make the South Jersey Seasonal economy a pawn in their petty debates.

As a result of this political joisting, both the private and public beaches just south of Wildwood Crest are going to become the responsibility of Lower Township for maintenance. As a result, Township Officials will be designating at least 160 spots for paid parking in cooperation with the Park Mobile App.

There is now a dominobeffect from the need for this paid parking to create revenue for Lower Townshp's beach maintenance. Some Diamond Beach property owners have painted curbs and installed signs to deter visitors from parking around their properties.

Lower Township Manager Michael Laffey and Mayor Frank Sippel have stated in publicly at Township Council Meetings along with statements to local media that they have already advised property owners they will be removing anything that illegally states that free parking is unavailable.

The plan is to model the paid parking versus free parking areas in the same model that neighboring Wildwood Crest does in order to decrease confusion for visitors. The paid parking spots will not impact or interfere with businesses in Diamond Beach like Harbor Light Golf And Ice Cream, ICONA Diamond Beach, or Crest Tavern.