Ponte Vedra Beach Parking Pilot Program Off To Slow Start, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

A while ago, I posted a blog about the popularity of our sole Ponte Vedra Beach free parking public beach access, Mickler's Landing.

Yes, the same Mickler's Landing I visited yesterday morning for my sprint triathlon.

The long debated argument about public access to Ponte Vedra Beaches, Mickler's Landing has a nice walkover, bathrooms, showers to rinse off, trash and recycling.

And, only 248 parking spots.

When those 248 spots are gone, which is about 11am on Sunday 7/3/11, beachgoers park along the side of Mickler's Road, and around other areas, some more legal than others.

Hence, a Plan B was prescribed: have beachgoers park in the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall at 1050 Florida A1A N, then be shuttled to the beach via van. The shuttle would be every 30 mintues on the hour to the beach, and every 30 minutes from the beach on the half hour, running from 10a-4:30pm.

So, last weekend was the second weekend they ran the pilot program, and.....two families took advantage of it. This leads me to believe there is not enough knowledge of the program, which will lead to the inevitable conclusion that this service (which is free now, but may require a nominal charge in the future to sustain) is not necessary.

If you live in Ponte Vedra, and are parking at Mickler's, or TRYING to park at Mickler's, please utilize this program either this weekend or next weekend, which is when the trial ends.