JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
The Maple View Public Use Area is to begin implementing paid public parking this year, as New Hope Mayor Billy Frame announced during the community’s March city meeting.
According to Frame, the city board has been in talks to figuring out on how to make revenue to cover yearly costs for maintaining the property. One of the ideas presented was to implement paid parking within the parking lot, each parking space to feature a sign which those visiting will be required to scan to pay for each space used.
“The money we’re spending out up there a month is ridiculous and costs us a large amount of money,” Frame said. “We’re spending money and not making one penny.”
Frame added once the new paid parking system is fully implemented, those who park within the site are to pay $5 for all day use at each lot. However, residents of New Hope will be able to park free of charge. In order to receive free parking, residents will be required to visit city hall and fill out the proper forms needed to have their vehicles registered for free parking. Once registered, each vehicle’s free pass can be renewed annually, all renewals to be conducted directly from city hall.
“90 percent of people that use it are not from New Hope,” Frame said. “We’re trying to get some money off of that because we’re spending so much money out every month.”
During the meeting, Frame also mentioned having paid parking would not only allow the city to recoup funds spent to maintain the park grounds, but also to potentially allow the Maple View property to remain open year around, so long as enough revenue is earned. However, only time will tell as the city begins work on establishing the new paid parking system for the Maple View Public Use Area.