PARKING PERMITS MAY BE NEEDED AT COVE
Workers had installed curbs at the Maple Cove parking area by midday Friday, and plan to repave it. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge)
By DUSTIN RACIOPPI
Free parking may soon be a thing of the past at Maple Cove, Red Bank’s popular free launch for kayaks, canoes and rowing shells.
The borough, which is repaving a parking area at the site, may reinstate permit parking there, borough Administrator Stanley Sickels tells redbankgreen.
The lot had fallen into disrepair in recent years, with pavement cracking and buckling up in certain areas, Sickles said, and somewhere along the way, signs that noted a parking permit was required at the lot came down. Because of that, he said enforcement was relaxed and visitors to the foot of Maple Avenue have gotten away with free parking.
“They’ve got to pave first, and then we’ve got to decide if we’re going to put the signs back up,” he said.
The Maple Cove lot is one of the last on the borough’s list of streets and lots to be resurfaced under a program in last year’s budget, Engineer Christine Ballard said.
Other roads include Chestnut, Cedar, Park and Catherine streets, and Central Avenue, she said.
The borough will maintain the lot’s size and install one handicapped spot, Ballard said. She didn’t immediately have the total number of spots.
It’s unknown if and when the borough will make a decision on whether to reinstate the permit parking requirement.
“The main thing is just to get that repaved and safe right now,” Sickels said.
Jun 03, 2011 @ 14:29:11
Permit parking at Maple Cove? What about those of us who go there to launch our kayaks? We now have this beautiful site thanks to the hard work of “Friends of Maple Cove”. And the town is going to prevent us from parking there while we take our boats out? What kind of logic is that? I seriously hope the Mayor and Council think long and hard about this…
Jun 03, 2011 @ 15:25:43
I am so tired of hearing the wining over MAPLE COVE. Put a boat ramp there charge 20 bucks to launch a boat and send the kayaks to rumson .
Jun 03, 2011 @ 16:16:31
@Joseph Holiday – I would flip that – send the trailers to Rumson where there’s plenty of trailer+car parking, unlike Maple Cove.
Jun 03, 2011 @ 16:17:08
Why wouldn’t they put meters in if the goal is to raise revenue? Permits? Something’s fishy here.
Jun 03, 2011 @ 17:21:42
We will launch our kayak at Chris’ marine for $10!!
Jun 03, 2011 @ 18:20:59
oh man,I think the town has it in for Cindy
Jun 03, 2011 @ 18:44:52
Permit Parking!!!
Red Bank ruining a good thing, again!
Jun 03, 2011 @ 18:48:07
After all the hard work kayakers, Canoeists contributed to this fine “green” space. Like the songs goes..
“pave paradise, put up a parking lot!”
Ugh!
Jun 03, 2011 @ 20:07:28
I am unfamiliar with the previous permit requirements. Was a Red Bank Resident permit required or an additional permit to use the lot adjoining Maple Cove?
Jun 03, 2011 @ 23:46:05
I’m willing to have my mind changed, so help me out. (seriously, no sarcasm (this time))
When I see tractors and earth movers and paving, I wonder who is going to pay for it. If this will be used almost exclusively for the boat launchers, then why WOULDN’T they be responsible for much of the costs/repayments?
Jun 04, 2011 @ 07:37:13
Permit parking? I’m there almost every morning to row (not kayak). Why permits and not meters? Meters are fair. Permits are not. Who gets the permits?
Red Bank sure knows how to screw the people who come into its town for recreation.
Jun 04, 2011 @ 09:36:21
This lot is listed on the GreenAcres Open Space Inventory list as “BOAT LAUNCH”. Before this make over,the lot held 24 spaces. Plenty of space to maneuver SUV’s with kayakes on them, even trailers with mulitipal boats on them. Given the fact that this site accomodates not only Maple Cove Kayakers, but the wonderful programs at the Navesink River Rowing Club, which is a 501c3, why would any responsable government do this.RB elimated 16 spaces, and now they want to permit? According to Green Acres Rule 7:36-25.11, regarding unfunded park land,permits are at the discretion of the Boro. This lot now has 8 spaces. The enterance and exit are to close together. Parking spaces have been replaced with concrete planters,which I find humorous, given the fact that RB Councilman Ed Zipprich, DPW leision,who is running for re-election this Nov.said Maple couldn’t have $90 worth of mulch, because of the budget.Who will maintain these planters? and who needs planters in a boat launch parking lot! RB eliminated 5 spaces on the street, by putting the enterance, exit & planters along the street. Hovnanian’s Rip Rock, that has been encroaching into the parking lot for years & takes up 2 spaces, was not moved. Instead, the Borough took away another 3 spaces by squaring it out around Hov’s rocks. Now you must step up, over the curb with your boat to get on the path to the water. This lot was obliviously not designed for boaters.
This un announced project,should have been posted on the RB Web site, (so much for transparancy) It has created a terrible mess. This weekend NRR has a hug ragotta with three other clubs coming down & nowhere to park or park their boats.The rowing club brings a huge amount of business into RB because after parents drop their kids off to row, they go into town, to shop or eat. People come from South Jersey, just to have their kids row here.
This parking lot, is just the next move in Red Bank’s plan to deter people from coming to Maple Cove and providing public river access to people. Sugar, please don’t go anywhere eles to launch your boats. That’s exactly what RB wants. Less use, so they can justify selling. It’s the same thing with the community garden. RB knows that if they let people have a garden at 94 Front’s unsed Boro lot, that RB bought,along with the Maple lots, 18 years ago, in 1993 for $25,000,that the garden would be wonderful and such an attraction, that the people will fight to save the land. This is why it took 4 years to get RB to allow a sign and two benches down at Maple. If you build it, they will come (and that will make it harder to sell).
RB is still crazy mad that Maple got saved for public use instead of being sold to Hov., as was the plan & still is. I was told by Mayor Menna, that “Cindy, you’ll never relaize the magnitude of problems that you caused me by saving Maple. They, almost didn’t run me for mayor over this.”
The bottom line here is that we need to hold RB’s officials accountable for this. Why didn’t Councilwoman Jaunita Lewis, who is running for re-election, stand up for the people that use this site? She is the leision for the Park & Recreation Dept. Why won’t she come out and help with the community garden project? I spoke to Grace Cangemie & Joe Mizzi,who are running for council this Nov., the other day & they support the community garden at 94 Front St 100%, as well as no permit parking at Maple. They understand that not everyone is into laccross, soccer or Baseball. They want to improve the quality of life in RB, even if they step on the toes of big Democratic contributors & go against this RB governing body. Why not this council? I
We, Kayakers & Rowers, will make this work, however, we need to stand together against permiting. If you know any Freeholders, Monmouth County Parks people, Senators, etc, reach out to them, but in the end, remember, it is the governing body in RB that fights against a Community Garden and Public Access to the River and promotes big development.
If you feel strongly about this issue, I would suggest that you come to the next Mayor & Council Meeting June 8th at 6:30 at RB Borough Hall, on the corner of Maple & Monmouth and say something.
Jun 04, 2011 @ 18:01:28
There, we fixed it!
I’m not an engineer, but it seems like a small, shallow lot on a cul-de-sac doesn’t need an entrance and exit. If Cindy is correct about the number of spots, this so-called “improvement” is a joke. I scored a space there 2 weeks ago with no problem. Guess those days are gone…
Jun 05, 2011 @ 00:16:04
Oh look, another way for Red Bank to shake people down for a few extra dollars and turn away out-of-town visitors. Where have I heard this story before?
Jun 05, 2011 @ 10:33:42
Wow, what’s going on here? This looks really bad and there are no good answers from the council. The more that people pay attention, the more fishy stuff that comes out. No matter what, it looks like the right to easy public access to our beautiful river and our public land is a GREAT wedge issue for the upcoming election though. Incumbent council members should listen to the public on this one and use some common sense– or someone else will.
Jun 05, 2011 @ 11:05:00
Red Bank got its name from the red sand that lines its shore. This is the last place where the public can actually touch its feet to that beautiful red sand. It is shameful that anybody, through action or failure to take action, would further restrict that access in any way. It is not only immoral but also at odds with our Master Plan and the explicit intent of the Municipal Land Use Law. If the Council is going to continue to vote against public access, this will definitely become an issue for the upcoming election.
Jun 05, 2011 @ 16:26:12
Many of us enjoy the beautiful river almost daily, and we use the area at the base of Maple Avenue for parking our cars for just an hour or two. If the borough needs to charge for parking, I think meters are fair. Moreover, permit parking makes no sense at this site, since the site is not that close to the train station or the downtown area. (If people need long-term parking, they can use the permit-only areas of the local parking lots off White Street and English Plaza.)
I trust that local officials will decide to continue to offer recreational boaters, tourists, and residents access to reasonable parking at the base of Maple Avenue. Free parking would be wonderful; parking meters would be tolerable; permit parking would be awful.
Jun 05, 2011 @ 21:29:52
The lot was not really dangerous before and for those of us who row and kayak, this is pretty disappointing.
While this may appear to be a good revenue source for the town, it is really sad because the rowing club and the Maple Cove Kayakers are both groups of people who are simply interested in improving the area and have contributed to improving the area.
Even parking meters would not be great — Kayaking is done for hours and frankly if you cannot park your car nearby, it is a pain. Rowing is done mostly before business hours – so hardly seems fair to charge at 5:30, or 6:am —-
There are hundreds of people who use this recreational entrance for their self powered boats. what a shame that RB would not understand the value of such a population.
j
Jun 06, 2011 @ 08:31:48
First off does Cindy even live in RED BANK and from what i see is most of the Complaners don’t
Jun 06, 2011 @ 09:37:26
This all sounds very confusing to me but one thing is clear to me Permits are not the answer for sure. If so then i guess you go to chris and launch for 10.00. Years ago I launched up in fair haven or next to the hospital it didnt cost anything but times sure have changed Ill have to wander down there and check it out
Jun 06, 2011 @ 10:15:30
Permit parking or the terrorists’ have won. Bring out the user fees. Those poor ducks that use to nest in the sea oats had their habitat destroyed, one of the last nesting spots available in red bank.
Jun 06, 2011 @ 17:09:18
I get the ducks enlighten me on the terrorists have won
Jun 06, 2011 @ 17:48:56
If the area with the lot is claimed as Open Spaces or Green Spaces, yet is not accessible to the public, why not consult a lawyer and consider a lawsuit? Sue to retain or reclaim access and parking.
I have no vested interest in this area, but if the town receives money to maintain this area (as many towns do for open paces) they should not continue to get the funds if it’s not open or accessed by the public for their use.
Jun 06, 2011 @ 18:22:05
O now lets sue so the town you do not live in has to pay (MY GOD)
Jun 06, 2011 @ 18:58:02
If the redesigning and repaving was done to the parking lot to improve the lot then not enough thought was put into it.
The area is under the designation “boat launch” however all means possible of launching a boat appears to have now been removed. ( both small trailer parking, and curb cut access to the river) also the number of available parking spots have been cut. Ease of access into the lot has also been impeded , regardless of a handicapped spot. I visited this site a few weeks ago to volunteer my kayak services to the triathlon, in the parking lots new configuration i would have no access for my kayak trailer and would not have been able to volunteer to help the town. Regardless of weather i live in the town or not, its not in the towns best interest to make it harder for the people who use the area. Communications between the township and the people who use and try to maintain this site need to be strengthened, or the township as a whole will suffer in the end, both financially and morally.
Jun 06, 2011 @ 19:06:54
Debra, The parking lot is listed on the ROSSI as BOAT LAUNCH & the park, which is another lot is listed as Open Space. Red Bank has not restricted access, however, they reduced the parking from 24 or 28 to 8 and with the possibility of permit parking. RB’s goal, as I see it, is that RB needs to find a way to stop people from using this site so it will be easier to sell. RB knew that once the sign and benches went in, they were screwed. In my opinion, this is the same reason they will not let the garden happen at 94 Front St.
Jason, There are no Sea Oats growing at Maple Cove. Perhapes you mean the Phragmitties? Also, please remember that it was the Friends of Maple Cove that saved that site from development. If it had been sold and developed, you’d just have concrete and bulkhead. The only nesting birds down there this season were 2 Malards & 2 Canadian Geese. Both deserted their nests the night that Hovnanian shot off the fireworks last month for the KABOOM fundraiser party.
I do believe that by placing this site on the ROSSI, they were able to borrow or get more money from Green Acres for other projects like Sun Set or Count Basie Field. These sites are
Jun 07, 2011 @ 07:38:49
I’d like to remind everyone that the council meeting is tomorrow– Wednesday, June 8 @ 6:30. Please come in support of our community garden and public access to our waterfront! And, please sign the online petition for the community garden, every signature helps! Here is the link: https://www.change.org/petitions/community-garden-at-94-west-front-street-for-one-year#signatures
Jun 07, 2011 @ 07:55:32
My comment above speaks for itself. But, I should clarify this point for some of my neighbors who may not know me: I live in Red Bank, I own a business in the Downtown, and I have proudly served on the Borough Board of Education. This is not a fringe issue supported only by out-of-town folks. And, even if it was, we are still advocating that the the people of Red Bank should not have to travel out-of-town before they can access a river that belongs to everybody.
Jun 07, 2011 @ 09:58:26
I’d also like to affirm that I am a Red Bank resident. I frequently use Maple Cove to launch my canoe with my husband and child or to solo on my paddleboard. My family and I will often stroll down there after dinner for the lovely view and to get our feet wet. This semi-wild patch with it’s ease of access and beautiful red sand is just about my favorite feature of town and my quality of life would be greatly diminished were it to be restricted or altered.
Jun 07, 2011 @ 12:19:08
First, I guess it’s not clear to me why we need to pave the area at all. A gravel lot with some sort of low, defined perimeter would seem to work fine for what we need there – an unstructured parking area to be used for an hour or two while we’re out on the water. (The dog park in Eatontown has a lovely example of this, and is used in much the same way as the Maple Cove area.) I realize the gravel would require replenishment periodically, but probably costs less to maintain than pavement, which expands/contracts in our weather extremes and requires frequent patching. (Does anyone know relative costs for sure? I’d be interested.)
Second, I am unclear as to how making this a permit-only parking area benefits us in any way other than raising revenues from issuing tickets from parking violations, and I again note it costs us money to pave and maintain this lot, as well as to issue and process the parking tickets for the small number of parking spots we’re discussing here (is it only 8?), so there’s a cost/benefit analysis that I’d be interested to see.
Our budget is tight, and we’ve made some hard decisions that have been painful but necessary – for example, we no longer have a professional arborist, which I always thought was great but I understood the cut – but I truly do not understand this and would appreciate some clarification from one of our elected officials. (While I appreciate that Mr. Sickles often speaks well on behalf of the Council, I would like to hear from someone who has some skin in the game come election time.) Thank you.
Jun 07, 2011 @ 14:04:43
Joe,
You’re right. I’m not from Red Bank. I live in Little Silver, and we have a public boat ramp that people from other towns can use for free. Even you can use it. You’re welcome.
Jun 07, 2011 @ 18:44:56
From Maine to florida I dont think i ve ever PAID for a boat ramp all this nonsense about who lives in town and who does not. Build a wall around it and try supporting it without all your neighbors …please. Of course you should have say in what goes in your town but next time if your tired of getting screwed with property tax increases back room politics or anything else you may want to actually come out and vote next time it will make a difference
Jun 08, 2011 @ 11:01:49
Please sign our petition to get a community garden adjacent to the library in Red Bank. We will make it an even greater destination for visitors while building an inclusive community for our children and ALL people of Red Bank! Every single signature counts. Thank you! https://www.change.org/petitions/community-garden-at-94-west-front-street-for-one-year
Jun 08, 2011 @ 15:05:16
Yeah the Phragmites, coastal habitat, invasive species, weed, nature, whatever you wanna call it. Sounds to me like Friends of Maple Cove cut it down and developed it. The rules for the parking lot are not changing, the sign post in the picture of this article shows the Permit Parking – Head In Only sign in the bottom right corner. There used to be two other sign posts in that lot before ‘someone’ came along and tossed them in the Phragmites to be removed later by a team of landscapers hired to clear the area. Wish the town didn’t have to pay for new ones now, it would’ve been cheaper if the old ones were left where they were.
Jun 10, 2011 @ 00:52:42
Debra,
It is open for the public’s use.
It’s just not open the way you would like it to be.
Frustrating for you and others, but not illegal.
Consult a lawyer.
Just know you’ll be wasting your money and the RB resident’s tax money in having to defend your suit.
Jun 15, 2011 @ 13:30:27
So i heard from a bird that CINDY went to Maple cove and did some Vandalism There and possibly was arrested for it. GREAT JOB CINDY hope Red Bank presses charges to the fullest. Also i did some research on cindy to see if she owned property in town and i found out she did. And come to find out she is having work done on the house she owns and has no permits HMMMMMMMMMMMMM