It’s time to start thinking about the night of July 3, when we’ll enjoy the fireworks display on the Bay put on by the Town of Chesapeake Beach. Those who’ve been here for past celebrations know that along with a spectacular show, we can expect a crowd control problem, and an influx of cars that strains the capacity of our parking places, even though we restrict access to cars with passes.
Last year we introduced a modified system for distributing guest parking passes. Overall it worked very well, and we’re going to do things the same way this year.
Once again, we’ll distribute a total of 230 passes. That’s roughly how many vehicles we can add without gridlocking our streets and making them impassable to emergency vehicles. The off-duty Sheriff’s deputies and CSHOA volunteers staffing the entrances will tear each visitor’s pass in half when vehicles enter, so that the passes can’t be reused..
Beginning June 8, passes for guest vehicles will be available from Board President Jim Mulder, 410-257-0626, jmulder3@verizon.net, to any resident or owner in Chesapeake Station, with an initial limit of four per household.
As of June 22, any remaining passes will also be available from Board Secretary George Newman, 410-286-3922, newfair@verizon.net. At that time those needing more than four will be able to get additional passes until the supply is exhausted. The overall limit per household will be eight, subject to availability, although requests for more will be considered case by case, if unused passes remain. Remember that each pass is for one car, not one individual.
You can help make things run smoothly if you:
- Don’t ask for passes unless you intend to use them. If your plans change, return your passes to the Board so someone else can use them.
- Plan ahead. Get passes to your guests in plenty of time. When practical, have guests carpool. This saves passes, parking spaces and gasoline. If your guests are arriving early, consider having them park in public areas and walk into Chesapeake Station.
- Understand that if your guests don’t have a parking pass, their vehicle will not be admitted even if you vouch for them. (If you are unable to get the pass to them in advance, you can meet them at the entrance with it.)
- Remember that you are responsible for the conduct and safety of your guests. That includes watching where they park and making sure that they have a designated driver, if needed.
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It’s nice to see everybody out enjoying the spring sunshine. Winter is finally behind us, and it’s already time for our annual beach cleanup. Thank you, Rob Crow and family and Heidi Daniels and the Social Committee, for getting that set up. Please plan to pitch in May 2, from 1000-1200 (Bring rakes and gloves). The more “person power” the easier it will go, and the more time we’ll have to devour the goodies the Social Committee has planned for us.
