UPDATE: Good News for Greenwich Commuters: More Parking Permits to be Available

The Greenwich Parking Services Department and the Department of Public Works are reorganizing the Island Beach and Horseneck parking lots in central Greenwich in what is described as a way to create more efficient parking in the commuter lots.

The reorganization will result in a total net increase of “G” permit spaces therefore, the parking department anticipates releasing additional “G” Permits to residents from the waiting list, according to Parking Director Rita Azrelyant. The “G” permit is exclusive to Greenwich Residents only for Island Beach and Horseneck parking lots.

There will be an additional 45 permit spaces, previously fee spaces, with the possibility of 15 additional permits being released from the waiting list as a result of the conversion and restriction of Permit only for the Horseneck Parking Lot, according to Azrelyant.

The Island Beach was often under utilized because there was a mixture of permits and fees scattered all over the place. As a result, there was always a handful of empty permit spaces in the Island Beach lot. Those spaces were the furthest from Steamboat road therefore, undesirable to permit holders.

After the reorganization, all of the spaces closest to Steamboat Road, at the Island Beach lot, were converted to permit spaces as a result, giving priority to permit holders.

“We issue 1,094 “G” permits for the Island Beach and Horseneck lots with 843 individuals currently on the waiting list. The Department generally releases an average of 350 permits a year off the waiting list so this will result in a shorter wait for the “G” permit,” according to Azrelyant.

Island Beach Parking lot has two types of users: “G” Permit Holders and $5 Daily Fee Users. The east side of the lot, closest to the train station, is now reserved for Permit Holders Only. The entrance into the lot has “permits” marked on the ground in white followed by white spaces with no space numbers on the ground.

The west side of the lot, closest to the Island Beach Ferry, is now reserved for Daily Fee Users. The entrance into the lot has “daily fee’ marked on the ground followed by yellow spaces with assigned numbers on the ground. The cost to park in the yellow fee space is $5 for the entire day. Daily fee users are also encouraged to pay via smart phone with the ParkMobile app found in the Itunes Store (iPhone) or in Google Play (Android phones). Users must sign up for the app and input Parking Zone number 2495 for the Island Beach lot. (There is a minimal convenience fee to use the app.)

The second phase of the reorganization will occur during the first week November, weather permitting. It will include converting the entire Horseneck Lot from mixed use of Permits and Daily Fees to an exclusively “G” permit lot. The department will install signs notifying vehicle owners of the changes and allow for a transition period.

“We understand this is a big change and thank everyone for their continued patience and cooperation,” Azrelyant said.