Norwalk's New Paperless Beach Parking System To Launch This Month

NORWALK, CT — Starting May 15, Norwalk residents will no longer need to remember to bring their paper beach pass with them to enter Calf Pasture or Shady Beach this spring/summer. Back in January, the city's Common Council approved an $180,000 contract with LAZ Parking to utilize a plate scanning system at both beaches, as well as Veterans Park, Taylor Farm and Cranbury Park.

Acting Director of Recreation & Parks Ken Hughes told Patch earlier this year the desired benefit of this change is to make parking more convenient for city residents.

"Now a resident with a valid plate can just go into the park and park," Hughes said, "not having to worry about carrying their paper pass, and not having to stop at the gatehouse either."

See also: Paper Beach Passes Going Away In Norwalk

• Here's When 2018 Norwalk Resident, Beach Passes Expire

On Wednesday, Hughes said the department is still asking residents to verify their plate information online.

"Once they do that, there’s nothing else they need to worry about," Hughes said.

Under the plate scanning system, any nonresident plate the vehicles pick up that has not paid for parking will be issued a $60 ticket.

Hughes said there were two reasons the new system was put in place: to make it more convenient for residents to enter their beach and to get a better control on cash management and accepting money at the beach from nonresidents.

According to the city's website, a 2019 Beach/Resident Pass printout is only required to be displayed for parking at Marvin School and for entrance into the Transfer Station and Yard Debris Site.

Any resident whose vehicle is not listed on the on the grand list due to purchasing/leasing a new vehicle will need to go to the Recreation and Parks office with their current registration, as long at it states their name and Norwalk address. If a resident registered their vehicle after Sept. 25, 2018, the vehicle will not be on the grand list.

Visit the city's website for further information regarding the new system.