GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — As the Coast Guard Festival continues in Grand Haven, pay to park kiosks have many talking. They're not for cars, but for boats.
The overnight parking is 60 dollars a night which caused an uproar on the Grand Haven Informed Facebook page. Many residents had something to say about boat parking meters. One boat owner said the parking kiosks are worth the money.
"Somebody might not like it, but at same time, it's just the opportunity to be down here," said Steve Frody, visiting from Hudsonville.
Frody said he understands the community's concerns.
"I get it. I get it. It's kind of like parking at a football game or a basketball game but like I said, there's only a few spots. There's very few spots in Grand Haven. It's hard for the best spot to be with all the concerts, activities, food vendors right out there, right off the walkway, all the vendors and all the restaurants and stuff," said Frody.
Many thought the parking meters were new and that boat owners would have to pay $60 an hour to dock their boats. However, boat parking fees downtown have been around for some time. There used to be pay to park QR codes which were turned into kiosks this year—and the $60 dollar parking fee is only for overnight boat docking.
"You're right downtown, you're where everything is at, and it's a fun time to be out with all your friends and family. I know right now it's raining, nobody's here. If you look on the wall, there's nobody here but once the weather kicks, there'll be people everywhere," said Frody.
Frody said paying the $60 parking fee to dock his boat overnight is worth it.
"There's not many spots down here. So is it worth it? Sure it's worth it. I met some friends already down here. It's worth it," said Frody.
He said while parking for both boats and cars can be hectic during this time of year in Grand Haven, he's just happy to be downtown for the Coast Guard Festival.
"So, I mean, I think with all the media I've already seen, this can be huge already, for just that, the 100th anniversary for our Grand Haven town here, it's pretty cool," said Frody.
The city told 13 ON YOUR SIDE that the overnight parking fee will go back down to $30 once the Coast Guard Festival is over.