“No more sweating a parking spot at the beach in Gloucester,” BostonGlobe.com
By James Sullivan, Globe Correspondent, Updated June 16, 2023, 7:00 a.m.
With its outstanding view, The Vista was the perfect vantage point for Globe Correspondent James Sullivan to survey the Good Harbor Beach parking lot while researching his Gloucester beach parking article published in today’s Boston Globe.
This year, there’s a new beach parking process that is expected to reduce traffic congestion and frustration for everyone involved dramatically. Now, non-resident Gloucester beach visitors can plan their trip to the beach in advance and have the peace of mind that they will be able to park when they arrive at their beach of choice.
Before the new system was implemented, the Good Harbor and Wingaersheek beach lots would fill with resident and non-resident cars early in the day during the summer season. While chatting with Sullivan, Vista owner Laura Dow described the long early morning lines of beachgoers’ vehicles waiting for a coveted spot in the parking lot. She described how disheartened beachgoers who had been turned away because the lot was full would offer to pay her lots of cash to park at The Vista, which she could not accept because only The Vista guests and employees are permitted to park there — there aren’t additional parking spaces available there.
The Blinkay app, which is a completely different system than the one in place last year, allows non-residents the opportunity to reserve a parking spot up to 10 days in advance. Each parking pass is good for the whole day, regardless of arrival time. Visitors choose which beach they want to go to: Good Harbor Beach, Wingaersheek Beach, or Stage Fort Park.
To purchase a pass, set up an account with Gloucester.Blinkay.app to reserve and pay for available parking. Once at the entrance gate, a license plate reader will scan plates for admittance which expedites entry. There are no refunds for parking passes, so watch the weather forecasts. Additionally, there’s a small processing fee added to the pass cost, which is $30 on weekdays and $35 on weekends and holidays for non-residents. Click here to reserve your Gloucester beach pass.
Now getting to and parking at Good Harbor Beach and other Gloucester and Cape Ann destinations will be a more pleasant experience than in past years.
Come experience the charm of Gloucester and the hospitality of The Vista. Book your stay with us today!
