Report from Mike Parkman, Parks and Recreation Department on the activity last weekend at the boat ramp:
“Friday, June 20 –        210 total launches, car parking filled about 11:15am. The overflow was used for 20 vehicles with trailers.”
“Saturday, June 21– Â Â Â 218 total launches, car parking was full from 10:15 am until around 9:00pm. The overflow was used for 60 vehicles with trailers. Trailer parking was full by 9:10am and the facility was closed at that time. Non-emergency was notified of closure around 9:45am per procedure. Barricades and staff were out until 4pm and vehicles with trailers and cars were allowed to enter as spots opened up.”
“Sunday, June 22–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 225 total launches, car parking was full from 10:00am-9:00pm. The overflow was used for 42 vehicles with trailers.”
“Overall, the weekend was very busy. Staff did a great job with traffic flow in and out of the facility. Saturday staff did close the facility with barricades at Piedmont Circle per procedure. Saturday had a much larger influx of use early in the morning and that is why the closure was necessary. Friday and Sunday the use was spread throughout the day and a closure was not needed. There were also a lot of beach goers.”
We had three incidents to report:
“Saturday after the closure was initiated and all signage was deployed(around 9:10am), including the drop-down full signs on Shore Drive,  a truck with trailer turned from Shore Drive and discovered the boat ramp was full. Staff told him we were full continue straight down East Stratford Rd. The boater did not listen and turned left at the Tazwell triangle to make a U-turn. Staff hollered “don’t go the way!”, during that turn the boater snagged a power/cable line with his cobia tower. Police were called and responded. They helped him get backed up and back out onto shore drive. We later discovered that the boater was riding around with his cobia tower in the up position. The police made him lower it before he left the scene.”
“Sunday at approximately 12:45pm, we had a young man came to the office and fainted in front of the door. Staff called 911 and found the young man’s parent. EMS responded and transported him to the hospital.”
“Sunday at about 4:45pm we had a witness come to the office and report that a vehicle with trailer was parking and hit another trailer causing damage. Staff created an incident report and tried to locate the owner of the vehicle that was hit.”
“Review of video data from Friday until Monday morning showed a lot of cars after hours until after midnight each night.”
“Parking Enforcement – Still waiting on this week’s numbers but will send as soon as possible.”
“The temporary wayfinding signage was deployed for the first time and overall was a success. Staff indicated that on Sunday when they were out picking the signs up that a few walkers acknowledged the signs and thanked the staff.” .
Residents weigh in:
“The boat ramp filled early on Saturday, and from that point on, our residential streets saw a steady flow of overflow traffic. Many drivers ignored the signage, there were backups at E Stratford and Dinwiddie, and congestion even spilled onto Shore Drive. Other areas of the neighborhood reported boaters navigating back toward the ramp, adding to the confusion. Safety concerns persisted throughout the day — including illegally parked cars — and while officers did their best to respond, they were handling multiple issues and couldn’t always be present when needed.”
Ocean Park Civic League 