Hampton may begin charging for Buckroe Beach parking, but this summer it’ll remain free

The city of Hampton might start charging for parking at a city-run bayside beach in the future, but the change won’t happen before the upcoming beach season.

For at least three years, the city has been mulling over the idea to charge a “nominal fee” to park in any of the approximately 500 spaces in the Buckroe Beach area. Free parking would still be available at locations farther away, such as Jones Middle School, with a tram taking people from the parking lot to the beach.

The idea was unpopular with several residents who tuned in and commented during Mayor Donnie Tuck’s virtual town hall meeting Tuesday. The city’s public works department is conducting a study on it.

One of the concerns is that adding paid parking at Buckroe Beach would push cars into the surrounding neighborhoods, city spokeswoman Robin McCormick said. As a result, the city is also considering implementing a residential parking permit program.

McCormick said some of the residents in the surrounding neighborhoods like the idea because they already have difficulty finding parking on their streets when the beach is busy on weekends and during special events. Others have opposed the idea because they prefer the flexibility of parking without a permit when they have visitors.

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These potential changes won’t take effect this summer, but the city has made some other improvements ahead of beach season.

Last summer, the city offered transportation on the weekends via bus from the parking lot at Jones Middle School. This summer, the city’s parks department is trading the buses for an air-conditioned tram.

McCormick says the trams are street-legal and look a bit like “stretch golf carts.” They’re also more accessible than the buses that were used last summer, which makes it easier to load and unload people and beach gear.

The city also anticipates that its $6 million renovation project at Buckroe Beach will be completed before the start of the season.

The project includes improved access for people with limited mobility via a new ramp and a mat that is rolled over the sand and a hovering chair to take guests to the water. The equipment is available by asking a park attendant.

Upgrades for this summer also include repairs to the cracked and broken concrete boardwalk, boardwalk lighting, the addition of benches and new landscaping.

Jessica Nolte, 757-912-1675, jnolte@dailypress.com