Revere’s reputation as the home of America’s first public beach is getting tarnished with the decision to designate parking along one side of Revere Beach Boulevard as resident-only parking and to install parking meters on the ocean side.
Meter parking will be $1.25 an hour between April 15 and Oct. 15 along the boulevard’s ocean side, and the other side will be resident parking only.
Ocean Avenue will also be limited to resident-only parking.
The state Department of Conservation and Recreation began installing the meters two weeks ago.
For longer than the automobile has been in existence, Revere Beach has been a destination for beachgoers as well as for people drawn to the amusement parks that once lined the strip.
Revere Beach has been a multi-generational shining example of public and private transportation coexisting, initially with the narrow gauge railroad, and now the MBTA’s Blue Line stopping within walking distance of the beach.
Restaurants along the beach have relied for years on free boulevard parking, allowing patrons to grab a parking spot — if they are lucky on a summer day — and buy a sandwich or ice cream cone.
Commuters have relied on Ocean Avenue for parking even after the state opened a parking garage near Wonderland station.
State Rep. Jessica Giannino said the resident-only parking and $1.25 an hour non-resident parking fees “ …keeps our beach accessible to the people of Revere.” But we find it more than coincidental that Revere Beach parking restrictions and fees have been instituted in the wake of accelerated beachfront development in Revere.
The latest wave of Revere beachfront development has its origins in the 2004 Eurovest proposal touted as a way to link residential construction along the beach to the Blue Line.
Flash forward 17 years and it’s hard to believe the new resident-only parking isn’t tied to new development along the beach — or demands from new residents for parking in addition to spots allotted in parking garages inside the high-rises.
It’s also not a surprise that state agencies and the city want the parking meter revenue that will be generated beginning in May.
But keeping Revere Beach a public beach means resisting the temptation to turn it into a private preserve for people who have bought condominiums or rented apartments overlooking the ocean.
Multiple generations have enjoyed Revere Beach as an inexpensive place to relax, enjoy sun and surf, fried food and ice cream.
It’s called a public beach, not the residents’ beach.
