Thursday
April 25, 2024 
Chattereaders know we cover topics ranging from my kitchen table to the health of our planet. Today we stick to home: New Hope. We’ve discussed local issues before and there are no secrets about my devotion to the place I call home. New Hope and our surrounds have all the perks most people could want.
We once talked about my migration here from “not really New York City” – Staten Island. “The Island,” as natives all call it, was a grand place to grow up two generations ago. New Hope is, today, much like Staten Island was then: pastoral, quietly sophisticated and endearing.
I’ve mentioned before that the only argument I’ve ever had with anyone in New Hope was about a parking space in an unusually crowded lot – the other motorist insisted I take it, while I insisted she take it. Now, that’s a great argument to have; it proves my point about this wonderful place and speaks of the necessary caution New Hope must exercise when allowing development.
We, and much of the nation, needs more moderate housing, of course. Still, without caution, change or overdevelopment will cost us that which makes New Hope what it is. Those who are dubious can visit many places that have fallen victim to overdevelopment, including the former “New Hope-esque” Staten Island.
New Hope is lilting. It’s a clip of the past, and those who seek it out must quietly seep in, not lay their lifestyle on it. Some transplants take a tick or two to simmer down into its endearing pace but, must melt into the aura. With our nation’s growing population, we expect influx and that makes the effort to maintain that aura more imperative.
This town is a wonderful place to live and work and a fabulous place to visit. A short drive in any direction offers surrounding areas that compliment it well. It’s classic. We’re surrounded by great restaurants, and numerous botanical, historical and visual highlights. In town, we have the picturesque walking bridge to beautiful Lambertville, N.J., and Main Street’s charming classic original houses, architecture and trademark storefronts, individual and unique. It all contributes to this wonderful town’s lure to residents and visitors. Keeping it affordable for business owners and residents, as well as an easy visit for tourists, are all essential.
Unfortunately, there’s another issue coming, and too many people know what it is: parking kiosks. Many wonderful tourist towns don’t charge to park. Residents and tourists alike know that those mechanical assailants crimp the peaceful vibe so soothing and necessary to shoppers, day trippers, guests and residents. The kiosks may be better for customizing our metered stay, but the whole process is invasive and unwelcoming (Parking lots are a different story completely).
It’s certainly not the money that bothers anyone, especially those who are visiting. Kiosks, again, eliminate that repeated race to feed the meter, but that doesn’t mean they’re not intrusive. For a tourist with a quick question or who’s unfamiliar with the system, or for older folks who are less tech savvy, they just create hoops to go through. Worst, it’s a hassle for locals hurriedly running errands, including quick stops into various local shops, to fiddle with parking technology all over town.
Old meters let you drop a quick quarter and move around from one to another, but they also had drawbacks. Years ago, we talked about my experience of trying to read the hours on the parking meter in the dark (before cell phones); being late for an event and trying to find a stranger in the night rain to break a dollar for me; and running out of a local shop, without finalizing my purchase, to race back to my parking meter. Shop owners, shoppers and especially the locals, don’t understand paying to park in a tourist area. And, imagine residents when they had meters in front of their homes.
These days, ill-timed parking will land us a hefty summons – resident or tourist. If locals and frequent visitors could purchase permits – or residents got one with our homeowner’s paid tax bill – town would benefit. We could eliminate a lot frustration and lost sales, and many public servants’ hours could be better appropriated.
For the classic charm New Hope and Lambertville offer, street metered parking always was and still is an impediment; period. For shopkeepers, residents and tourists alike who adore our town and its offerings, we would love to see a better alternative adopted ... tout de suite.
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