LAFAYETTE, LA (KADN)- Moncus Park received a lot of backlash on social media after it was announced that soon residents will have to pay to park. Some residents say that having to pay to park at a park is “ridiculous”.
“People are coming here just to enjoy nature and we shouldn't have to pay,” Meghan Burney, a resident said.
While others are not too bothered by it.
“If I want a nice park, I'm going to pay for the nice park,” Antonio Cullotta, a resident, said.
Parking fees won’t begin until mid-July and some residents are fine with that.
“I think that whatever we can do to contribute to this amazing new area is great. So, you know, I have to pay a little bit for parking, to enjoy all the new build that they’ve done, I'm here for it,” Bonnie Richards-Simon, a resident, said.
While others say that erasing free parking will prevent people coming out to enjoy the park.
“I would maybe park somewhere close and then just walk you know here instead of paying to park over here or not come at all,” Burney added.
Moncus Park is privately owned and not a part of Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) parks and recreations department.
This means the park is not funded by tax dollars.
Officials of Moncus Park told News15 that parking fees will generate revenue to support ongoing operations and maintenance
“It's a lot of ways that that money is going to help keep this park clean. So, it's a good thing it's not a bad thing and it's not to ostracize others from coming here,” Simon said.
Antonio Cullotta stated that if people have a problem with paying to park, they should just choose somewhere else to go.
“It's not right to be mad because Girard park is free, all of the other parks are free in Lafayette,” he said.
The Moncus Park paved lot will become a paid parking lot beginning in mid-July.
Parking Fees:
- 0-30 Minutes: Free
- 31-60 Minutes: $2.00
- Each Additional Hour: $2.00
- Maximum Fee per Day: $10.00
- Lost Ticket: $10.00
