County parking locations to transition to unified system
Lee County Parks & Recreation is transitioning its paid parking locations to an updated parking system that allows the public to pay by text message, a mobile app, through a website or at a kiosk.
The transition will begin on May 1 and will provide a standardized and user-friendly parking experience across all designated sites. The parking vender, Premium Parking, is already utilized at various downtown Fort Myers locations.
The transition will take place at the following sites:
– Beach parks: Bonita Beach Park, Bonita Beach Access 1, Bonita Beach Access 10, Bowditch Point Beach Park, Bowman’s Beach, Turner Beach, Lynn Hall Memorial Beach Park and San Carlos Bay/Bunche Beach Preserve.
– Boat ramps: Alva Boat Ramp, Davis Boat Ramp, Imperial River Boat Ramp, Lavender’s Landing, Matlacha Boat Ramp and Pine Island Commercial Marina.
– Regional parks: Lakes Park, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Manatee Park, Hickey Creek Mitigation Park and Caloosahatchee Regional Park
Payments can be made using the following methods:
– Phone: After scanning the QR code, users will receive a text message with a link to pay for parking. Alternatively, texting “PARK” to the designated short code will generate a payment link.
– Kiosk: Locate the Premium Parking kiosk in the parking lot, enter your license plate number, select the amount of time and pay using cash, debit or credit card. Kiosks do not provide change. Beach parks will initially only offer text-to-pay and online payment options until kiosks are installed at a later date.
– Online: Visit www.premiumparking.com, locate the parking lot, enter your license plate number and follow the instructions to complete payment.
– Mobile app: The Premium Parking app is available for download via the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
The $60 annual parking pass remains available. Instead of a physical sticker, users will register their vehicle’s license plate digitally, eliminating the need to display stickers. Those who currently have physical stickers will be automatically transitioned to the new digital system.
Parking rates at all locations will remain the same.
A 35 cent convenience fee will apply to credit card transactions.
For more information, visit www.leegov.com/parking or contact 239-533-7275 or leeparks@leegov.com. Follow @leeparksandrecreation on Facebook and Instagram for updates.