Rating: 4
On a hot day last week, I went through the trouble of borrowing a car to bring my daughter to Lighthouse Point Park. I have a CT driver's license, and I live in New Haven (which is also the address on my driver's license), but since the car I borrowed was not registered in New Haven, I could not access the beach unless I paid $30. However, if I owned a car, and therefore the vehicle was registered in New Haven, it would have been free for me to access the beach. I told the attendant I was just borrowing the car, and I am indeed a resident of New Haven, but he still would not allow me to access the beach. I asked to speak with the attendant's supervisor. After waiting 15 minutes the supervisor agreed to meet with me, but still would not allow me to access the beach without a vehicle registered in New Haven, or paying the $30 non-resident fee. This is an outrageous policy. If a New Haven resident cannot afford a car, but rents one for a special occasion to go the beach, they should not be charged more by the City of New Haven than residents that can afford their own private vehicles. The New Haven Parks Department is giving unfair privilege to vehicle owners. The attendants should inspect Drivers' Licenses, not vehicle registrations, and allow all New Haven residents free and equal access to the beach!