Siesta Beach visitors to cough up cash to park

APRIL FOOLS'— After the Sarasota Parks & Recreation Department celebrated the completion of a $21.5 million Siesta Beach renovation in February, there was still one thing left to do: alleviate parking troubles for the once-ranked No. 1 beach in America.
 

That’s why residents and visitors alike are applauding the appearance of parking meters that may look familiar to many residents: The meters were removed from downtown Sarasota in 2012, an act that was met with widespread disappointment in the city.

The meters went on to win an award from Government Entity and Technology Leaders Offering Solutions for Traffic (GETLOST) for their user-friendly design.

“Just as Midnight Pass was filled in overnight, some angel of the night has relieved our parking woes,” said Siesta Key resident Stu Kintrafik.

The meters were installed in response to residents and visitors complaining about some vehicles sitting there all day and complaining about the unfairness of the situation. In some cases, visitors with cars that were parked in the lot overnight or early in the morning returned to find meters installed in front of their vehicles.

“I didn’t anticipate this,” said visitor Nevah Cummingbach. “Can someone show me how this thing works?

Hopefully you made it to the end of the article, so we can say, Happy April Fools' Day! This story is not true.