As warmer weather settles on the Crystal Coast, tourism season is expected to pick up in beach towns.
That’s why the Parks and Recreation Department in Emerald Isle will begin enforcing beach access parking fees on weekends and holidays, starting this Saturday.
This includes the Eastern and Western Ocean Regional accesses.
One Emerald Isle resident said, it can be difficult to find a parking spot during the summer, and it’s usually a matter of “first come, first serve.”
“Most people do actually come on the weekends so, I mean it’s nice that it’s free on the weekdays, but it probably should be free on the weekends too.” Alexa Saravi said.
Parking fees are $10 per vehicle per day.
Permits are valid from 7:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon.

