Restore & Protect Free Parking Hours at Wrightsville Beach

The Fight for Fair Beach Access

The removal of free parking after 5 PM has created a financial barrier for residents and visitors, limiting their ability to enjoy the beach after work or school. This change has led to decreased community access, reduced evening visits, and a negative impact on local businesses that depend on evening foot traffic. By advocating for the reinstatement of free parking after 5 PM, we aim to restore a balanced approach that ensures fair and equitable access to our public beaches.

Our Goal

The ultimate goal of this campaign is to establish equitable and affordable access to Wrightsville Beach by ensuring that parking policies do not create financial barriers for residents and visitors. By reinstating free parking after 5 PM and protecting morning free parking hours, we aim to set a precedent for fair beach access policies that prioritize community well-being over revenue generation. This campaign is a collaboration with Wrightsville Beach Surf Mamas and is a step toward broader efforts to protect public access to coastal spaces and advocate for policies that make beaches more inclusive and accessible to all.

This campaign aligns with Surfrider’s mission by advocating for equitable beach access. Everyone, regardless of financial status, deserves to enjoy a healthy coastal environment. Through community mobilization and civic engagement, we are strengthening our advocacy network and setting a precedent for fair coastal access policies.

Take Action!

Our collective voice is making a difference! Here’s how you can help:

✅ Attend the April 10th Meeting – Bring a friend and wear blue to show your support! Let’s make our voices heard.

✅ Sign & Share the Petition – The more signatures, the stronger our case. Help us reach 20,000 signatures by April 10th! Find the petition here.

✅ Spread the Word – Forward this page, share on social media, and talk to your community about the importance of restoring free parking.

✅ Write to the Board – If you’re a Wrightsville Beach resident, share your support directly with the Board of Aldermen. Contact details can be found here. Your voice matters!

Together, we can restore fair parking policies and ensure that Wrightsville Beach remains accessible to everyone. Join us in the fight for equitable beach access!

If you have any questions, please contact Sam Athey at vicechair@capefear.surfrider.org.