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Politics & Government

Beach Profits Higher Than Last Summer

Parking fees raise more money than last year.

The beach has been good business for the town this summer.

With two weeks left in the summer, the Recreation and Park Department has already collected as much money in weekend parking fees as it did for last summer.

Through August 17, the $5 parking fees have added up to $19,615. For the full summer last year, the parking fees were $19,877.50.

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"It was a good summer weather-wise," said Brendan Egan, Recreation and Parks  superintendent. "Our beaches have definitely become better destination beaches." 

The best weeks for the beach this year were the weeks starting on July 5 and July 18, when the parking fees exceeded $3,600 each week.   

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The Recreation and Parks Department collects parking fees on the weekend. The town of Marblehead collects the parking fees during the week.

In addition, the department started renting chairs and umbrellas this summer. Those fees have added $1,125 to the department's coffers.  Almost half of that came from rentals during the July 11 week, when the department collected $425 in rentals.

The funds, Egan said, are used only to improve the beach. "The money stays at the beach," he said.

The Recreation and Parks Commission will decide later how to use the funds to improve the beach for next year, he said.

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