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Michigan City to shift Washington Park parking to ParkMobile license‑plate system; kiosks to accept cash for two years
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Summary
Assistant superintendent William Walker told the Port Authority board the park will replace stickers with a license‑plate registration that links to ParkMobile and kiosks; visitors will pay by app, text, web or kiosk, with a 15–20 minute grace period and variable pricing in the main lot to encourage turnover.
William Walker, assistant superintendent for Michigan City Parks and Recreation, told the Michigan City Port Authority on Feb. 23 that Washington Park will move from a sticker system to a license‑plate registration tied to the ParkMobile payment system.
"We're moving away from the sticker system," Walker said. Under the plan, residents and property owners will continue to register in person at the Northpoint Pavilion office; their license plates will be entered into a database so enforcement scans recognize parking pass holders without a sticker. Visitors will pay through ParkMobile (app, text or web) or at one of four kiosks that will accept cash during a two‑year transition period.
Walker said enforcement staff will patrol the lots on overlapping shifts so each lot is checked roughly every 20–25 minutes. "Once a license plate gets scanned, that car is on the clock," he said, adding the board plans a 15–20 minute grace period before issuing tickets to allow for short arrivals.
The presentation also covered pricing changes. Walker said Lot 1 will use variable pricing and is likely to be pricier than other lots; the board discussed trial pricing near $4 an hour with a possible cap near $20 for longer stays. Walker said the goal is to increase turnover in the prime lot so Michigan City residents have improved access and to boost revenue for park operations.
Walker emphasized outreach and staffing during the rollout: liaisons and seasonal employees will help visitors learn the system, and the parks department will maintain in‑person registration procedures this year. He also said validation options are being developed for restaurants and short‑term vendors.
The Port Authority asked for clarification about vendor and charter operations, early‑morning charter check‑in and vendor validations; Walker and board members said they will provide validations and can add vendor license plates into the system on a temporary basis.
The board did not vote on fees at the Feb. 23 meeting; Walker stated the prices have not yet been approved and that the changes are being presented for information and planning. The parks department said the new system will be piloted beginning the weekend before Memorial Day and that an online registration portal is expected next year.
