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The Harbor in Rockwall

As most attendees know by now, parking at the Concerts by the Lake can be a challenge. According to Parks and Recreation Department estimates, attendance has grown from an average of 3500 per concert in the 2008 season to over 4500 this year. And some would say that those are pretty conservative numbers. With around 1500 available “official” event parking spaces in the area, the math is pretty compelling.

The concerts are arguably the best place in the area to spend a Thursday night. The music is consistently great, the Harbor amphitheater is beautiful and comfortable, and the famously aggressive summer heat begins to moderate by the 7:30 start time. If you come hungry, there are at least half a dozen restaurant choices right on the premises ready and willing to serve up a wide selection of food and beverages. And if you find that you just can’t bring yourself to leave when the music’s over, the Hilton is a short walk up the hill.

With all this going for it, the last thing the Thursday concerts need is parking woes. So, in an effort to improve the situation before it gets too far out of hand, The City Council devoted a significant chunk of its meeting agenda Monday night to discussing possible solutions.

One of the first to address Council was Harbor developer Rob Whittle, who presented the concerns of his tenants, the business owners. “In a perfect world, all parking would be for the patrons of Harbor businesses. But we recognize what an asset to the community these events are, and are willing to work with the city to come up with a solution that works well for everyone.” He said that, while the majority of tenants benefit from the increased crowds, several had serious concerns. Cinemark Theatre, for instance, shows a marked decline in movie attendance on concert nights due to its available parking spots being taken by concertgoers.

In an effort to satisfy the needs of concert attendees and business patrons alike, the city has published a map (PDF) detailing available event parking. Note that parking on either side of Summer Lee Drive is allowed, but please be sure not to block driveways or alley entrances.

Some of the ideas put forth by city council and staff members included:
• Open outlying lots, such as those at Lake Pointe Church and provide shuttle service to the Harbor.
• Move the events to another night to reduce conflict with Cinemark, which typically releases new movies on Thursday nights.
• Longer term, look at constructing a parking garage to handle increased traffic.

Planet Rockwall invites our readers to contribute your own ideas on how to help keep the Concerts by the Lake series fun and hassle-free. Visit our forum page and let your voice be heard.