MENU
Menu open

A Closer Look: The Rise and Downfalls of Street Parking

In New York City, street parking (and overnight parking in particular) hasn’t always been as common as it is today – in fact, NYC used to be geared more towards movement and pedestrians. Bans on permanent parking were in effect as early as the 1800s, and today, it is still illegal to park a car in the same spot for more than seven days in a row. 

Family Friendly Activities in New York City

Even though it’s been raining lately, summer is not yet over! Whether you’re a local New Yorker or planning a visit to the city this weekend, we’ve curated a list of activities and places to spend quality time with your family this summer.  Take a Stroll on the High Line Enjoy a leisurely walk along the High Line, soaking in the breathtaking views of the city skyline. Sip coffee or bubble tea as you explore the unique public art installations and beautifully curated horticulture. Make sure to visit Chelsea Market nearby for a delicious bite when hunger strikes. Family Fun in Brooklyn Head over to the charming neighborhood of Dumbo, where you’ll find many family-friendly activities. Explore Brooklyn Bridge Park, where you can play a game of Frisbee, go biking, roller skating, or ride on the iconic Jane’s Carousel. If you’re up for an adventure, try kayaking at the park while enjoying stunning New York City skyline views. Don’t worry about bringing food—Time Out Market has you covered with its diverse culinary offerings. Learn Something New Together Create lasting memories by learning something new. Sign up for a cooking class at Sur La Table, where you can master new culinary

Read More!

Is Owning A Car in New York City Worth It?

Keeping a car in New York City presents both advantages and challenges. On the one hand, it offers the freedom of shopping without delivery hassles and the ability to leave the city at will, without relying on train schedules. However, owning a car in NYC comes with significant drawbacks and aggravations. Finding parking, dealing with heavy traffic, and complying with street parking regulations can be stressful and time-consuming. Despite New York City’s excellent public transportation system, 45% of households still own cars. If you’re new to the city, giving up car ownership might be difficult if you’re accustomed to having one. Deciding whether to own a car in NYC involves considering various factors. Owning a car in New York City offers several advantages, which explains why nearly half of the residents choose to have one.  It provides the freedom to travel at your convenience, allowing for spontaneous weekend getaways and reducing exposure to germs during the Covid-19 pandemic.  It enables flexibility in commuting, making it easier to drop off children at different locations, run errands, and travel between different parts of the city.  It allows for convenient storage of essential items, especially for those with weekend houses or frequent trips

Read More!

5 Insider Tips for Parking in New York City

New York City is renowned for having the most efficient public transportation system in America. The city’s subway and bus networks, iconic yellow cabs, and even romantic carriages along Central Park provide endless options for navigating the city. While locals may find public transportation sufficient for their needs, visitors from outside the tristate area or those relocating to the city may not be as familiar with the system. However, fear not, as finding parking in the city is not as difficult as one might assume.  Here are some insider tips to help you navigate the city like a local and how to find both free and paid parking options. For on-street parking, remember the Alternate Parking Schedule. It’s important to be aware of New York City’s parking regulations. Although it may not be readily apparent, the city’s streets are regularly cleaned, which means that if you plan on parking on the street, you’ll need to move your car to the alternate side. Fortunately, this is only required for a 90-minute period. To ensure that you don’t get caught out, it’s essential to check the New York City Alternate Parking Schedule for the exact times and dates that apply to your

Read More!

Things To Do In New York City For the Summer

Visiting New York with your family or friends this Summer? The city that never sleeps has something for everyone, and this season is no exception. While we bid goodbye to the 50℉ weather and welcome the summer, we have created a list of things to do in New York City that will leave you and your loved ones with unforgettable memories.  But first — if you’re worried about parking in the city, we have  just the solution! Take out your mobile phone and download the ParkNYC App – the app that allows you to easily pay for parking in NYC. If you decide to take a stroll somewhere else, you don’t need to worry about rushing back to your meter, since the app sends a notification when your time is about to expire, so you can extend your parking sessions remotely. If you’re on a budget, the app also offers a calculator to estimate parking costs.  Begin your day with a touch of nature! Sometimes, a walk in the park is all we need! Explore New York City’s Central Park. It takes more than a day to explore the park, but we got you covered! Pick out some specific places

Read More!

Parking Meter Designs Through the Decades

From coins to mobile pay, parking meters have had a dramatic makeover. The last mechanical parking meter was removed from its location in Coney Island today.Credit…Andrea Mohin/The New York Times The first introduction of parking meters began in 1935 and operated exclusively on coins. Allowing vehicle owners to park in regulated spots and decrease congestion. It came with a few challenges such as weathering and maintenance and as technology advanced the coin operated meters slowly decreased in numbers.   New York, USA – January 5, 2016: Close up on an electronic parking meter on the streets of new york manhattan, with a white van in the background With a sleek remodeling, parking meters became more convenient, eco-friendly and efficient offering customer friendly options. On screen instructions gave exact times for parking sessions and printed slips were used as a receipt for payment. The days of keeping quarters in the console were over, as the new machines support credit card payments. Machines transitioned to wireless signal and solar panels at the top to enhance reliability and sustainability. Now the power is in your pocket with the Park NYC mobile app. The physical design of parking meters transformed as technology advanced. Convenience

Read More!

Meet the stars: Carl Magee and Robert Babson

The parking meter was invented in the 1930s by Carl Magee, an Oklahoma lawyer, and newspaperman. Although he conceived the parking meter idea, he didn’t have the technical knowledge to develop it. In conjunction with professors at the University of Oklahoma, he organized a contest with engineering students to design the first parking meter. The winner would get a $160 prize and $240 for a working model of the device. However, students’ ideas were deemed not practical, and none of them were selected as winners. Holger George Thuessen and Gerald A. Hale, a professor and a student at Oklahoma University, then designed the first parking meter, called The Black Maria. Magee filed for a patent for this design on May 13th, 1935. The Black Maria parking meter is now known as Park-O-Meter No 1. Magee’s company, POM, which stands for the initials of the first parking meter name, is still active and manufacturing parking meters. However, Magee was not the first to patent parking meters. On August 30th, 1926, the entrepreneur Roger W. Babson filed for a patent for a parking meter. Roger Babson was an entrepreneur, economist, business theorist, and Isaac Newton enthusiast. As Newton, he believed in the

Read More!

Copyright © 2022 Flowbird, LLC. All rights reserved.

Follow Us