We, the undersigned residents, business owners, employees, and visitors of Anna Maria Island, respectfully ask the Mayor and City Commission not to implement paid public parking in the City of Anna Maria.

We recognize that parking, traffic, and congestion are real challenges, and we appreciate the work our City leaders do to address them. We simply do not believe paid parking is the right solution.

Anna Maria is a gem because it is different. It has retained the Old Florida, small-town character that people love and that is becoming increasingly rare in Florida. We should be careful about introducing the very things people come here to escape.

Paid parking could also hurt our local businesses. Anna Maria sits at the far north end of the island, and visitors already pass beaches, restaurants, and shops in Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach before reaching us. Adding another cost and inconvenience may encourage people to stop elsewhere instead of continuing north.

It could also push visitors looking for free parking into private business lots, taking limited spaces away from actual customers and leaving small businesses responsible for parking enforcement.

This isn't simply about the cost of parking. It's about protecting the welcoming character of our city, supporting our small businesses, and preserving what makes Anna Maria special.

We respectfully ask the Mayor and City Commission to keep public parking free and pursue other solutions to our parking challenges.

Protect our small businesses. Preserve Old Florida. Keep parking free.

Let's Keep Anna Maria a Gem. 🌴