HomeMy Public PortalAboutCOTI_PR20190520_Parking.docxPRESS RELEASE CONTACT: Shawn Gillen
For Immediate Release City Manager
(912) 472-5070
sgillen@cityoftybee.org
Tybee Island to Implement New Safety Measures and Seasonal Parking Rate
Tybee Island, Ga. – (May 10, 2019) In an effort to improve beach safety, the City of Tybee Island will be making significant investments in personnel, equipment and technology.
Along with the hiring of additional lifeguards and full time Fire Department personnel, Tybee Island will be investing in new equipment for the beach, including beach vehicles, jet skis
and safety equipment for Ocean Rescue.
“We must do all we can to prevent drownings on the Island. To that end, we will also be investing in the tools we need to get that accomplished,” said City Manager Shawn Gillen.
“One piece of technology that we would like to get is called an EMILY, an acronym for Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard. This is a remote control rescue device that works much
like a jet ski but is small enough and light enough for one life guard to deploy,” Gillen added.
The cost of all of these new safety improvements adds up quickly. To allow for the cost of keeping everyone safe, the City will be implementing a seasonal parking rate. Beginning the
weekend of Memorial day and running through Labor Day, the price for parking will go from $2 per hour to $3 per hour.
About Tybee Island, GA.: The City of Tybee Island, Georgia is on the outermost barrier island off the Savannah area coast. With a wild bird sanctuary, over three miles of ocean beaches,
and salt marshes on the back river, outdoor recreation activities abound for visitors to the island. As a key defense point to the important Savannah port, Tybee’s Fort Screven, Tybee
Post Theater, Fort Pulaski, and the Tybee Island and Cockspur Lighthouses combine with the unique architectures of the island’s raised cottages to form a rich backdrop for history buffs.
Attracting a strong artistic community, there are several local supporting art galleries. Keeping the island interesting year round are several arts festivals, the Annual Pirate Fest,
the Beach Bum Parade, St Patrick’s Day celebrations, the Beach Bash, and the Christmas Parade, as well as fireworks displays on Independence and New Year’s Days off the Walter W. Parker
Pier and Pavilion. The Marine Science Center cooperates with Georgia’s DNR to protect threatened sea turtle species by searching for nests, protecting their eggs, and making sure hatchlings
make it to the sea. For visitor information, stop by http://www.tybeevisit.com/, and to find more about the City of Tybee Island, visit our web site at http://www.cityoftybee.org/.
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