Beach and boat ramp parking passes now available online

Pinellas County’s Parks and Conservation Resources Department is streamlining the process to purchase and renew annual parking passes for beaches and boat ramps. Online pass purchases and renewals will begin Oct. 1 through the department’s Campsite & Picnic Shelter Reservation System here. County parks annual pass customers who don’t have a profile can create one at that link. The change eliminates the need to purchase and renew passes through mail-in applications or in-person visits at the Parks and Conservation Resources administration office. Once the passes are ordered, a windshield decal will arrive in the mail. Annual beach parking permits include vehicle parking at Fort De Soto Park, Sand Key Park and Fred Howard Park. Boat ramp and beach parking permits allow vehicle parking at all boat ramps in county parks as well as the three stand-alone boat ramps at the Sutherland Bayou Boat Ramp, the Belleair Boat Ramp and the Park Boulevard Boat Ramp. It also permits boat ramp parking with boat trailers at all county boat ramps and vehicle parking (without trailer) at the County’s three beach parks. While it is encouraged to purchase and renew passes online, customers can still purchase the passes in-person at the administration office located at 12520 Ulmerton Rd. in Largo or by downloading an application and ordering through the mail. Annual parking decal fees and applications are online at www.pinellascounty.org/park/parkingfees.htm. The Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources department upgraded its reservation software in May to streamline the overall customer experience. The upgraded system allows online reservations for campsites at Fort De Soto Park and picnic shelters at all Pinellas County parks. Any customers with annual passes that have questions about the new system can call Parks and Conservation Resources at (727) 582-2100.