Jan. 14, 2001 – The V.I. National Park plans to create parking spaces specifically for safari buses at Trunk Bay, Supt. John King said Monday.
King said the step is being taken because the Trunk Bay parking lot often is filled to capacity, with overflow cars parking along the North Shore Road — something that he said poses a safety and traffic hazard.
During busy days, he said, he has counted as many as 20 safari buses in the parking area. "The safaris take up so much of the lot," he said.
Once the lot is revamped, there will be 12 spaces designated for safari buses to the west of the existing lower parking lot. That will be the only parking area for the buses; so, if more than a dozen drivers want to wait for their passengers, those who don't have parking spaces will have to leave the lot. "They will have to circulate," King said.
Smaller taxis will continue to park in a designated area on the north side of the upper parking lot. King said he expects the expansion work to begin in the spring, with the new parking facilities to be ready for use before the next winter season begins. "So, we'll have a new way of doing business," he said.
King said a National Park Service engineer will be on St. John next week to work on this project and others. Before the parking lot work begins, he said, an environmental assessment, including an archeological survey, will be completed of the area where the new spaces are to be laid out.
Lorelei Monsanto, St. John Taxi Association spokeswoman, said King told the drivers several months ago that the change was coming. She said it mostly will affect safaris run by tour companies.
