Parking a car on an island
As I have mentioned elsewhere, you do not need a car on the island. We provide 10 bikes for free with the house and you are within a wonderful walking town.
See this link for more information
If you do bring a car to the island then here is some advice.
LAWS
Edgartown has a strict overnight parking rule. All cars must be off of the streets from 2:00 am to 5:00 am. There is also only two-hour parking limit on the street during the summer which can be enforced but isn't always.
BACKGROUND
The Captain Morse House was built before cars were invented and has a narrow single-file driveway.
At most, the driveway can handle 4 cars but then the driveway is fully packed and cannot be used to easily exit from the house onto North Water Street. If any vehicles other than "the last one into the driveway" want to be used then all of the other vehicles have to be moved out onto the street temporarily. You may remember this driveway shuffle from college.
To relieve the parking situation at the house and in Edgartown we have reserved two dedicated parking spaces at 67 North Summer Street which is just down Morse Street from the house.
One of these parking spots is reserved for any West Wing Guests. Simply place a piece of paper on your dahs saying "VCJ Property Guest" and include your phone number.
The fee for other guests or visitors to Edgartown is $50 per night per space. or $250 a week per space.
These are guaranteed parking spots in a town that has no overnight parking available.
Parking is available for guests first and, if not reserved, will be offered to others.
67 North Summer Street Edgartown - Private Parking lot
Our two spaces are marked VCJ Property and are the first two on the left side as you enter the parking lot.
If you are staying in the EAST WING and purchase parking then those passes are on the bulletin board inside the front hall closet. Please return all passes when done or there is a $200 charge.
Parking Instructions for the single file driveway at the Captain Morse House
Trash collection is on Tuesday and Saturday early in the morning.
There are four white marks on the driveway to show where you have to park to allow the trash barrels to roll by a car
Above you can see a BAD parking job. Trash barrels and bikes cannot be wheeled by the car.
Park close to the neighbors fence AFTER letting all of your passengers out. White paint marks are provided on the brick to guide you. Just make sure a bin can roll to the street between your car and the stairs.
Driveway Tips for On-Site Parking:
NARROW: The driveway is narrow and single file so please be very careful to not hit the house and drive onto the curb.
HOW TO PARK IN THE FIRST SPOT: Let your passengers out first. If your car is closest to the street your vehicle should be pulled in close to the white fenced property line and as close to the sidewalk as is legal to allow the trash men and bicycles to get by. There are four white marks on the brick to show where you should park inside. I like to back up in the parking spot and then leave the tail of the car on the property line and the nose of the car far enough away from the fence so I can get out. You may want to pull straight in but I have found that much harder.
HOW TO PARK FURTHER UP THE DRIVEWAY: There are challenges in parking a large vehicle further up the driveway. If you are not a confident driver or have a large SUV please have someone else park the car rather than damage it and the house. Let any passengers out of the car and then slowly go straight up while keeping the mirror within a few inches (2"-3") from the side of the house. You may want to fold the mirror if your car is huge. Using this method allows you to place two to three cars further up in the driveway and one in the driveway close to North Water Street.
Do not park next to the elevator bump-out or basement scuttle as this will prevent easy walking access to North Water Street as shown below
DO NOT walk on the basement scuttle.
- Driveway Van on Right
Right side view of a GMC Savanna next to elevator bump out
Note that the shutters are vulnerable
- Driveway Van on the Left.
The fence was removed to provide more room
Note the front basement scuttle. In this position "nothing" can pass by the elevator bump-out.
Additional Off-Site Parking can be found (if lucky) at the foot of Main Street and Mayhew Lane
There is paid parking at the airport
The Dark Woods Lot is very popular. There is enforced overnight parking during the summer months. It is located to the south of the triangle.
