Access to The Villages
 

I realize that the Town Squares are open to the general public and the businesses thrive on their patronage. Yesterday I went down to the St. Patrick's events and it was so packed I couldn't get a beer!
I'm all about lots of people and having fun. But I found out from a couple of young girls that they accessed the square using The Villages Golf Cart trails. I was surprised since they had told me that their parents do no live in the Villages. When I asked them how they got on The Villages trails they said that their parents and other people that lived in the same community had cards to swipe. I also saw another couple on a golf cart that I know does not own property in the Villages.
I'm not trying to be a "downer", but it sort of rubbed me the wrong way that they could use our trails so easily when I could have got a bigger house for less money where they live! I could just live over there and not have to contribute to the upkeep of trails and bridges etc. A huge reason why I bought in The Villages was to have access to the trails. Isn't there something that can be done to monitor this better! New passes...checking pass numbers...anyone agree?

This has been discussed of this forum several times. You can do a search and re-visit the conversations if you wish.

:ohdear: If you search using "GATE CARDS", please take notice of all the posters that think it is o.k. to clone gate cards and even discuss which equipment to use and where to buy it. :oops:

You do not need a gate card to get through any gate...simply push the button. so this makes me doubt the validity of the post.

while it may bother you that a few outsiders use the MMP's it is a very small amount and nothing that really impacts the crowds at the town squares. and if you did live off site and used a cart to access the villages MMP's you would be libel for trespassing. is it worth the chance?

You do not need to pass through a gate to get to the squares. Any golf cart, bicycle, etc. can use the MMPs without having to go through a gate, and anyone can use the squares.

You do need a card to get through the gate that takes you to Walmart.

You do need a card to get through the gate that takes you to Walmart!

The gate that takes you to Walmart requires a card to open...let them walk then!

Wrong, the gate in question that non Villagers use to get into the Villages and onto the MMP’s does NOT have a red button. The only way to open the gate, without breaking it, is with a gate card. The gates with red buttons are either already inside the bubble or are on roads that don’t allow golf cart traffic. That being said, street legal golf carts from outside the bubble can enter the Villages from gates with red buttons.

:confused: Can they legally do that? I can't figure out how but haven't given it a lot of thought. :)

Access to any streets in TV is no different than any other subdivision/development...walking....golf carting or family car.

Just like any other non-gated development!!!

But they are using the MMP's from lakeside landings to get to the squares which would be trespassing.

Anybody can just drive into the villages so much ado about nothing.

I agree!

:) Like I said..... I don't think there is a legal way for non-residents to get to are MMP by cart from outside The Villages.

:ohdear: OP was talking CARTS!

How is this idea to keep residents happy while not impacting the merchants with any type of outsider banning.

Convert the Rialto theater into a resident only club complete with restaurant, bar, and entertainment. Perhaps live entertainment three times per day. One would need to show Villages ID to enter. A guest could accompany a resident with a valid rec center guest pass. It could be Taco Mac's north without the movies. Would also eliminate the pink plywood nightmare that seems to be a permanent part of downtown SS decor.

We tried going to the squares a few time each year, had a hard time finding a place to park the cart. Even if we found a place to park, over crowding all over the place. We don’t even think of going to the squares any more.

When the snowbirds fly north for the summer squares not so crowded. Better when sawgrass finally opens.

And this is not a complaint about snowbirds we deal with the crowds

Kind of like the sorely missed Katie Belle's!

“No one goes to the squares anymore, they’re too crowded”

Yogi Berra

I am disappointed that so many of the retailers that were in the squares five years ago have left....because there wasn't enough foot traffic

I'm all for the squares being open to the public....it brings me joy to see some local resident's little kids dancing it up and having a good time at the squares (reminds me of my grandkids)

I think to myself that maybe some of the so called 'nonpaying' people actually work in The Villages, maybe they staff the medical offices, wait on tables, wait on us in the retail stores, mow the lawns, are the electricians or plumbers we all use....or maybe this free entertainment is all that they hard working people can afford

The Squares are open to the public...oh, so maybe we might have to walk a distance from the parking lot...hello we need the exercise

I'll bet every single one of us have brought our kids and grandkids to 'da squares' to show it off...if not, then friends that came to visit...they've never spent a dime on amenity fees either...so what's the issue

how silly to complain that a small about of people that may live outside TV, and would like to have a little enjoyment, and are well behaved, are crowding us out...and that heaven forbid people that don't live in TV and pay the amenity fee are somehow able to access the fun in the squares if they don't pay amenity fees

If we didn't have these wonderful people that live outside TV that mow the lawns, provide every form of service we can think of....TV wouldn't be the great bubble that it is

To those that take issue...I say 'get a life' learn how to share....you're running out of runway pal, so use your good china, buy the expensive shoes, go on the trips...drink the more expensive wine...

life is short

Well said summary that should conclude this thread.:)

:BigApplause::BigApplause:Very well stated!

:BigApplause::BigApplause:

I agree with most of what you just stated. HOWEVER, it is a good distance from the singular and original point of this thread.

I want the world to be happy. I don't have to ensure that it is. I'll do my part, but it is not my heavy load to bear.

What the original poster was stating is that it is concerning to him, and probably others, that we may have people (numerous or few, we don't clearly know) that use the amenities afforded paved pathways to traverse The Villages. The road are fair game, but he is contending that the MMP's are not.

Many of the adjacent communities have real gates that I cannot traverse, but they can traverse The Villages.

I'm sure, if I could cross their barriers, which I can't, they wouldn't want me using their amenities. The gates (without red buttons) are a clear indication that I am not welcome.

I think I captured the gist of the Original Poster's vibe on the matter. If not, I can take the criticism.

I don't mind the locals at the squares -- I find it refreshing to see different ages and I hope they spend money to keep the renters happy -- yet it doesn't matter what I think anyway, they are welcome by the developer and renters, regardless of my feelings.

That's a great idea. With regard to the OP. These was a group from stonecrest in the parade, and none of their golf carts that I saw were street legal. There needs to be a different card system for that "walmart" gate.

You did not try very hard. We drive our car to the squares and easily find a space in the numerous and huge parking lots.

Well we did find parking, but then everyplace around the squares was full. I am all for the workers enjoying themselves. It’s the crowds I don’t like. If I wanted to stand in line for music it would be at the 60 band concert in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Or for The Kennedy Centre in NY etc.

When I came to visit my parents in TV decades ago, the square was filled with Villagers and never over crowded. It was less commercial and dedicated to actually entertaining the residents. Times have changed…I guess I have not.

Let's put a roof over this airport.

Ya Right........ "Libel for trespassing"????
What planet are you from?

A group we talk to from Stonecrest came through the Walmart gate and over the Orange Blossom bridge to get to the squares.

How could this happen when we pay for those trails?

Silly Comment!

Won't be enforced.

Some low life sold them access cards - before any of you write the next sentence there is no button for access at the "Walmart gate".

I almost never find parking around the square figure have to park and walk a bit. No big deal for me but drop off my wife. Not a big deal.

It's my understanding that the entertainment at the squares 365 days a year is partially paid for by the local governments, which comes out of our real estate/sales taxes, etc.
8-10 years ago, the acts that they hired for the squares were not as good, or should I say consistent, than they are today. I remember, back then, sometimes the entertainment would be a disc jockey spinning tunes. I hardly ever see that these days, there is always a musical group with at least three members.
It makes sense for the local govs to "pitch in" since they are an unique attraction for the area. Wife & I don't attend any more, except when any youngins visit.

The squares were designed to be crowded and they provide plenty of free parking. The Villages is open to public traffic as are all of our roads. The MMPs are available to all visitors. There are no signs excluding visitors. There is no requirement for guest passes to use MMPs. If I have a guest, they can drive my golf cart on the paths. There are multiple sites that will rent carts to visitors. There are no MMP police. A visitor could bring his cart in on a trailer and ride MMPs all day.

So, it seems that the issue is limited to a few folks who are not Villagers who have found a way to enter the Villages thru a gate with no button. I went thru the Walmart gate one time and upon reentry found my gate card would not work. Waited for next traveler who gladly assisted me on reentry. How many people do we think "illegally "go thru these gates to crowd The Villages every night? 10, 50, 100? By car 100, 500, 1000? Someone implied that if they knew this could happen, they would have bought a house outside The Villages for less money. Well, it happens, and prices are high. Now is your chance.

Have you never seen or heard of SCOOTER THE DJ? He was at Brownwood on St. Patrick's day.
The times I have seen him he has always been alone not with a couple of other members.
:ho:

We’re they wearing signs, so you could tell they were villagers ?How silly of a statement.

Boom not appropriate! Scooter is the exception. There were others early on.

:1rotfl: Actually, he was at Brownwood Paddock Square.