Updated signage, improvements coming to Oakville waterfront parks to address parking concerns

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Published June 23, 2021 at 11:40 pm

halton_beach

Oakville Mayor Rob Burton believes updated signage and other improvements will help address parking concerns at local waterfront parks.

The Town says signage at both Bronte Beach and Tannery Park will be updated to inform visitors that parks will close at 10 p.m. daily (with exceptions, such as walking through the park).

They will also be updated to indicate parking will be prohibited when the park is closed. Parking restrictions and regulations will also be posted, clearly stating overnight parking, as well as inoperable, unlicensed and commercial vehicles are prohibited.

On Monday, City Council turned down a proposal that would have seen the Town install parking meters and charge out of town visitors $3 per hour for parking at the popular parks.

“Last year, visitation to our parks, particularly the ones along the waterfront, increased significantly due to the pandemic, resulting in our staff responding to a number of issues, including illegal parking, parking after park closure and overflow parking into neighbourhood areas,” Burton said. “Parking management and control measures are being implemented this summer to help manage park usage and ensure all visitors can enjoy our parks safely.”

The Town will also remind visitors to make sure they read all signs to avoid being ticketed or towed.

Other improvements include:

  • better defining parking spaces and areas, including gravel lots to show where visitors can and cannot park;
  • creating a temporary public parking area at Bronte Marina; and 
  • installing more bike racks, particularly at the popular waterfront parks, and encouraging residents to consider taking transit, cycling, walking or rollerblading to popular parks.

Jim Barry, Director of Municipal Enforcement Services, says these measures will help make for a safe summer at Oakville parks.

 “We have temporary special provision areas near popular parks to ensure traffic can continue to move, dedicated enforcement officers patrolling all our parks and 15 park ambassadors providing visitors information on safe use of amenities and alerting officers or police if there are safety concerns that need immediate response,” Barry said.

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