Lakeside Park gets new rules for parking
City council has adopted year-round, 24-hour limit for beach lot in Port Dalhousie A new administrative penalty of $100 will be handed to individuals who park for longer than that time and the vehicle may be towed
Drivers won’t be able to park their vehicles in Lakeside Park’s lot for more than 24 hours at a time anymore after too many parkers have overstayed their welcome.
City council amended the municipal parking bylaw Monday night to prohibit parking for longer than 24 hours in the city-owned lot, which is used for the beach and Port Dalhousie’s commercial core.
A new administrative penalty of $100 will be handed to individuals who park for longer than that time and the vehicle may be towed.
Vehicles with Port Dalhousie Business Permits properly displayed are exempt from the bylaw.
“It’s an excellent recommendation,” said Port Dalhousie Coun. Bruce Williamson, who raised concerns about long-term parking with fellow ward Coun. Carlos Garcia.
“Nice and simple and to the point and gets the job done.”
A report to council said the Port Dalhousie councillors expressed concerns with city staff in March 2023 about people parking vehicles in the Lakeside Park lot overnight and for extended periods — sometimes days at a time.
Although it’s the largest public parking lot in Port Dalhousie’s core, the report said it has limited parking spaces available and is often at capacity during peak seasons and on holidays.
It’s used for a variety of reasons by patrons going to the beach, taking kids to the carousel, walking the pier, shopping at stores, drinking and eating at bars and restaurants, and attending events. It’s not meant to accommodate long-term parking.
St. George’s Coun. Kevin Townsend asked what happens if
someone has to leave a vehicle overnight because the person “maybe had too much fun” at the local pub.
City treasurer Kristine Douglas said that’s part of the reason why staff recommended the 24hour restriction. It’s only after a vehicle is parked for 24 hours that the city would start to enforce the parking limit.
“If you had too much to drink at 9 o’clock tonight, you have to get rid of your car by 9 o’clock tomorrow night. You should be sober by then,” said Deputy Mayor Bill Phillips.
Until now, drivers have been able to park for extended periods at the beach parking lot without penalty.
The city does have parking restrictions at Lakeside Park’s lot during beach season from May to September. But those threehour maximum parking limits are only valid 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., not overnight, and don’t apply to residents with beach parking permits.
The staff report said when people park for long periods, it means there’s less parking space turnover and it can impact maintenance needs, such as snow removal, lot repairs and special event setup and staging.
It also said with increased multi-unit residential developments being built near the Lakeside Park, staff were concerned residents and visitors from private buildings may try to use the lot and put a strain on its capacity and intended purpose.