The Town of the Blue Mountains’ (TBM) will be doing a "soft launch" of its paid parking pilot this weekend, however, enforcement of the paid parking system doesn't kick-in until mid-August.
“The soft launch will allow the opportunity to provide public education and for town staff to test the software,” said Ryan Gibbons, director of community services for TBM in a press release.
As previously reported, TBM’s paid parking pilot will charge $5 an hour, for a maximum of four hours for parking at Northwinds Beach, Peasemarsh, the Thornbury Harbour, and Lora Bay Park.
Town residents, which has been defined as any person permitted to vote in the municipal election in TBM, will not be subject to the parking charges.
“All residents of the TBM will be permitted to park for free by either registering their license plate or by displaying the printed resident pass in their rearview mirror,” Gibbons said.
For those who have not received their resident’s parking pass, the town will be mailing the pass to taxpayers over the course of the next two weeks.
A seasonal pass will also be available to residents of neighbouring municipalities, including Clearview, Grey Highlands, Meaford and Collingwood, for $200.
Season pass holders will be subject to the four-hour time limit and passes can be acquired by contacting TBM town hall.
Residents and visitors should expect to see signage posted this weekend, however, according to Gibbons, until the system is formally launched in mid-August, paid parking will not be enforced.
TBM has also created a new webpage that will provide additional information.
“The town would like to emphasize that the resident pass does not allow for vehicles to be parked in ‘no parking’, ‘no stopping’ or ‘tow away’ zones. All normal parking rules must be followed,” stated Gibbons.
