Parking charge introduced at Wellington Beach
Administrator | Jul 09, 2020 | Comments 2
The County will charge $20 per vehicle for parking on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays at Wellington Beach until Sept. 30.
Council approved on July 7 the temporary parking charge, in part, to better control traffic at Wellington Beach, particularly on weekends and holidays when congestion is the worst.
A municipal staff member will collect the parking charge at the end of Beach Street before vehicles enter the parking area at the beach. Cash is the only accepted method of payment at this time.
Access to the parking area at Wellington Beach will be restricted once all of the parking spaces are filled.
Access to the boat launch at Wellington Beach remains reserved for non-motorized watercraft at this time. Municipal staff will bring a report to the July 21 council meeting with a proposal regarding the boat launches in Wellington.
“I have heard the concerns expressed in recent weeks by boaters, residents, and business owners in the area. I look forward to receiving the staff report that will take this feedback into account,” said councillor Mike Harper, who brought forth a resolution on this topic at the July 7 council meeting.
Council has also directed staff to explore viable alternatives for the long-term management of Wellington waterfront, which includes the highest and best use for the marina, beach, parkland, and boat launch properties. Council has asked that that analysis consider the option of an alternative location for a West Lake boat launch outside of Wellington given the changing dynamics of the village and the projected population growth.
Filed Under: News from Everywhere Else
I agree Aimee. I’ve lived here all my life and never thought I would say this but it is no longer like home. Everything is geared to the tourist and those in the upper income brackets. I resent that council gave some of my tax dollars to the Regent when I and many others like me cannot afford their high priced tickets. I also grow angry when I cannot use our beaches because they are overrun with tourists and the line-ups just to get through the gates sometimes stretch for miles. They keep advertising that we should shop in Picton and patronize our local stores. Why? T he parking fees are too high and the machines work only half the time. None of the stores now carry a lot of everyday things that we need. Belleville is a far better place to shop and at the mall parking is free. The lack of affordable housing will one day force me to leave the county. At one time this would have made me very sad but not now. We have been sold outa nd have become outsiders in our own county.
The County, is aligning their interests with City goers and not with County folk. First they raised the cost of a parking ticket well beyond what is being charged in Belleville, and now, County folk will be charged just the same to use facilities we pay tax to maintain. This is why the culture in the County is leaving. There is an above average percentage of food insecurity here. There are people and families working 2-3 jobs just to pay bills. The county should consider issuing parking passes to year round County folk, those who can’t afford a beach pass or several $20.00 charges to spend a day at what used to be an affordable family spot. It makes me sad, however it is just another reason why I myself and several of the people I grew up with are looking to leave. What used to be our cultural fabric has been traded for City dwellers and their comfort, lifestyle and income level.