Does Niagara-on-the-Lake have enough parking, and is it in the right places? The town is collecting data to answer that question while considering how to manage tourism-related pressure without creating the same solution for every community.
A shuttle to and from Old Town and licence plate readers to help enforce parking rules are among the options that may be explored as NOTL studies its parking supply.
Work on recommendations is scheduled for later this year, with the study expected to address everything from visitor spillover onto residential streets to overnight parking and future growth.
The town has hired LEA Consulting Ltd. to examine parking conditions across Old Town, Virgil, Glendale, Queenston and St. Davids. The study will assess whether existing municipal parking is appropriate and look at ways to improve how parking is managed, rather than simply adding more spaces.
Jay Plato, the town’s fire chief and director of community and protective services, said the consultant conducted parking surveys in Old Town during August’s peak tourism season, measuring demand, available capacity and turnover rates. More surveys are planned for the fall in the other urban areas.
The fall surveys are planned for when schools are back in regular operation, allowing the consultant to examine parking conditions in residential neighbourhoods.
“Options such as a shuttle service to and from Old Town may be explored as part of the Study,” Plato said in an emailed response to The Lake Report.
Old Town has the largest concentration of municipal parking and the highest visitor demand because of its commercial, tourism and cultural destinations, Plato said. The study will examine seasonal changes, visitor activity, residential needs, future growth and operational challenges.
In Virgil, Glendale, Queenston and St. Davids, the focus will include residential parking, overnight pressures, future development and localized constraints. The goal is to develop recommendations suited to each community’s conditions.
The study could also consider introducing licence plate readers to make parking enforcement more efficient, LEA said in a response provided by the town.
Other possibilities include parking permits, demand-based pricing, improved accessible parking, clearer signs and technology to help drivers find and pay for parking.
“At this stage, we are focused on understanding how the existing parking system is working and hearing from the community about their experiences,” LEA said.
“Once we have reviewed the survey results and public input, we will use that information to identify how and where the strategies will be most effective in addressing the town’s needs.”
The town began public engagement efforts Aug. 27, inviting residents, visitors, business owners and employees to share their experiences. Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa said the feedback will help shape the study’s direction.
“We know parking affects how people experience our community,” Zalepa said in the town’s news release. “That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to take a few minutes to complete the survey and share their ideas. Your feedback will help ensure future recommendations reflect the needs and priorities of our community.”
The study is expected to be completed by February. A public information centre and other engagement activities are planned.
Two surveys are available: one for residents and visitors, and another for business owners and employees. People who fit both categories can complete both. The public surveys remain open until Sept. 30 on the town’s Join the Conversation website.
