Leaders of a residents group that successfully lobbied for strict new parking restrictions to reduce traffic problems in the Chautauqua neighbourhood say they have no quarrel with a suggestion to limit the crackdown to Niagara-on-the-Lake's peak tourism season.

Coun. Clare Cameron presented a motion to council on Nov. 29 that aimed to remove parking bans on some streets in Chautauqua between October and April so residents could have an easier time parking during the quieter, snowy months and the holidays.

After debate on the idea, Cameron's initial plan was altered and councillors decided to ask staff prepare a report and get public comments on the proposal.

The Friends of Ryerson Park group, which worked with town officials to institute several restrictions, including fines of up to $150 in some areas of Chautauqua, is fine with the idea of targeting only the busy season, says John Scott, one of the people who spearheaded the changes.

Another group, the Chautauqua Residents Association, was cited by Cameron as having some concerns about the plan to only impose the restrictions during the summer season.

However, Brian Crow, president of the association and also one of the leaders of the Friends of Ryerson Park, said that's not the case.

“From the beginning, the Friends of Ryerson Park, with Chautauqua Residents Association agreement, led Chautauqua residents (and also many supporters from outside Chautauqua) to have the town successfully address the issues of parking and traffic in our community,” Crow told The Lake Report in an emai.

He said the association endorsed and supported the Friends group's efforts then and the association's board recently reconfirmed its support of the Friends of Ryerson Park.

In a statement, Scott and Shaun Devlin said the Friends group sees “advantages in the proposed adjustment and will commit to working with the town to help determine the most appropriate dates.”

Their group plans to ask supporters for their views “on the successful remedial measures implemented by the town as a pilot project in response to the issues and concerns raised last year. One of the recommendations for the consideration of the group is to support this parking adjustment.”

They said thee group will submit a report to town staff and council in the new year outlining the views oof the members of the Friends of Ryerson Park.