Dear editor:

Forty-plus years would seem sufficient time for our prior and current council members to discuss a solution to the ever worsening Old Town and Heritage District residential parking problem.

Yes, that is the time since the problem was first addressed by John Drope, the founder of the Pillar and Post.

Since then, subsequent councils have kicked the can down the road.

Better to be seen implementing non-consequential, low-hanging fruit than tackling the hard decisions.

The fate of the former Niagara-on-the-Lake hospital also comes to mind, whereby the previous council called for residents’ proposals, several of which then-Lord Mayor Betty Disero classified as very interesting.

All were subsequently thrown in the trash can for future councils to start all over again.

So, here we are today, no further ahead.

Residential Old Town and beyond is one big parking lot. And it’s not a good look.

Can we consider approaching “Greenbelt” Doug Ford and sever part of Simcoe Park adjacent to the Shaw Festival  and develop it as a major parking hub?

Route the incoming tourists down East and West Line to the Niagara River Parkway and straight to this lot.

From a pure common sense standpoint it would avoid routing traffic volume through the residential areas of Niagara and Charlotte streets, as has been proposed – and is very much a dumb idea at best.

Samuel Young
NOTL