THUNDER BAY — Additions to the city's paid parking plan for Marina Park are expected to be heard by council on Monday night.
Parking Authority supervisor Jonathan Paske said the new plan, which would go into effect on June 1, would include a pair of parking pass options for frequent users of the park – a four-hour pass for $80 that allows users a single four-hour session every day, and an all-day pass for $140.
Both passes would be valid throughout the remainder of the calendar year but do not include the Market Square lot next to the splash pad area.
Motorists who wish to pay as they go will be expected to pay $2 per hour to park anywhere at the Marina except the Market Street lot, which comes with a $3-per-hour price tag.
Paske said paid waterfront parking is commonplace in most metropolitan centres and is being implemented for a variety of reasons.
“It’s to help maintain the parking infrastructure, keep it off the tax base and keep it with the people who use it, the parkers,” Paske said.
“And it’s a method to help control the parking as well down here.”
The passes are the result of a request from a public survey, when the recommendation was first made earlier this year, to find options for people who are frequent users of the park.
“So, we came up with this pass method for those who come frequently as an alternative to paying the hourly rate.
"We came up with two passes, a four-hour pass you can use once per day for up to a four-hour period, and then we have another pass that would allow people to park all day,” Paske said.
“So, depending on the needs of the user, that’s an alternative method of payment.”
Paid parking will be in effect at Marina Park, starting on June 1, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays.
Parking on Sunday will remain free of charge.
Exemptions for paid parking include boaters who rent a slip at the Marina. They’ll have a parking pass provided as part of their rental agreement.
Members of the Tai Chi park will also get a pass but can only use it during set times on Tuesday and Thursday when scheduled sessions are taking place.
Paske said event organizers, such as Wake the Giant Music Festival or Canada Day in the Park, can opt to have certain lots closed to the public, including pass-holders, while their events are in progress.
“If the events close parking lots, like they typically do; obviously the public won’t be able to park there anyway,” Paske said.
“But any lots that are open would be … used just as normal.”
The city is in the process of installing seven kiosks to accept parking payments, and Paske said the Passport Parking Canada app can also be used.
Council is expected to consider the change to the Marina Park parking plan on Monday night.
