Politicians, residents reject beach town's push for paid parking: 'Death blow'

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The municipal councillor representing Port Burwell and many of its citizens are voicing opposition to a pilot project that will see visitors pay up to $18 a day to park at the beach, where spots used to cost nothing.

Municipality of Bayham clerk Meagan Elliott said non-residents of Port Burwell will be required to pay $4 an hour or $18 a day to park in the east beach’s parking lot.

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Residents can apply for seasonal parking passes, she said, adding side streets near the beach have been marked two-hour parking or no parking due to the need for fire routes, she said.

Port Burwell resident Tracy Farmer-Payne is “upset” about the new regulations because, for some families, going to the beach “is a big deal.”

“Maybe I would be a bit more onboard if seniors and those barely holding it together financially had some way to participate without having to walk for blocks,” said Farmer-Payne, who lives on Robinson Street several houses from the beach.

“It feels like we lost something that makes Port Burwell special.”

No parking signs on village streets surrounding the beach mean sun seekers will have to walk in from other areas in the east Elgin County community of 800, located on the shores of Lake Erie about 70 kilometres southeast of London.

But that also means friends and visitors will no longer be able to park on the street in front of her home, said Katy Jones Wells, who lives on Erieus Street.

“Personally, we’re quite upset about the no parking sign in front of our house. Our friends and family always parked there,” she said. “We’ve lived here for 24 years and have never had a problem with beachgoers parking in front of our house.

“They have always been cordial and respectful.”

Patrons of a handful of businesses in the downtown core will have fewer places to park, as well as their staff, she said. “We think this will be a death blow to the already struggling businesses as they’re mostly seasonal already.”

Bayham councillor Tim Emerson, who represents Port Burwell, said he voted against a motion to install paid parking on Port Burwell’s public beach because “it is not well thought out.”

But, Emerson said, the municipality “needs to raise revenue” to fund projects such as fixing up the pier and building more accessible and expanded washrooms.

The money will go into an account reserved for waterfront maintenance, he said.

“In my opinion, I think it’s a little Draconian,” he said. “In an effort to make it successful as a pilot we’ve pretty much eliminated any place to park in Port Burwell (near the beach) that’s not in a driveway.

“I know there are issues but I’m not sure this is the best way to address those issues. If you’re in a tourist spot, you can’t complain about parking lots being full for the long weekends. The purpose of the town is to invite people to your town.”

Port Burwell is not the only beach town that charges parking fees. Larger communities such as Port Stanley have been doing so for years.

Norfolk County councillor Chris Van Paassen says council there started charging for parking at Turkey Point, 55 kilometres east of Port Burwell, three years ago for spots along the strip in front of the main beach.

The fees are similar to those being implemented in Port Burwell, he said.

“There has not been push-back,” he said.

It raises enough money to pay for extra bylaw enforcement for those who are parking illegally elsewhere, he said. “It’s not there to make money. It’s there to keep the residents happy,” he said.

hrivers@postmedia.com