Summer tourism

Plans and parking improvements finalized

The 2022 Tourism Management Plan, along with amendments to the Parking Bylaw were revealed at last Thursday’s Committee of the Whole meeting by staff. While many of the changes implemented in 2021 will remain, staff have made further improvements for the 2022 tourist season as they pertain to beaches, boat launches and parking in particular. The purpose of the staff report was to provide detailed information regarding the management of visitor volumes and flows for the 2022 visitor season. “Further improvements ensure greater benefits for residents, specifically responding to areas where residents felt they were negatively impacted,” stated the staff report.

The Tourism Management Plan is designed to help the municipality manage summer visitor traffic, reduce overcrowding, manage excessive waste, and discourage illegal parking. The 2022 plan adds contract staff to bolster bylaw and boat launch parking enforcement, and as well conflict resolution training will return for front-line municipal staff. The Summer Hub website will also be updated on the municipal website to share information with residents. It was noted that visitor volumes in 2022 are not expected to be as heavy as summer 2020 due to several factors, such as the lifting of COVID restrictions, an increase generally in domestic and international travel, but also noting the high rate of inflation may limit travel options for some.

WELLINGTON BEACH
The main changes for the 2022 season will see access to Wellington Beach increase from 350 people to 425 people. The idea is to improve access for residents and potentially improve revenues from beach entry fees. As in 2021, a no-cost resident’s parking permit will allow County residents to park for free. For everyone else, fees remain unchanged at $10 per person for weekends and holidays only in May, June and September, increasing to seven days a week in July and August. While bicycle racks will be added to the beach, the report notes overflow parking would be directed to the auxiliary parking area south of the Wellington and District Community Centre.

BOAT LAUNCHES
Parking fees at boat launches will remain unchanged, with seasonal passes available at $50 (residents) and $100 (non-residents). Single-use parking fees remain unchanged at $10 per vehicles without trailers, and $20 for vehicles with trailers. “In 2020, boat launch user fees generated $14,140; in 2021, parking fees and passes generated approximately $65,000.” While the report noted some boat launch users complained the use of smart technology to pay per use was inaccessible, it noted the cost of installing a pay machine (at $7,000 per unit) was prohibitive. “Single users are able to book a day pass online using their home internet or Wi-Fi connection.” The Wellington boat launch (marina) remains closed, where an alternative site is being explored, to be presented to Council in April.

PARKS AND PICNIC AREAS
While park and picnic area operations remain unchanged, to help visitors find a public washroom in areas such as Carrying Place, Bloomfield and Picton, the buildings will be painted and/or marked to better identify their purpose. It is also expected signage will be improved to public washrooms, picnic areas and municipal boat launches. Expanded public washroom cleaning and waste removal schedules will continue.

SIDEWALK PATIOS
The report recommends that restaurants and local businesses continue to be allowed to operate sidewalk patios to help recover from the impacts of COVID-19. The bylaw extension which expired on January 1, 2022 will be temporarily extended until January 1, 2023 with fees waived for the 2022 season.

TAXI SERVICES
The staff report cited reduced access to taxi services for residents and visitors as an emerging issue of concern. “A transit report, including updates on ridership and the proposed addition of a shuttle running from Picton to Bloomfield to Wellington and connecting with VIA rail service in Belleville on weekend evenings, will come to council in April.”

PARKING
For several beach locations, a free resident parking permit is being proposed for this summer (similar to the free pass implemented at Wellington beach in 2021) that would exempt residents from incurring parking fines (seasonal fees are $400) provided residents comply with designated parking spaces and zones. The idea of a resident parking permit for some areas is being explored by staff in the form of a ’County card’. Details are still being worked out and are expected in the coming weeks.

County Road 20: County residents will be permitted to park (without incurring parking fines) in designated resident-permit roadside parking spaces along a 60-metre stretch of County Road 20.

Bakker Road: Extending the parking restriction beyond the improved portion of Bakker Road into the parking lot, to allow resident parking (with a parking permit) in the parking lot area on both sides of the road.

Stinson Block Road: The seasonal no-parking restriction has been reduced by 300 metres on the north side of Stinson Block Road starting at 1218 Stinson Block Road and heading westerly.

County Road 27/North Beach Road: Parking will be permitted on the north side of the road only during the park’s operating season (between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.).

Lake on the Mountain: Parking restrictions in the area around Lake on the Mountain on Country Road 7 have been lifted and are restored to 2020 levels.

Station Road: No parking on both sides of the road approaching the Millennium Trail from the west side extending beyond the 172 Station Road property.

Parkview Road/Fort Kente Road: The inside corner to be restricted from 22 Parkview Road up past Fort Kente Road to the intersection of the Millennium Trail crossing.

WELLINGTON
East Street: No parking on East Street, from Main Street to Lake Ontario.

Wharf Street: Westerly from Niles Street to Noxon Avenue a daily two-hour parking time limit from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. will be allowed.

Wharf Street:Westerly from Noxon Avenue to Main Street no parking at all times.

Wharf Street: Easterly from Niles Street to Main Street no parking at all times (except for a loading zone starting 13.7 metres northerly from Main Street for 15- metre distance northerly to be utilized by businesses on the north side of Main Street in proximity to this area).

PICTON
Prospect Avenue: Easterly, from northerly limits of 15 to 21 Prospect Avenue, no parking at all times.

Mary Street East: No parking on both sides from Bridge Street to York Street (December 1 to March 31, 12 to 4 p.m.).

Royal Hotel/Main Street: The area in front of the Royal Hotel reserved for limousine and taxi parking was raised by Councillor Phil Prinzen, where Mike Kelly, Supervisor of Bylaw Services confirmed there were two spots for taxi cabs and one for OPP parking. Councillor Phil St-Jean said the hash marks make people think it is a loading zone. “I don’t believe that is required anymore for the Royal as the taxis aren’t using those spots anymore,” he said. “My suggestion is that area be converted back to more traditional parking as the Royal receives most of their deliveries at the back,” said St-Jean. The issue will go back to staff for further review.

The March 24 Committee of the Whole meeting is available for viewing on the County’s YouTube channel (bit/.ly/LiveStreamPEC), with associated documentation (with full details of parking restrictions and additions) available as part of the agenda package found on the County’s website.