No parking

Residents’ group ask council to ease restrictions

The sudden implementation of parking restrictions in some areas of Prince Edward County this spring came as a surprise to many. The severe parking fines for disobeying the new rules are harsh and hurting. In a scramble to find solutions and improvements to numerous issues created by the immense influx of tourists to the County last summer, the municipality was eager to act fast to avoid a repetition on the same scale. A host of changes came into effect at the start of the summer season at local beaches and boat launches, along with a number of key roads that saw enforced new parking restrictions, all done in an attempt to manage a clearly uncontrollable number of tourists. While the intention was a good one, and vitally needed, the impact of controlling visitors and keeping folks safe meant local residents got swept up in many of those changes. It seems in order to accommodate so many visitors, local taxpayers are the ones faced with adapting, changing, accommodating—and now paying—for the many inconveniences they now face as they go about their day, whether for work or play.

There are a few neat spots in Prince Edward County with public water access that locals have known about for years. The location of these so-called ‘secret beaches’ were shared with family and friends, and were usually only known about and frequented by those in the immediate neighbourhood. Many knew they were there, but didn’t broadcast them. In recent years, most of these secret locations are no longer quite so secret, as these beauty spots became overrun with visitors. These neighbourhood beaches often only saw a small number of occupants at any time, and they were never designed for the masses. The result last summer was parked cars as far as the eye could see invading quiet residential neighbourhoods, jamming up narrow roads, causing havoc and safety issues, and understandably upsetting a lot of local folks in the process, along with excessive noise, littering, camping and the like.

Council’s answer was to implement strict parking restrictions on many of the roads in question, with heavy fines in the order of $300 and $400. This action not only had the desired effect of deterring tourists, but it prevents local residents from enjoying these places, many of whom visit daily, and many who have visited these locations for years. Factor in 16 months of pandemic restrictions and these beautiful areas where locals can get outdoors and enjoy fresh air with friends and family were suddenly taken away from them. “We were dismayed to learn in May of the elimination of the access to our favourite water spaces as a result of the passing of the bylaws,” said local resident Molly Mc- Crae. “Along with our young children and our parents, we have sought solace, exercise, and space to be free for many years, but especially in this last year-and-ahalf with so many limits placed on our lives already.”

Knowing they were likely not alone in their dismay at the new changes, Molly McCrae and Jenn Donville reached out to residents to gather perspectives and thoughts on the newly implemented parking restrictions. “We also wanted to gauge the level of support for bringing these issues back before council for their reconsideration,” said McCrae. A Facebook group ‘Residents for Reversal’ was formed with membership currently closing in on 500.

A petition asking council to revisit the changes was circulated and has garnered 625 signatures to date. “The essential purpose of this group is to reinstate access for residents to municipal water access roads, such as Huyck’s Point and North Beach,” said McCrae, who explained how the group is a way for residents to share their experiences and show support for the re-consideration of the bylaws.

McCrae says they have seen reccurring themes emerge from consultations from a diversity of community members who have offered a wide variety of different perspectives. Such concerns came from caregivers who have lost one of the only water access points for their loved ones who have mobility challenges; they heard from high school students who planned on taking their graduation photographs at special places along the water and are no longer able to do so; and they heard from young families who went to a place where they have gone for generations only to be hit with two $300 tickets in the space of two hours. McCrae and Donville’s wellarticulated deputation to council last Tuesday not only addressed the issues and highlighted specific key areas, but they provided some recommendations to council on how the restrictions could be amended.

Donville also talked about how people speak to a personal sense of loss. “We’ve heard from our members that they really feel these spaces are a very special part of our lives, there is a history of use for decades, and even generations,” she said. “Family traditions and memories have all been built there and are so central to the families and residents and the enjoyment of the place where we live.” She said people also see themselves as stewards of these natural spaces, caretakers of the land, keeping them clean and respecting them. Mental and physical health impacts were also noted as significant. “These places have always been a place of refuge and renewal for residents and their families, but even more powerfully needed at a time when other activities and spaces have been inaccessible; the impact of losing these spaces has been very emotional.” Donville also spoke to the unfairness of the bylaws. “These bylaws disproportionately affect members of specific socio-economic groups within the County.”

The pair shared a few ideas with council, including the introduction of permit parking on certain municipal roads, so permit holders would be exempt from the parking restrictions. Donville recommended creating two-hour parking in Wellington only during peak hours, so locals can shop, go the park and a restaurant mid-week, for example. While council have proposed making some immediate amendments to the parking bylaws in the short term, McCrae and Donville hope changes can go further this season. McCrae highlighted North Beach Road in particular, noting the proposed amendment doesn’t address the opening hours. “Many users walk outside of these hours and we would ask council to consider including that in the amendment.” While McCrae and Donville are anxious for the changes to be implemented immediately for the current season, they note a sustainable and balanced solution for the longer term needs to be found. “One that really reflects the needs and concerns for all residents; it’s about how to juggle the expectations of visitors with the needs of residents.”