Possible changes to Cobourg waterfront parking coming
A person paying for parking along Cobourg’s waterfront. Photo by: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 News, LJI
By: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative.
Changes are coming to parking in Cobourg as residents are complaining about summer parking permits on the waterfront.
The Town offers a $40 season pass for the beach and harbour area. However Jordy Nash claims the Town wants $150 for a second vehicle pass.
He addressed Cobourg Council’s Community Protection and Economic Development Committee Wednesday stating it is unfair to charge so much for a second parking pass.
Nash said when he inquired about a second pass, Town staff told him parking was a privilege.
“Why not offer a supplemental $40 pass? I’d be willing to pay $40. It may exceed what we spend paying for hourly parking. It just bothered me so much that this pass was explained as a privilege, yet it really doesn’t fit the needs of our family,” Nash stated.
Nash explained that his wife, a cancer survivor, attends the waterfront on Monday and Wednesday evenings for fitness and dragon boating classes with other survivors.
While taking one vehicle, on occasions he and their son attend in their second vehicle. Nash stated the additional exorbitant cost for an additional pass is prohibitive for residents.
Mayor Lucas Cleveland said changes are coming to parking. He stated a report is due before the council soon.
Yet Town Clerk Brent Larmer said families should be allowed to park two vehicles at the waterfront. He cited beach volleyball leagues where two vehicles are sometimes used.
“We have a lot of volleyball leagues that happen at the beach area as well. Sometimes a parent is going to a recreation activity and the other parent is having their kids at a hockey or baseball tournament, but they’re coming back down to watch their parent [at the beach],” said Larmer.
Larmer explained that the Town is considering weekend visitor parking permits with online payment options. No timeline was given as to when a report would come before council.
