By John Francis
Northern Bruce Peninsula’s Municipal Council will hold a Special Meeting at 10:00am March 8, to address parking issues in MNBP. CAO Peggy Van Mierlo-West’s Report (see Agenda, online) recommends taking action. (Excerpts from CAO’s Report are in Italics.)
Mermaid Cove Access/Grant Watson Dr (Tobermory)
Excessive traffic and too many parked cars have been problems for years on Grant Watson Drive.
“It is being recommended that NO PARKING signs be installed along Grant Watson from the intersection of Elgin Street and Harpur Drive to the dead end of Grant Watson in 2020. It is also recommended at the terminus of the travelled portion of Grant Watson Drive that a parking area be signed, resident pass parking only.”
Big Tub Road (Tobermory)
“Similar to Mermaid Cove, Big Tub Road also experiences a large amount of traffic. Big Tub currently is regulated for paid parking however given the location of a small parking area at the end of the road and no area for vehicles to be turned away until the end of the road, it does provide a safety concern for pedestrians, drivers and residents.
It would be recommended that NO PARKING Signs be installed on Big Tub Road however the paid parking area at the terminus of the road be maintained. There will be a reduction in revenue due to a reduction in paid parking spots.”
A proposal to use the Coast Guard parking lot proved unworkable.
Brock Street Parking Lot
MNBP bought a property on Brock Street in Tobermory in 2018 with the intention of installing a parking lot. The CAO’s Report recommends undertaking an engineering study for this project in 2021. Community housing advocates and others are pushing back against this recommendation, hoping that the property can be used for affordable housing.
Carter Road (Cape Chin South)
The CAO’s Report offers three different options to address problems at Carter Road.
Chi-Sintib’dek Road/Little Cove Road (National Park Accesses)
The CAO’s Report recommends that MNBP enter into an agreement with Parks Canada so that Parks could manage access to their properties. The agreement should forbid Parks from installing permanent structures without written permission.
Black Creek Provincial Park
Black Creek Provincial Park has become more and more popular with day trippers, although not quite as dramatically as Lion’s Head Provincial Park. Paid parking would give MNBP control over access and generate an estimated $45,000 in additional revenue per year.
Lion’s Head
“The Village of Lion’s Head did experience an increase in tourist traffic in 2020. The main areas of concern were; Moore Street, Lion’s Head Provincial Park, Lion’s Head Beach, and congestion within the business core. To manage traffic, it is being recommended that a combination of paid parking, user parking permits, shuttle service and expansion be implemented.”
Paid Parking
“It is being proposed that paid parking be implemented in the following areas within the core of the Village of Lion’s Head; Lion’s Head Marina, Main Street from Ida Street to Moore Street, McNeil Street, Helen Street, Scott Street from Main Street to Philip Forbes Street, Webster Street from Alexander Street to Philip Forbes Street, Philip Forbes Street, John Street from Main Street to Alexander Street, Mill Street from Main Street to Helen Street, Moore Street from Main Street to Helen Street, McCurdy Parking Lot.
Boaters who lease a berth at the Marina will be provided a parking pass and a designated spot at the Marina for parking. Residents will be able to receive a free parking pass. The north parking area at the Marina would be paid parking area. Parking revenue is estimated at $125,000.00.”
Moore St/McCurdy Parking Lot
Moore St is where this story began. Chronic traffic and parking problems have been getting steadily worse for years. MNBP banned on-street parking in the middle of the 2020 season. It was a resounding success. The McCurdy Parking Lot, located on the McCurdy St road allowance at the top of Moore Street, It currently holds 25 cars; it will be converted to paid parking for 2021. An expansion is recommended for 2022.
Shuttle Service
The Municipality was approached by Tim Matheson of Celtic Sports and Arts Centre with a proposal to test a shuttle service within Lion’s Head to reduce pedestrian traffic on Moore Street and reduce vehicle congestion.
The idea is to focus parking at the arena and use the shuttle to take people from there to their destination — Bruce Trail access points, the beach, the marina etc.
The CAO’s Report recommends that an agreement be negotiated.
