Pay parking in Port Moody?
City to consider meters at Rocky Point Park and recreation complex
Later this fall, a report is expected to make its way to city council examining the issue of parking across Port Moody — which could include the option of pay parking. More specifically, pay parking at Rocky Point Park and the recreation centre.
Photograph by: Lisa King , NOW
On a summer Sunday, Rocky Point Park is the place to be in Port Moody.
And on any given day, the Port Moody Recreation Complex is bustling with residents.
But the popularity of both city facilities has proved to be a challenge when it comes to parking.
Later this fall, a report is expected to make its way to city council examining the issue of parking across Port Moody - which could include the option of pay parking. More specifically, pay parking at Rocky Point Park and the recreation centre.
It appears some city councillors are receptive to the idea.
Mayor Mike Clay said he favours a managed parking strategy at Rocky Point Park that includes some form of metered parking.
"The park gets so busy in the summer and we have a serious lack of parking for the number of people down there," he told The NOW.
Clay suggested there are options like keeping the first couple of hours free at the park before the meter kicks in.
He also said any plan would need to consider the potential that pay parking would push cars to the residential neighbourhoods across St. Johns Street.
"It's not about revenue at this point. It's about the lack of parking," Clay said, suggesting residents could support a minimal charge to control the demand.
"It's never going to be a cash-cow for the city."
As for the recreation centre, Clay argued implementing pay parking at the facility could be a bigger challenge as people might just decide to leave their vehicles across the street at Newport Village.
The city floated the idea of some form of pay parking back in 2011, but the council at the time shelved the plan.
Coun. Diana Dilworth said she would like to see a city-wide parking strategy that involves pay parking and time limitations on parking.
"I think it would be foolish for us to think we can do spot parking," she said, adding it would just push people to park in other neighbourhoods in the city.
Coun. Gerry Nuttall told The NOW he supports exploring the idea of pay parking, especially at Rocky Point Park, but hasn't made up his mind if he favours implementation.
"We have to develop a strategy," he said.
Coun. Rick Glumac said he couldn't take a position on the issue without seeing a report from staff first, but added council wouldn't be doing a good job if it didn't consider all potential sources of revenue for the city.
He agreed with his colleagues the parking situation around Rocky Point Park has become a challenge.
"We have to try and find some way of resolving that," Glumac said.
"It's too early to say what the solution should be and too early to say whether pay parking is the right thing to do."
But the group of politicians was generally in agreement that any revenue generated from parking meters should go back into funding new projects in the park or at other facilities.
The councillors also suggested there should be some form of public consultation before any parking strategy or meters were put in place.
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Later this fall, a report is expected to make its way to city council examining the issue of parking across Port Moody — which could include the option of pay parking. More specifically, pay parking at Rocky Point Park and the recreation centre.
Photograph by: Lisa King , NOW
