Preferred Parking Scheme to be introduced at City Waterside Parks?

Building on the successful revenue stream created by the introduction of paid parking at citizen-owned municipal parks, the SubStandard has learned that Council is exploring the idea of imposing a four-tier parking fee system at waterfront parks. According to one source who has seen preliminary literature on the scheme, “This will be a new and innovative way to increase income while addressing the current climate crisis.”

The Preferred Parking Scheme (PPS) would operate in much the same way as different classes of airline tickets.  For the poor and marginalized, the basic $15 parking fee will remain the same, but the city will add three more tiers citizens can access for an extra fee. With each ascending level, patrons receive additional privileges and services. 

While details are still sketchy, it is understood that the scheme will create three new “Preferred Parking” levels:  silver, gold and platinum.  Purchasers will receive striking stickers designed by a prominent local artist

A tentative fee schedule with additional privileges for Preferred Parking Members (PPMs) has been circulated for consideration.

• Silver:  $115. At the Silver PPM level , members will receive
  • Preferred parking: Marked sites painted in silver, gold and platinum stripes will be available ONLY to Preferred Parking Members. These parking spaces will be larger than standard sites and located closest to the beaches
  • Guaranteed Parking: Even on the busiest day, a PPM will have a guaranteed spot. In the case of a full parking lot, patrons with regular parking stickers will be towed on a random basis.
  • These privileges will be protected by a dedicated team recruited from the most aggressive City parking enforcement personnel.
  • Cars parking in marked PPM sites will be given a crippling fine and banned from all city parks for a year.
• Gold:  $515. At the Silver PPM level
  • All of the Silver privileges PLUS
  • Permission to bring alcoholic beverages to the beach (limited to Niagara wines only)
  • Access to the private PPM washroom
  • Dogs exempt from mandatory leash laws
• Platinum: $1,015. At the elite Platinum PPM level, a “fortunate few” will enjoy our beach parks with truly premium privileges. These include all of the privileges of Silver and Gold members PLUS:
  • Access to exclusive section of beach carefully groomed for comfort and patrolled to ensure your safety and privacy.
  • Membership in the special PP Platinum Club with full access to the PPP Clubhouse
  • Concierge service: a dedicated concierge team will meet you in the PPM parking sector and carry to the Platinum Private Beach your toys, picnic hampers, chilled Niagara Chardonnay, small pets or other necessities for a pleasant day at the beach.

One of the more innovative aspects to the scheme is the Green Commitment Plan (GCP). According to sources, 20% of the upper tier fees will be dedicated to environmental actions. And best of all, PPMs can designate how they want their money spent in the ongoing battle against climate disaster. Full details are not yet complete, but several examples have been proposed:  

• For $50, a tree will be planted in an existing greenspace
• For $100, a gas-powered leaf blower will be replaced by an battery-powered unit
• For $200, a foot of asphalt trail will be torn up and the section repaved with permeable stone chips

The SubStandard applauds the City’s ongoing attempts to make up the $9 million of taxpayers money given to developers to subsidize luxury condo developments through such creative measures.