its started now

seems that ajax has started to charge non residents for parking at waterfront 20.00 for the day and others are following. soon there will be toll booths on highways at the city and town limits. best spend your money in your own town

New Ajax waterfront parking plan charges non-residents $20 per visit; residents park for free
May 13, 2021 | 7:58 am

If you don’t live in Ajax, but want to go walk along their waterfront, it’s going to cost you $20 per visit to park between May and September.

The town is implementing a new waterfront parking plan that will be in effect from May 15 until September 15.

They want to tackle increased parking on weekends and holidays.

The plan includes paid parking for non-residents and designated parking areas, including six waterfront parking lots and signed streets.

By-law officers will be focusing on education and awareness at first and enforcement will begin after the May long weekend.

Ajax residents who want to park for free will have to register their licence plates online before they visit.

They’ll have to provide proof of their address and once they’re approved, they’ll get an email within 24 hours. They will then be able to park for free in the designated areas for the 2021 season.

Visitors, or non-residents, will have to pay online before visiting.

They’ll have to pay $20 per visit and it will be valid until 9 p.m. the same day.

Violators will get a $60 parking ticket.

For people who live in the Paradise Beach area, they are allowed to park a car on streets with signs that say “No Parking – Registered Local Residents Parking Only” on weekends and public holidays.

They will have to register the vehicle they’re parking and provide proof of their address. They will then be able to park in the designated areas throughout the 2021 season.

All of the registration and paid parking is done online, so you don’t have to display a permit or parking pass because your licence plate will be registered electronically.

The town’s by-law manager, Derek Hannan, says plans to tackle parking challenges at the waterfront have been in development for years.

“Since 2016, the waterfront has become a more and more popular destination for people,” explained Hannan. “The side streets are starting to get impacted negatively by the amount of cars that are parking on [them].”

He says the fee only applies to non-residents because local families have already paid for waterfront amenities through their taxes.

Although some feel the pre-registration system for residents and fees for out-of-towners will deter families from visiting the waterfront, Hannan says “there has to be a system” to control access.

“In order to allow Ajax residents to park for free, there is a process in place and that [process] is that vehicles have to be pre-registered,” he continued. “The plan is going to be adjusted through the entire summer, looking at various issues that may come up.”

Once Durham emerges from the pandemic, Hannan says the town will “have to try and strike some kind of balance” on controlling access to the waterfront, without deterring tourists who may be looking at other areas, like Whitby or Toronto.

https://www.durhamradionews.com/archives/138671

This crap has got to stop. I really hope our provincial government slap these municipalities across the back of the head for gouging Ontario residents for using public waters. And for anyone looking to respond with a bullshit “stay home save lives” response ....

Both me and my fishing partner live in the same house, both of us have been vaccinated, fuel , food and bait were all purchased in my region so no stops along the way . Please enlighten me on how using a F’ing public boat ramp with face coverings puts anyone in danger ???

What we need is for Provincial legislation to protect access to provincial waterways that we all own. Only then will the madness stop.
Typical control parking bullshit excuse with no thought to the revenue already generated by guests visiting from out of town.

I don't think that is the case in Ajax. I don't think there is a boat launch there. I assume they are trying to avoid crowds gathering in the park at the waterfront. There are, of course, other alternatives-----let the crowds show up and fine the rule breakers. That would at least produce some revenue for the town.

Heard Owen Sound, Meaford T Bury doing similar. Meaford starting June 04 $10 a day for non residents. It really is crapshoot.

Welcome to Communist Canada and the New 3rd World Country !!! Good job

I personally don't see a problem with a non resident parking fee. you pay a ramp fee when you launch at a marina. My tax dollars pay for any upgrades to the ramps. People come from outside the area, use the ramps and leave their crap behind that again my tax dollar pays for. Not saying it should be any more than what you would pay at a marina. yes the water is ontario's but the access my not be.

I look at it if I can afford the boat, tackle and gas, what is another $20 or less. And while covid on you should stay in your area and not spread the virus around.

I know there are people who will disagree with me, but I am allowed my opinion as it seems those who have different opinions always give theirs.

X2. I agree totally. I’d love to fish Georgian Bay right now but I won’t. I will wait until it’s allowed. And when I do. I will pay my $20 to access it. I don’t have a problem with that.

It should be only fair then to hunt down the residents if innisfil, ajax and those GB towns anywhere out of their boundaries and make them pay $10/20 a day wherever they decide to visit even if its free for other citizens. I think its only fair.

Agree centerspin,when and where does this BS stop?It shouldn't start in the first place.Nice way for a legit excuse for a money grab IMHO and I work in Pickering.Would not pay Ajax $20 or $5 just out of principle.And yes everywhere else should charge those residents a fee and see how fast their fee comes off the table.

Not to create a war...but to offer another perspective.
Better enforcement of litterbugs and other bad behavior is the answer. Making out-of-towners feel uncomfortable helps no one - since they are needed for most of the smaller communities (albeit L Simcoe is not small town anymore). And don't forget all the new citizens around southern Simcoe were intruders to the former rural landowners (ie those that now complain were once the 'nasty, rich out-of-towners'!). And if you want to think of how crazy this gets: Perhaps those who live in the GTA should be given some consideration (tax break etc) when out-of-towners need the big city (ie for world class hospitals and doctors etc). So let's just get along and make sure rules are enforced for everyone...since lakes such as Simcoe are not to be owned or controlled by any community

i totally agree marinas charge, people pay, why not municipalities . Its a pay to play society, get used to it. well said.

Sorry don't agree, we all pay taxes that go towards parks ect ect and boat launches. It feels like we are being taxed twice in our region's for using the amenities.

I don't think this is mainly about ramps. Here in Wasaga and in C'wood we had parking restrictions last summer. As I understand, it was an attempt to discourage visitors during the pandemic even though both those towns are quite dependant on tourists. It was a measure taken in the absence of any real attempt by the province to enforce the rules they brought in. The OPP here said the would concentrate on 'education" rather than hand out fines.Yeeeah, riiight! Like those miscreants did not know what the restrictions were months into the so-called 'lockdown.