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Local motorist stumped in Town-owned parking space

November 24, 2017   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

Local motorists should re-think where they park their cars if space gets tight during popular events at a local downtown park.

After several motorists found themselves either running over or getting hung up on a tree stump in a town-owned lot next to Alexandria Park it was questioned why the remnants of a tree have been left almost centred at the entrance way of the perceived parking area.

The area is a grass-covered lot directly across from Alexandria Park on First Avenue and is bordered on each side by residential housing.

However, the grassy area is not a parking lot and is not intended for public parking.

A check with the Town of Orangeville’s Public Works Department confirmed that the lot is owned by the town and recorded as lots 27 and 29 First Avenue.

A spokesperson for the Department of Public Works explained that during special events such as the Farmer’s Market and the Blues and Jazz Festival, “vendors are often authorized to park on the subject property to reduce their impact on the availability of public parking close to Alexandria Park.”

After a few vehicles are parked on the grass other motorists get the idea that it is okay to park there.

Previously there was access from First Avenue, but in recent months a sidewalk and curb were added to a short section of the street, blocking off road traffic to the lot.

The other side of the lot is still accessible from a single-lane laneway that runs between Third Street and Second Street and drivers have been accessing the lot from that side when parking gets tight on adjacent streets. The tree stump is located at that end of the lot where cars and trucks have been entering.

A close look at the offending stump reveals that it has been hit at least a few times, with chunks of wood broken off and scattered around the ground.

When several cars are parked on the grass a tight turn around another vehicle means a driver may not see the stump, especially from larger vehicles without a direct sight-line of the ground ahead.

Since the lot is not a parking lot and simply a currently vacant area there are no plans to remove the stump.

Motorists should park in sanctioned lots or parking spaces on public streets.

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