Free Christmas parking is causing problems for visitors to the Liverpool post office.

Each year, the Region of Queens makes metered parking free to bring more shoppers downtown in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Mayor Darlene Norman says that effort is being abused by a few drivers who are overstaying in the few spots outside the post office.

Norman is asking drivers to go about their business then move along and let others use the spaces.

“Please keep in mind that we have many people, we have many elders that are going to the post office. It’s exceedingly busy. They’re picking up packages,” said Norman. “Even though it’s free parking, if you’re working at a business or if you’re staff in another store, please don’t park in those places.”

She says the same request goes for people spending more than a few minutes shopping.

Liverpool post office. Photo  by Ed Halverson.

Norman says she has received several complaints from seniors having to park blocks away in a parking lot and make the trek up the hill to collect their mail.

The free parking outside the post office falls under a bylaw that permits free parking across the region for 28 days prior to Dec. 25.

Norman says she has had requests to change the bylaw to exclude those spaces from the free parking.

The mayor acknowledges it would take about four weeks to change the bylaw.

She says the parking spots could be maintained as paid parking next year but wonders how it would be enforced.

“How do you enforce 15 minutes unless there is enforcement standing right there looking at someone in the eyeball?” said Norman. “I think people just really need to be kind, considerate and respectful.”

Norman hopes by bringing the issue to people’s attention the public will use the free parking in the spirit in which it was intended.

E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

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