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Parking, traffic main concerns indicated in Ryerson Park Survey

A subcommittee of the Friends of Ryerson Park got the jump on town solutions to their parking problem, with Mike Grecco, Shauna Dickson and Ricky Watson distributing traffic safety lawn signs this weekend.
A subcommittee of the Friends of Ryerson Park got the jump on town solutions to their parking problem, with Mike Grecco, Shauna Dickson and Ricky Watson distributing traffic safety lawn signs this weekend. The group gave signs to members on request, and 73 homes took them up on it. Residents say the first weekend was a success, as traffic was noticeably slower in Chautauqua. Most residents will only be putting them up on weekends, and other high-traffic days in the neighbourhood. (Photo supplied)

A report to council Monday is expected to offer recommendations to address parking and traffic concerns in the Chautauqua area.

A recent survey about Ryerson Park drew the highest number of respondents of any town survey through its Join the Conversation website, indicating increased use of the park has led to on-street parking and traffic as the two top issues impacting the neighbourhood.

“Niagara-on-the-Lake is welcoming of all visitors and encourages the use of its well-kept parks and green space, and realizes that there may be some local impacts to the increasing use of such spaces,” the report in the town’s recent information package says, with the purpose of the survey to determine “the use, and potential hindrances to the use of Ryerson Park, as well as identify any concerns for neighbouring properties within the Chautauqua area.”

Town staff are using the results of the survey to develop recommendations to council regarding potential parking and traffic mitigation measures within the area, the report says.

The survey shows that Chautauqua residents are not using the park as much as they used to, with overcrowding the main reason.

All respondents said they have observed increased use of the park, not just last year but in the past two to three years, with the pandemic and online promotion of the park the two factors that have “most emphasized these impacts.”

All said the they perceive negative impacts from the increased use of the park, with on-street parking and traffic having the greatest impact.

Additional no parking areas received the most support for traffic and parking mitigation measures. 

Some “emerging themes” drawn from comments in the survey include speed of traffic and safety concerns, calling for a reduced speed limit through out the area, and support for increased bylaw enforcement in the area.

A report to council Monday is expected to include recommendations regarding immediate and short-term mitigation measures, providing solutions for this season, with long-term recommendations to be dealt with in future reports.




About the Author: Penny Coles

Penny Coles is editor of Niagara-on-the-Lake Local
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