Making things a bit safer for everyone - No Parking lakeside in designated area.

No Parking Zone approved! - (Victoria Crescent lakeside - From 139 to Victoria Bridge)

Our community was approached with the hard work of Betty Trethewey and an application was made on behalf of the wishes of the residents. Below is an excerpt of the submission to Council;

FOR SAFETY REASONS we would like to see no parking signs installed on

the lake side of the area indicated on the map. We are aware that the

problem is mainly an issue in the spring when fisherman gaining access to the canal. This has been a serious ongoing concern for area residents during the Perch Festival.

When vehicles are parked on both sides it is dangerous for pedestrians as there are a no sidewalks. Pedestrians have to walk on the road. Excited children and intense adults have been known to dart out from between cars on the lake side onto the road. They could be hit by a vehicle traveling through this area.

When vehicles park on both sides, the centre of the road becomes VERY

narrow. In the spring, vehicles tend to park with ALL tires on the road as the side of the road is very wet and soft. It is possible that the congestion caused by parking might make it difficult for emergency vehicles, eg. fire and ambulance, to quickly access homes or people in need beyond this area further along Victoria Crescent or on Heyden Ave. If those service vehicles had to back up over the bridge and take a longer route to bring help it could be disastrous. If they meet another vehicle time would be lost while the vehicle backs up to get out of the way. When parked vehicles get stuck on the soft shoulder tow trucks make passage even more difficult.

This area is home to a variety of wildlife, some which is endangered. They are

also at risk. If there was only parking on one side they would be more visible

when they cross the road.

In addition, a city monitored garbage container would be helpful. At this time

9arbage is scattered into the surrounding area.

The Development Services and Engineering Department received a completed application and petition in accordance with City of Orillia Policy 2.9.1.1 Guidelines and Procedures for On-Street Parking Change Requests (“Policy”) on September 2, 2025. See Schedule “A” for the complete application.

The application proposed “No Parking” anytime on the south side of Victoria Crescent between the Victoria Street bridge and 139 Victoria Crescent as shown in Schedule “B”. Parking restrictions exist on portions of Victoria Crescent, however there are no restrictions on either side of the street in the proposed area.

The on-street parking change request indicates that the request is due to safety reasons. It is noted that when vehicles are parked on both sides of the street, most commonly in the spring during the Perch Festival, it creates pedestrian safety concerns. There are currently no sidewalks on either side of Victoria Crescent. Additionally, as the south side of the street has a thin shoulder that often is wet and soft, due to being parallel to the lake, and vehicles often park directly on the road, limiting the available road width.

Although only 8 properties fall within the area of concern, the application was submitted with over 150 signatures from over 100 different properties.

Staff support the applicant’s request to implement the proposed ‘No Parking’ zone. Establishing a ‘No Parking’ zone in the proposed portion of Victoria Street is expected to enhance safety for motorists and pedestrians by limiting vehicles to the north side of the street and providing a safe road allowance for pedestrians.