NEWS RELEASE
TOWN OF GEORGINA
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Coinciding with the province’s Roadmap to Reopen plan, and in light of progress being made with the vaccination rollout and COVID-19 case numbers declining, and the stay-at-home order being lifted, the Town is pleased to announce it is cautiously taking the next step in opening its waterfront parks.
Beginning today, June 10, parking lots will be available to both resident parking pass holders and those without.
“There is finally light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel, and I want to be the first to welcome everybody back to our community. As our businesses bounce back from a very difficult time, welcoming everyone back to our beaches is key to their recovery. Opening up our parking lots will also help to alleviate some of the concerns on surrounding streets. This has been a long haul for everyone, and Georgina has remained strong throughout. I ask that as we all return to our popular beaches and parks, that we remember to be respectful to staff, our visitors, and to each other, we all have had to endure a lot,” said Mayor Margaret Quirk.
Similar to last year, the three major waterfront parks (De La Salle, Willow Beach and Holmes Point) will have parking lots for both those with resident parking passes, and those without. To park in the resident parking lot, a 2021 parking pass is required. To date, 2020 parking passes are still being accepted.
Starting July 1, 2021, residents must have a 2021 resident parking pass to park for free in the resident parking lot. All other parking lots will be available to those with passes and those without on a first-come-first-serve basis.
For those without a pass, pay-and-display machines will be operating. To apply for a parking pass, visit georgina.ca/ParkingPass. In order to limit crowds at these locations, available parking spaces have been reduced. Once parking lots reach capacity, they will be closed.
As activity along the waterfront increases, bylaw officers and paid duty officers will be out patrolling and issuing tickets when appropriate. Last weekend over 300 hundred tickets were issued for cars parked illegally. The Town has increased no parking and no stopping fines within the Waterfront Park Buffer Zone.
This includes the entire shoreline area of Lake Simcoe and Town roads in lakeside neighbourhoods. “No parking” fines have increased from $30 to $100 and “no stopping” fines have increased from $50 to $150. Visit georgina.ca/parking for more information.
Visitors are asked to limit their time and share the area responsibly should the beach become busy to allow others to enjoy. Barbeques or other cooking devices are not permitted on the beach or park. Visit georgina.ca/beaches for more info.
The beaches and parks are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily with Town staff on site to monitor and control the number of users permitted in the parks. Everyone is reminded to use the waterfront parks at your own risk. Failure to follow health and safety guidelines could result in the beaches and parks being closed.
For the latest information, news and updates on COVID-19 in Georgina, visit georgina.ca/COVID-19.
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