Mayor Graydon Smith is hoping residents will be able to see the benefits behind a free parking project kicking off this July.
In May, council agreed to start the project in partnership with the BIA and Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce, which would see all metered parking spaces in Bracebridge bagged.
A few residents took to the popular Facebook page ‘Let’s Make Bracebridge Great Again’ to voice their concerns with the three-hour time limit attached to these spaces.
Speaking with the Moose, Smith explained, while unlimited parking may benefit some downtown shoppers, there will always be those that abuse the system.
He says this is the only way to keep turnover fresh and allow other shoppers an opportunity to park closer to their favourite stores.
Smith adds there will still be the unlimited free parking lots available across town for those that are looking for a bit more leisure time downtown.
Currently, both Gravenhurst and Huntsville offer free parking with a two-hour limit in their downtown areas.
The free parking pilot will run from July to December.
If you have any questions for Smith regarding this free parking project, you can contact K-Fell at the Moose at [email protected].
He will direct your question to the Mayor live on 99.5 Moose FM.