Orillia's city council recently decided to re-implement its waterfront parking and boat launch program for 2021.
Essentially, it means residents must apply for a free resident parking permit to park in lots at waterfront parks and use public boat launches on weekends and holidays this summer.
Visitors to the community will have to pay $50 per day to park and $50 per day to launch a boat during those times.
"I had hoped this summer would be different than last year," lamented Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke in a video address to the community, adding "there is still a chance it will be with vaccine supply ramping up and more people getting vaccinated daily."
However, for now, for "the health and safety of everyone," Clarke said the program is necessary to "manage overcrowding of popular parks and beaches and to discourage travel from potential COVID-19 hotspots."
The waterfront parking and boat launch program runs from June 4 until Sept. 12. Parking at waterfront lots and use of municipal boat launches is free for everyone - except for Fridays through Sundays and holidays.
The mayor said the city wanted to include its neighbours - the residents of Severn, Oro-Medonte, Ramara Township and Rama First Nation, but only Rama agreed to step up and pay 50 cents per resident to allow their residents to participate freely with a permit.
As a result, the city has now offered to give residents of the three townships a $50 seasonal parking/boat launch pass if their townships agree to implement and administer the program.
Clarke said the city "does not want the cost of the program and maintenance of Orillia's waterfront parks falling to Orillia taxpayers only," noting the budget to implement this program is $150,000
He urged residents of Ramara, Severn and Oro-Medonte to "contact your township rep if you would like your township to issue and administer permits."
Clarke stressed "Orillia cannot make this work for township residents on our own as we don't have the technology," encouraging township officials to work with the city.
If the townships don't step up, neighbouring residents will have to pay $50 per day to park and $50 per day to launch their boats.
This year, the system is entirely online and city staff cannot print permits for residents. Visit orillia.ca/parking to request a permit.
Clarke said the city is looking forward to welcoming back tourists and visitors soon, but "we're just not there yet."
