The Town of Milton is set to launch a new overnight parking permit pilot program aimed at addressing ongoing parking challenges.
As part of the Town’s transitional neighbourhood parking strategy, the one-year pilot will allow residents to park overnight in designated parks beginning next year.
“Staff are recommending approximately 400 permit parking spaces within the town with at least 100 permit parking spaces in each ward. It's anticipated that this pilot program will launch in spring 2025,” said Kristene Scott, commissioner of corporate services, at Monday’s council meeting.
The permit fee, set at $60 per year, will cover the program’s costs, including software, additional contracted services, signage and administration.
The designated parks include:
- Brian Best Park (north and south) — Ward 1
- Bronte Meadows Park — Ward 1
- Scott Neighbourhood Park (east lot) — Ward 1
- Sherwood District Park — Ward 1
- Laurier Park — Ward 2
- Clarke Neighbourhood Park (north and south) — Ward 2
- Lions Park (east lot) — Ward 2
- Cobban Neighbourhood Park — Ward 3
- Beaty Neighbourhood Park (south lot) — Ward 3
- Coates Neighbourhood Park (north and south) — Ward 3
- Ford Neighbourhood Park — Ward 4
- Optimist Neighbourhood Park — Ward 4
- Milton Community Park — Ward 4
- Sunny Mount Park — Ward 4
- Willmott Neighbourhood Park — Ward 4
Coun. Sameera Ali expressed support for the “out of the box” initiative, but raised concerns about the logistics of managing parking in areas next to schools, such as Sunny Mount Park, where the timing of the permitted parking ends just before schools start.
“I'm trying to understand how we will manage these pick-up and drop-off congestion?" Ali said.
Scott assured that the timing would be reviewed to avoid disruptions. “We are aware that many schools rely on park parking for pick-ups and drop-offs,” she said, adding that the proposed times would be evaluated as the program rolls out.
When asked about enforcement, Meaghen Reid, the town’s director of legislative and legal services, confirmed that contracted enforcement services would ensure compliance with parking regulations.
Coun. Adil Khalqi noted that the pilot would help provide “relief” to many residents. “Ward 3 definitely has a lot of residents that are concerned about the lack of parking availability, and this is a step in the right direction,” he said.