Areas of work
Two study areas with different parking needs
The Town of Grimsby needed a parking strategy for its historic downtown and the growing Grimsby-on-the-Lake community. The two areas had different patterns of demand, ownership, access, and future growth.
Downtown concerns centred on busy curb spaces and municipal lots, employee parking, deliveries, accessible spaces, and future development. Grimsby-on-the-Lake raised questions about shared visitor spaces, parking ownership, employee needs, private enforcement, loading, and anticipated waterfront demand.
The study began in late 2022. Phase 1 documented existing conditions, public and business input, policy considerations, and parking needs. Phase 2 developed forecasts for 2030 and 2041, recommendations, cost considerations, and an implementation plan.
My role
I served as Consultant Project Manager and Senior Transportation Planner. I directed the analysis, played a leading role in public engagement, facilitated public events, delivered project presentations, and prepared both final reports.
At the Downtown business consultation in June 2023, I facilitated the session and presented the study objectives, scope, and preliminary findings to representatives from 13 businesses. The discussion covered employee parking, time limits, deliveries, accessibility, street closures, pedestrian access from municipal lots, wayfinding, and enforcement.
I performed the same role at the Grimsby-on-the-Lake business consultation later that month. Participants discussed shared visitor spaces, parking ownership, employee needs, overnight parking, loading, enforcement, and expected demand from the future Casablanca Waterfront Park.
I also delivered the Phase 2 presentation to Council. This required a clear explanation of the parking evidence and an accurate account of the concerns raised by businesses and residents.
What people told us
The project used two online surveys and separate business meetings in each study area. The public survey received 69 responses. The business and employee survey received 29 responses.
Visitors wanted short-term parking close to their destination. Many employees used municipal spaces for a full workday. Businesses needed reliable loading areas. People with mobility constraints needed nearby spaces. Participants also supported employee permits, clearer wayfinding, and targeted high-turnover parking.
These discussions added context to the parking counts. They explained why an available space might be unsuitable for an employee, a delivery, a person with a disability, or a customer making a short visit.
What the surveys showed
Under my direction, the study collected parking utilization and turnover data between December 2022 and August 2023. Surveys covered weekdays, weekends, the Grimsby Farmers’ Market, Downtown streets and lots, Grimsby-on-the-Lake, and selected residential locations.
The Town’s municipal supply could accommodate existing demand in both study areas. Local pressures remained. Main Street West and Ontario Street reached or exceeded the study’s 85% utilization threshold during parts of a weekday. The Balsam Lot reached 86% utilization while other municipal lots had available capacity. Winston Road was the busiest street in Grimsby-on-the-Lake while spaces remained available nearby.
The findings showed that parking availability depended on location, duration, ownership, information, and the needs of each user.
From evidence to implementation
The final strategy contained 31 phased recommendations. They addressed employee permits, time limits, curb use, loading, wayfinding, enforcement, accessible parking, shared parking, electric vehicle charging, cash-in-lieu policy, and municipal staffing.
Future forecasts tested when existing resources, new surface parking, or a parking structure could be considered. The implementation plan organized recommendations by geography, time horizon, and cost so Town staff and Council could plan the next steps.
The study was completed in 2024. Decisions to approve, fund, or implement individual recommendations remain with the Town.