Many locals have been discussing parking lately.There are fewer and fewer places to park and more and more tickets being issued. With pay parking starting the problem will get even worse.I invite your comments.
Went downtown to do some business, drove around and around for about 10 to 15 minutes to find a parking spot. Council is so far behind the curve, I don't think they realize how the town is changing and how fast. Bandaids wont accomplish much. Ticketing and beautification wont change much. In one year, two years, at the rate the tourist crowd keeps increasing, the problems will be 50% worse. We need a new plan and bold action now or the town will choke itself....
Well brilliance in parking design is destined to help. Losing spaces along Campbell and placing garbage cans and bicycle parking whales tails in spots along Main make so much sense now. But it all looks pretty.
The map on pg.21 shows "Offshore-Resident Permit Parking Areas" only parking areas downtown. People who live offshore can get a permit (free, I believe) even though they don't pay property taxes or have the ability to vote in this town.
The "Manager of Community Sustainability" spent years studying & countle$$ hours creating his own job. No one seems to know how he qualified to deserve his extreme salary.
Not sure why councillors approved this parking plan. Was it to purposely create chaos, to help fulfill their backroom dream of a car/tourist free Tofino ?
If a proper shopping mall was built, perhaps on the vacant land next to the ambulance depot or out around Ocean Park, this could move a lot of the retail traffic away from the downtown core and ease the demand for parking downtown. Also, the offshore residents wouldn't need to travel to Port to shop at Walmart, we could bring Walmart here!....so they wouldn't need to have so many vehicles. This would ease the demand for offshore parking. Tourists would love it, they'd then have "something to do" when it rains. More parking, Amenities, Cheaper Groceries, A Dollar Store, Cineplex, Jobs, Tax Revenue.... TOFINO NEEDS A MALL!!
If a proper shopping mall was built, perhaps on the vacant land next to the ambulance depot or out around Ocean Park, this could move a lot of the retail traffic away from the downtown core and ease the demand for parking downtown. Also, the offshore residents wouldn't need to travel to Port to shop at Walmart, we could bring Walmart here!....so they wouldn't need to have so many vehicles. This would ease the demand for offshore parking. Tourists would love it, they'd then have "something to do" when it rains. More parking, Amenities, Cheaper Groceries, A Dollar Store, Cineplex, Jobs, Tax Revenue, more restaurants, maybe a couple more surf shops.... TOFINO NEEDS A MALL!!
O, my God. Councillor Baert is probably having palpitations with the suggestion of a mall. She might loose a couple of customers. It will never happen. Must be a good idea.
If we get a mall, will there be one of those teddy-bear machines where you pick up your prize in the mechanical "claw"? That would be just totally cool. Epic! I'd be stoked!
This new urban "hardscaping" is the look you get when you live in a "POST NATIONAL COUNTRY" in a "POST COMMUNITY TOWN". Reality is a dream like creation of the local governments consultants idea of what we should be. This is just a form of propaganda... Tofino becomes a parody of itself.
I was fond of the old piles of crab traps, blackberry bushes and pit run gravel , of a bygone era. Add in some rotten wooden hull and some junk cars for a classic look that actually reflected something about peoples lives. We could have exploited that instead...The current look, while smart and upscale, is meaningless, and adrift. When something becomes obsolete it tends to become and art form. When something becomes an art form, it is a sign it is obsolete. Tic the box beside cute bicycle rack.
It will probably take another ten to twenty years before the old look of the Tofino genre is rediscovered and makes a come back. Like an old blues tune, the authentic will always have value. This current crap will look like some sixties orange shag from "Lumber Land" soon enough.....And Tofino will look like a place without a soul, which is what it has become.
There is some fancy new beach parking on Helleson Drive but as per usual observe the poor quality of the asphalt surface of the road. How did they get away with that? Guess we didn't hire a consultant to check on the work? My guess is that it will shortly be like the seal coat job that has turned back to potholes going to the community hall in extremely short order. More money wasted.
Take a walk down 3rd street and observe the poor quality of the patched together asphalt. The shoddy woodwork on Main appears to be done by Mickey Mouse himself.
Shouldn't these public works projects be inspected by either the supervisor of public works, the manager of community sustainability, or the CAO? (or all 3 of them)...... before the cheque gets issued. Who's looking out to see that the taxpayers are getting what they're paying for? These staff members get big salary and expense benefits...... Are they earning it?
Those new 3-way stop signs at 3rd and Main don't work. I just drove up Main Street, sailed right through 'em...... they never slowed me down a bit. Don't forget, only 187 shopping days left 'til Xmas.
went downtown and wanted a coffee at Tofino Sea kayak. Couldn't find parking so they probably wont find my money. Tried for Tofino Fish Store...same story. Parking is a joke. Please solve the offshore parking issue.
i got a ticket
ReplyDeletePerhaps changing a bunch of the existing parking spots into flower gardens would help the situation.
ReplyDeleteif you can't pay the fine don't commit the parking crime!
ReplyDeleteWent downtown to do some business, drove around and around for about 10 to 15 minutes to find a parking spot. Council is so far behind the curve, I don't think they realize how the town is changing and how fast. Bandaids wont accomplish much. Ticketing and beautification wont change much. In one year, two years, at the rate the tourist crowd keeps increasing, the problems will be 50% worse. We need a new plan and bold action now or the town will choke itself....
ReplyDeleteWell brilliance in parking design is destined to help. Losing spaces along Campbell and placing garbage cans and bicycle parking whales tails in spots along Main make so much sense now. But it all looks pretty.
ReplyDeletehttps://tofino.civicweb.net/document/1179/1091%20-%20Traffic%20and%20Parking%20Regulation%20CONSOLIDATED.pdf?handle=670FE83674B74B87B37EC5DF1162ADA4
ReplyDeleteThe map on pg.21 shows "Offshore-Resident Permit Parking Areas" only parking areas downtown. People who live offshore can get a permit (free, I believe) even though they don't pay property taxes or have the ability to vote in this town.
The Manager of Community Sustainability spent years studying & countle$$ hours creating this parking plan.
ReplyDeleteOooh well....
The "Manager of Community Sustainability" spent years studying & countle$$ hours creating his own job. No one seems to know how he qualified to deserve his extreme salary.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why councillors approved this parking plan.
ReplyDeleteWas it to purposely create chaos, to help fulfill their backroom dream of a car/tourist free Tofino ?
If a proper shopping mall was built, perhaps on the vacant land next to the ambulance depot or out around Ocean Park, this could move a lot of the retail traffic away from the downtown core and ease the demand for parking downtown. Also, the offshore residents wouldn't need to travel to Port to shop at Walmart, we could bring Walmart here!....so they wouldn't need to have so many vehicles. This would ease the demand for offshore parking. Tourists would love it, they'd then have "something to do" when it rains. More parking, Amenities, Cheaper Groceries, A Dollar Store, Cineplex, Jobs, Tax Revenue.... TOFINO NEEDS A MALL!!
ReplyDeleteIf a proper shopping mall was built, perhaps on the vacant land next to the ambulance depot or out around Ocean Park, this could move a lot of the retail traffic away from the downtown core and ease the demand for parking downtown. Also, the offshore residents wouldn't need to travel to Port to shop at Walmart, we could bring Walmart here!....so they wouldn't need to have so many vehicles. This would ease the demand for offshore parking. Tourists would love it, they'd then have "something to do" when it rains. More parking, Amenities, Cheaper Groceries, A Dollar Store, Cineplex, Jobs, Tax Revenue, more restaurants, maybe a couple more surf shops.... TOFINO NEEDS A MALL!!
ReplyDeleteO, my God. Councillor Baert is probably having palpitations with the suggestion of a mall. She might loose a couple of customers. It will never happen. Must be a good idea.
ReplyDeleteIf we get a mall, will there be one of those teddy-bear machines where you pick up your prize in the mechanical "claw"? That would be just totally cool. Epic! I'd be stoked!
ReplyDeleteMight as well. Town looking like Disneyland anyway
ReplyDeleteTown looks like Sh:t with all these NO CAMPING signs !
ReplyDelete1 sign when you enter Tofino would've done the trick.... it isn't rocket science.
Now I understand the comments on this blog about "keeping your snout in the through"
Some Vancouver Gonzo Band will come out with a slip shtick song and video....."Parking in Tofino" can be the repetitive refrain to a retro beat....
ReplyDeleteand "we ain't coming back"
ReplyDeleteThis new urban "hardscaping" is the look you get when you live in a "POST NATIONAL COUNTRY" in a "POST COMMUNITY TOWN". Reality is a dream like creation of the local governments consultants idea of what we should be. This is just a form of propaganda... Tofino becomes a parody of itself.
ReplyDeleteI was fond of the old piles of crab traps, blackberry bushes and pit run gravel , of a bygone era. Add in some rotten wooden hull and some junk cars for a classic look that actually reflected something about peoples lives. We could have exploited that instead...The current look, while smart and upscale, is meaningless, and adrift. When something becomes obsolete it tends to become and art form. When something becomes an art form, it is a sign it is obsolete. Tic the box beside cute bicycle rack.
It will probably take another ten to twenty years before the old look of the Tofino genre is rediscovered and makes a come back. Like an old blues tune, the authentic will always have value. This current crap will look like some sixties orange shag from "Lumber Land" soon enough.....And Tofino will look like a place without a soul, which is what it has become.
3:25, Couldn't have said it better. This place is made of plastic.
ReplyDeleteThere is some fancy new beach parking on Helleson Drive but as per usual observe the poor quality of the asphalt surface of the road. How did they get away with that? Guess we didn't hire a consultant to check on the work?
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that it will shortly be like the seal coat job that has turned back to potholes going to the community hall in extremely short order.
More money wasted.
3:25 That's what happens when your local government tries to control everything.
ReplyDeleteTake a walk down 3rd street and observe the poor quality of the patched together asphalt.
ReplyDeleteThe shoddy woodwork on Main appears to be done by Mickey Mouse himself.
Shouldn't these public works projects be inspected by either the supervisor of public works, the manager of community sustainability, or the CAO? (or all 3 of them)...... before the cheque gets issued. Who's looking out to see that the taxpayers are getting what they're paying for? These staff members get big salary and expense benefits...... Are they earning it?
ReplyDeleteThose new 3-way stop signs at 3rd and Main don't work. I just drove up Main Street, sailed right through 'em...... they never slowed me down a bit. Don't forget, only 187 shopping days left 'til Xmas.
ReplyDeleteHere's a great parking solution. Just leave your vehicle sitting in the middle of the street, and put your 4-way flashers on. Free 15 minute parking!!
ReplyDeletewent downtown and wanted a coffee at Tofino Sea kayak. Couldn't find parking so they probably wont find my money. Tried for Tofino Fish Store...same story. Parking is a joke. Please solve the offshore parking issue.
ReplyDeleteOffshore parking causes all the parking problems. If not for those people, there would be lots of spaces. They should go back to where they came from.
ReplyDelete