Wasaga Beach residents can now park for free at Beaches 1 and 2

Wasaga Beach, Ont. (File)

With summer just around the corner, Wasaga Beach is giving residents more free places to park when they come and enjoy the beach right in their own backyards.

The Town says residents can park for free at Beach Areas 1 and 2. Those parking lots will act like municipal parking lots where residents are covered as long as they have a valid digital resident parking permit.

That permit was just covering the waterfront locations of New Wasaga and Allenwood Beach.

The welcome news for residents comes just intime for a busy summer season ahead for the beach town.

Wasaga Beach Mayor Brian Smith says the initiative is the Town’s way of helping residents in the midst of the affordability crisis.

“Summer in Wasaga Beach is about making memories at the waterfront, and we want residents to be able to enjoy the beach as easily as possible,” said Mayor Brian Smith. “Council introduced free resident parking in 2023 to make it easier and more affordable for residents to enjoy the waterfront, and now we’re expanding that benefit to Beach Areas 1 and 2 for the very first time. At a time when costs are high, this is one small way we can help residents save money, stay close to home, and enjoy more of what makes summer in Wasaga Beach special — from the waterfront and live music to family events and evenings by the beach.”

Tourists can access municipal parking lots by making a digital payment on the Honk mobile app.

Beach Areas 3 to 6 are not included in the resident parking permit program as they are operated by Ontario Parks. That means, for residents and visitors who wish to attend those beaches, they will need daily provincial vehicle permits or season Ontario Parks passes.