Beginning Friday, June 4, 2021, the City of Orillia’s COVID-19 Waterfront Parking and Boat Launch Program comes into effect.
The program will be in place on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Sept. 12 and allows City of Orillia residents and taxpayers to park and launch their boats for free by displaying their resident parking permit, but requires visitors to pay $50 to park and $50 to launch their boat. Participating surrounding township residents can park for free, with the purchase and display of a $50 seasonal permit administered by their respective township. The Chippewas of Rama First Nation have opted for a $.50 per resident contribution.
“We have made great strides in the fight against COVID-19 with more people getting vaccinated every day, but we aren’t out of the woods yet. With the health and safety of everyone visiting our parks top of mind, we have re-implemented the COVID-19 Waterfront Parking and Boat Launch Program in order to help manage crowding and discourage travel to Orillia as we work through the province’s Roadmap to Reopen,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “Council values residents from surrounding communities and is very pleased that through strong partnerships and collaboration with our neighbouring Councils we were able to put a program in place to include residents from Oro-Medonte, Severn, and Ramara Townships and the Chippewas of Rama First Nation.”
Parking and launching a boat are free for everyone regardless of residency from Monday to Thursday, with the exception of Canada Day (July 1), the Civic Holiday (Aug. 2) and Labour Day (Sept. 6).
The locations included in the COVID-19 Waterfront Parking and Boat Launch Program are Couchiching Beach Park, Centennial Park, Veterans’ Memorial Park and J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park lots and surrounding streets and the Couchiching Beach Park and Collins Drive boat launches.
As recommended by the Downtown Orillia Management Board, the City of Orillia is returning to regular paid parking in municipal pay and display parking lots within the downtown when the Province enters Step 1 of the Roadmap to Reopening.
While the COVID-19 Waterfront Parking and Boat Launch Program is in effect, residents must display their resident parking permit on the driver’s side dash of their vehicle while parking at the locations listed above.
For residents who have not yet requested a resident parking permit, please visit orillia.ca/parking and fill in the Resident Parking Permit Request Form. Proof of residency is required and parking permits are tied directly to a vehicle’s licence plate number. Permits will be issued by email. There is no opportunity for residents to get a parking permit in-person. The City of Orillia is unable to assist residents with the printing of their permits at this time. Residents who do not have access to the internet can have someone fill out the Resident Parking Permit Request Form on their behalf.
To request a permit or for more information, please visit orillia.ca/parking. Questions or concerns related to obtaining a resident parking permit can be directed to waterfrontparking@orillia.ca or by leaving a voicemail at 705-325-2998.
Neighbouring Community Residents
This summer, neighbouring residents from Oro-Medonte, Severn, and Ramara Townships can opt to purchase a seasonal permit for Orillia waterfront parks and boat launches from their respective townships for a one-time fee of $50 per vehicle (plus administrative fees if applicable). The seasonal permit is separate from township permits, has both municipalities’ logos and must be obtained through the townships directly.
- Oro-Medonte residents: Please visit oro-medonte.ca and click on the resident parking permit information link to request your permit.
- Severn residents: Please visit severn.ca/parking to request your permit.
- Ramara residents: Please visit ramara.ca/parking to request your permit.
- Chippewas of Rama First Nation residents: Please contact the Rama First Nation Lands Department at 705-325-3611 to receive your parking permit.
Seasonal permits must be displayed on the driver’s side dashboard of the vehicle and must show the corresponding licence plate number.
Visitors to Orillia
Visitors to Orillia will have to pay a $50 flat rate per day to park their vehicle at waterfront parks and $50 to launch their boats. Boat launch permits can be purchased at both the Couchiching Beach and Collins Drive boat launches.
Visitor parking for Couchiching Beach Park, Centennial Park and Veterans’ Memorial Park is limited to Municipal Lots 8 and 12 and boat trailer parking for this area is restricted to two lots which can be accessed off Tecumseth Street. Visitor parking, boat launch fees and boat trailer parking can be purchased through pay-and-display machines or by using the City’s Passport Parking app.
Residential streets near Couchiching Beach Park and the Collins Drive boat launch will be reserved for those displaying a resident parking permit or seasonal parking permit issued by Oro-Medonte, Severn and Ramara Townships or the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. No visitor parking is allowed in these areas.
Strict parking enforcement will be in place at all parks and surrounding streets and highways.
“During normal times, we would welcome visitors to Orillia with open arms and we certainly look forward to doing that again as soon as possible. At this time, we need to have restrictions in place at our waterfront parks and beaches to create a safe environment as we work our way through the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mayor Clarke.
Although you are encouraged to visit beaches and boat launches close to your home, if you plan to visit a City of Orillia beach or boat launch, please do so safely and responsibly.
- Follow physical distancing guidelines
- Adhere to gathering restrictions
- Practice good hand hygiene and wear a mask when physical distancing is a challenge.
Please follow the COVID-19-related restrictions in place so we can all enjoy these amenities safely.
For more information visit: orillia.ca/parking.