Days after approving it, the city of Winter Park has jerked the leash on its plan to implement paid parking at two of its parks — including its very popular dog park along Lake Baldwin.
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During their Sept. 9 meeting, commissioners had unanimously approved launching a six-month pilot program at Dinky Dock Park and Lake Baldwin Park, where the dog park is located.
But a news release from the city sent around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday said it was removing Lake Baldwin Park from the program after staff were made aware of the signed in November 2002. The agreement requires Winter Park and Orlando residents to have equal access, on the same terms, to the parks owned by each entity in the Lake Baldwin area.
“If the pilot program went forward at Lake Baldwin Park, Orlando residents would need to be exempted from the parking fee the same as Winter Park residents, which administratively would be a larger undertaking,” City Manager Randy Knight said in the news release. “As a result of this document and input received from citizens, the city is removing Lake Baldwin Park from the Pay for Parking Pilot Program but will continue to move forward with the pilot at Dinky Dock.”
Dinky Dock is a 1.56-acre year-round park along Lake Virginia with a public fishing pier and boat ramp.
Clarissa Howard, the city’s communications director, said a member of the public reached out to the city late Monday about the agreement. Howard said because the program only got approval to move forward last week, it was still in the research phase.
Lake Baldwin Park, which covers 23.16 acres, is touted by the city as its only “dog friendly” park. Dogs can run free inside its two fenced areas but must otherwise be leashed. Dogs (but not humans) are also allowed to swim in the lake.
Erik Paul, president of the Friends of Winter Park Dog Park, said he was pleased to learn the news.
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“Charging for a service that has always been free seems a little short-sighted of the city, and the reason we partnered with them is to to say, ‘How can we help you to make the park better,’” Paul said. “That’s why the organization exists, to make sure the park remains a park, that it’s open to all, easily accessible and keeps it clean fresh and updated so it doesn’t fall into disrepair.”
The volunteer-run nonprofit organization has supported the park for about three years in partnership with the Parks & Recreation Department. The group raises money for upkeep and supporters are there on a daily basis cleaning up the property.
During the city commission meeting Paul had urged commissioners to reconsider the plan.
“For three years we have worked alongside [Parks & Recreation Director] Jason Seeley and his team, we have raised more than $11,000 since February from the community and contributed countless volunteer hours,” he said. “The people doing the work should be included before paid parking is proposed.”
Commissioners still have many decisions to make about how the program will work before it goes into effect this spring. A proposed ordinance establishing policies on issues such as parking rates and fines for violators is expected to return to them for consideration in October.
Edwige Josue, project manager with the Community Redevelopment Agency, told commissioners during last week’s meeting that staff were recommending two options for pricing: $2-3 per hour with a 12-hour enforcement window from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., or a $20 per day flat-rate.
Residents could park free after registering up to two vehicles per property through an online portal on the city’s website, she said. Vehicles could then be added or removed throughout the year with annual renewal required. Another option was annual permits as a cost savings for frequent visitors to the parks.
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