For those planning a trip to Drumheller in May, you will need to fork out some extra cash. Beginning May 1, the Town of Drumheller will partner with HotSpot to roll out a paid parking program in specific areas throughout Drumheller. 

aadadaFor those planning a trip to Drumheller in May, you will need to fork out some extra cash. Beginning May 1, the Town of Drumheller will partner with HotSpot to roll out a paid parking program in specific areas throughout Drumheller. (Graphic credit to Town of Drumheller) 
 

The paid parking will be in effect between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. daily and will, 'cover a number of parking lots and areas situated on or near tourist attractions.'

The areas included in the paid parking program are: 

  • Badlands Community Facility parking lot 
  • Hoodoos parking lot 
  • Rotary Park (World’s Largest Dinosaur) parking lot 
  • Street parking along Riverside Drive E 
  • Suspension Bridge parking lot
  • Town-owned parking lot on 1 Street E 
  • Town-owned parking lot on 2 Avenue W 
  • Town-owned parking lot on the corner of 2 Street W and Riverside 

"License plate recognition cameras will be used by enforcement patrols in designated paid parking areas and lots. There are no printed passes issued for display in vehicles."

According to the Town of Drumheller, paid parking will be required in select lots, all of which will be indicated by HotSpot Parking signs. The rates are: 

  • Parking Lots: $2.00/hour 
  • Street Parking: $2.50/hour  
  • Day Parking: $20.00/day 

"Individuals with a visible parking placard for persons with disabilities may park in designated disability parking spaces for free. Residents and property owners within the Town of Drumheller will be eligible to apply for a free Residential Parking Permit. These registrations will be managed through HotSpot Parking. Applications can be submitted through HotSpot Parking's website or app," The Town added.

Without a Residential Parking Permit, residents will not be recognized by the HotSpot Parking systems and will be at risk of receiving parking violation tickets if parking in designated paid parking areas. 

"Those who are not residents of Drumheller but have an active membership at the recreation facilities can apply for an exemption for the duration of their active membership."

Drumheller Town Council approved the launching of the paid parking program to, 'generate an otherwise unexplored source of revenue to assist with necessary upgrades and infrastructure maintenance to areas impacted by increased visitors to the Drumheller Valley.'

"The paid parking program is a way that the Town of Drumheller can recover some of the costs to Drumheller taxpayers that are associated with increasing tourism in the Valley," said Drumheller Town Councillor Tom Zariski. "A good example of this is the renovations at the Swinging Bridge. The visitors who want to experience the bridge will be charged for parking at this popular tourist destination, and the money will go to Town expenses associated with the recent renovations."

It is expected that revenue from the program will go towards parking improvements, maintaining and upgrading current roads, as well as general expenses. 

"For example, an approximate amount of $600,000 is necessary to repave the Badlands Community Facility parking lot. The revenue generated from the paid parking program will be put toward costs such as these."

The parking program will run annually from May 1 till October 31. 

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