Verdun parking restrictions leave teachers scrambling for available spaces

Riverview Elementary school staff say that for the past week, they have been left driving for more than half an hour before they have managed to find parking spots several blocks away from the school.

It took teacher Michele Steiner 48 minutes Monday to find a spot — a new record, she said.

She claimed the parking situation on Riverview Avenue in Verdun has gotten so difficult that it is interfering with classes on a regular basis.

“We had to find supervision for the students because I had to be circling for parking,” Steiner said.

READ MORE: New residential parking restrictions on Verdun street frustrate drivers, residents

Teacher Veronica Amar said Steiner is one of many staff caught in this seemingly never-ending search for parking in the area.

Amar, who carpools to work, said more than 30 teachers and staff are left scrambling as the school does not have a parking lot.

“We need to be calm as teachers,” Steiner said.

“We don’t want to be coming into class frazzled after having a stressful day, already. It’s not good for anyone.”

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Vignette parking restrictions implemented in the fall have taken up 30 per cent of the available spots between Bannantyne and Monteith — a 300-metre stretch of street.

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But Amar said the restrictions, along with tardy snow removal operations after last week’s snowstorm, are the reason for the parking issues.

It took the borough eight days to fully clear the street, leaving half of it useable, according to Amar.

She said it is unacceptable for snow removal to take that long, especially in a school zone. Not only was this a nuisance, it was a hazard for children getting off the bus, she added.

“Teachers had to physically take the kids off the bus and put them on the sidewalk to be safe. Now, you know you’re clearing a school zone — all this should be planned ahead of time,” Amar said.

Last fall, letters and even a petition calling for the residential-only parking restrictions to be removed were sent to the borough administration from both staff and people who live in the area.

Residents were notified by the borough and were asked to vote on the impending change in the summer.

Borough councillor Stirling Downey has said in the past that he has been in constant contact with the school principal regarding this issue.

A spokesperson from the Lester B. Pearson School Board, however, says the board was never consulted.

“We understand  staff members are upset about the lack of parking near the school,” Darren Becker told Global News.

“It must be noted that the decision to restrict parking in the area to permit holders was a borough/city decision and the school and school board were never consulted about this decision.”

According to the borough, the decision to convert parking on the street came after requests from residents.

In a statement, the borough said residents were advised months ahead of time and were given the option to vote against the implementation of the parking restrictions.

Concerning snow removal, the borough said it is a “colossal undertaking’ and the “borough does everything it can to ensure the efficiency of snow removal operations,.”

Snow is cleared from streets according to three levels of priority, the borough said.

Major thoroughfares, access to health institutions and schools are at the top of the list.

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Amar says the borough needs to accommodate the school staff.

She and others say they are willing to pay for spaces reserved for teachers if it comes to that extreme.

“We don’t have a choice. It’s a win, win. They get money and we get stress-free parking,” Amar said.

Becker also hopes an agreement can be reached.

“We hope borough officials  can find a way to accommodate the parking needs of school staff, especially during the winter when there are often even fewer parking spots available.”