The first car parked beyond the “Local Traffic Only” sign on Oak Bay’s Esplanade, by Willows Beach, has a Quebec licence plate.
On a sunny Friday afternoon, it’s clear people are ignoring the decision by Oak Bay council to restrict access to Esplanade to local traffic. Several cars are parked behind the barricade on the street overlooking Willows Beach. People are coming and going from their cars to the beach with chairs, blankets, towels and sand toys.
Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch said the restrictions were put in place because the Esplanade sidewalk is narrow and vehicles make it difficult for people to walk down the road and keep their physical distance.
“We’re definitely going to keep an eye on it,” Murdoch said. “This is the busy weekend. … Without the parked cars, it’s much more pedestrian-friendly.”
On May 10, the Facebook group Oak Bay Local exploded with irritation when council announced the restrictions. People complained that the restrictions discriminate against the elderly and the disabled. Others described the difficulty of getting to the beach with children, sand toys and beach chairs. Several people posted that “the beach belongs to everyone.”
Murdoch said a lot of people also thanked council for creating more space on the street.
“I was down there and nobody had a complaint about it. They just said how nice it was to have space and walk along there. There will always be a bit of conflict on that space, but we’re going to look at it. We want to make sure we’re providing as much parking and space as possible.”
A number of parking spots have been lost, but more handicapped spots were created in the main parking lot and bicycle lockups have been added, he said.
Murdoch said he realizes some people who don’t have a handicapped-parking sticker but are disabled might not be able to visit the beach if they have to park three or four blocks away.
“But there’s no guarantee in that situation anyway. The Esplanade tends to be the first to fill up if it’s open,” he said.
Murdoch suggested that anyone visiting Willows Beach this weekend take the bus or bike.
Marie LeBlanc sat on a bench wearing a blue sun hat and watching the sun sparkle on the ocean. The 68-year-old said she is in favour of the road closure.
“It’s decreased the traffic quite a bit, which is a good thing for people who are walking. I know people love their cars, but there’s a bus stop 500 yards from the beach,” she said.
A couple sitting on another bench were against the parking closure, saying the beach should be accessible. “I think it’s a shame to close it,” said the woman, who didn’t give her name. “It’s discriminatory.”
“The traffic is still here,” her companion said.
