To our wonderful City of Barrie and Members of Council,
On behalf of Namaste North, I am writing to request your consideration in adjusting the Waterfront Parking Permit enforcement on Sanford Street, Vespra Street, and Victoria Street.
For over 13 years, Namaste North has been proud to serve the Barrie community—not only as a yoga and fitness studio, but as an active partner in building a vibrant, healthy, and connected downtown. From supporting local charities like the Barrie Food Bank and Women’s Shelter, to helping organize and participate in events such as Barrie Yogafest, community choirs, and other city initiatives, we strive to foster wellness and community spirit both within our studio and across Barrie. Our own events—like our Summer Sweat Challenge and social gatherings at local businesses—encourage people to experience all that downtown Barrie has to offer.
Many of our students travel from neighbouring communities to attend classes, workshops, and events, often visiting nearby cafés, shops, and services as part of their trip. Unfortunately, we have already had students cancel or suspend their memberships this summer specifically due to parking concerns. Under the current Waterfront Parking Permit system, these visitors are at risk of receiving tickets when parking on nearby streets. While we appreciate that Barrie residents are rightly prioritized through the permit program, these restrictions unintentionally discourage non-resident patrons from visiting downtown and supporting local businesses.
We also recall that in 2020, the City made parking free for a period to help encourage downtown activity and support businesses during a challenging time. This precedent demonstrates the

City’s recognition that parking access and costs can be significant barriers for businesses to overcome. As downtown continues to evolve, we believe a similar spirit of collaboration can help ensure small businesses remain a vital part of Barrie’s growth.
To that end, we respectfully propose:
● Suspend enforcement of waterfront parking restrictions on Sanford, Vespra, and
Victoria Streets to provide greater flexibility for business patrons.
● Designate these streets as mixed-use or time-limited (e.g., 2-hour) parking zones, recognizing their vital role in supporting both residents and businesses.
● Offer a business-partnered accommodation, such as allowing verified students or members of downtown businesses to apply for temporary Waterfront Permits, or issuing a limited number of visitor passes for businesses to provide to their clients.
As a long-standing local business dedicated to promoting health, wellness, and community engagement, we are eager to continue drawing people into downtown Barrie and contributing to its vitality.
We would be happy to meet with City staff or Council members to discuss this further and explore practical solutions.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Zak P.
Operations Manager, Namaste North