Ottawa's beloved ByWard Market is one of the city's most visited neighbourhoods, but finding — and paying for — parking has long been a source of frustration for drivers. A new system at the 70 Clarence St. parking garage is changing how that works, and reactions from drivers are mixed.
What Is Park-and-Display?
The 70 Clarence St. garage has rolled out a park-and-display system that gives drivers a three-hour parking window. Under the new setup, drivers pay at a kiosk and receive a ticket to display on their dashboard — a model that's common in other Canadian cities but relatively new to this particular garage.
CBC's Jodie Applewaithe spoke with drivers navigating the change, and while some appreciated the simplicity, others were still getting used to the new process after years of a different routine.
Why the Change?
The shift to park-and-display is designed to improve turnover in a high-demand area. The ByWard Market draws locals and tourists year-round — whether they're grabbing a coffee, hitting the weekend farmers' market, or catching dinner at one of the neighbourhood's many restaurants. A three-hour cap encourages quicker visits and frees up spots for more drivers throughout the day.
For short trips — picking up groceries, popping into a shop, or a lunch outing — three hours is likely more than enough. But for those planning a longer evening out, it's worth keeping the time limit in mind or looking for alternative parking options nearby.
Tips for Parking in the ByWard Market
If you're heading to the Market and planning to use the 70 Clarence St. garage, here's what to keep in mind:
- Grab your ticket right away. The park-and-display system requires a visible ticket on your dash — don't forget to display it after paying at the kiosk.
- Budget your time. Three hours goes faster than you think, especially if you're shopping, eating, and browsing. Plan your visit accordingly.
- Know your alternatives. There are several other parking options in and around the Market, including the Art Garage lot and street parking along Dalhousie and William streets. The City of Ottawa's parking map is a handy resource.
- Consider transit or cycling. The ByWard Market is well-served by OC Transpo routes, and there are designated bike parking spots throughout the area — particularly useful during warmer months when the neighbourhood gets busy.
The Bigger Picture
Parking in dense urban neighbourhoods is always a balancing act between accessibility for drivers and keeping spaces available for as many visitors as possible. The ByWard Market, which has been at the heart of Ottawa life since 1826, continues to evolve — and so does the infrastructure around it.
Whether you're a regular or an occasional visitor, the three-hour park-and-display system at 70 Clarence is a reminder that a little planning goes a long way when heading into one of Ottawa's busiest corridors.
Source: CBC Ottawa / Jodie Applewaithe. Original report at cbc.ca.
