Should South End Residents Get to ‘Hold’ Their Parking Spots?
In the wake of the Blizzard of 2013, parking has become unbelievably difficult between the city’s parking ban, the shrinking of streets to one-lane roads, and the 10-or-more-foot high and five-foot deep piles of snow that line the streets. Bostonians all know of the tradition in the city that when you shovel out a parking spot, you can “hold” that parking spot with a chair, trash barrel or other object for up to 48 hours after the parking ban ends. Proponents say that the ban encourages people to do a good job clearing out their spot, knowing their hard work won’t go to waste as soon as they move their car. Opponents say that you can’t claim a parking spot as “yours” just because you parked there before the blizzard. What’s your personal policy? Is there anywhere to park, between the South End’s parking ban, the huge snow piles in the neighborhood, and the spot savers? Is it your right to a parking spot after you put in the sweat and manpower necessary to clear it out? Should the city do anything to discourage this behavior? Which streets in the South End area have the highest number of “saved” spots? Let us know in the comments below. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch