12/4/2009 - Are you ready for winter?

Know what you need to know for a safe and fun season!

PARKING BANS
What is a parking ban?
A city-wide parking ban is called when weather impacts the city’s ability to carry out its winter storm operations, which ensure that roads are safe for travel.
When a ban is declared, all vehicles must be off city streets by 6:00 PM or 10:00 PM (depending upon the weather) until 6:00 AM.

How do I find out if there is a ban?
Listen to the radio or watch the local news for announcements.
Go to the city’s website, www.portlandmaine.gov.
Sign Up For Parking Ban Notices.
Sign up for Portland's newsletter to receive information about city events as well as parking bans at Portland Cityline.
Become a fan of Portland Cityline on Facebook.
Get parking ban tweets from PortlandCitylin on Twitter.
Call the parking ban hotline at 879-0300.
Check the Time and Temperature sign for Park Ban.
Traffic signs at various locations in the city will flash “Parking Ban in Effect.”

Where can I park during a ban?
Deering Oaks—on the left hand side of Tennis Court Road
State Street gravel lot—abutting Deering Oaks
Fitzpatrick Stadium parking lot
Hadlock Field parking lot (not the lot between the Expo and Hadlock Field)
All Portland Public School lots except the lot at Rieche School next to the school and playground
Cutter Street lots (off the Eastern Prom)
Beach Street lot accessible from Commercial Street (available at 8:00 PM)
Lot across the street from the International Marine Terminal on Commercial Street
Vehicles can park at these lots at 5:00 PM and need to be moved by 7:00 AM the morning the ban is lifted.
Many parking garages in the area are open for parking bans at reduced rates—check with individual garages for rates and hours.

What is a Yellow Zone Ban?
A ban that prohibits on-street parking from Franklin Arterial to State Street and Commercial Street to Cumberland Avenue. Yellow bans go into effect at 10:00 PM and end at 6:00 AM the following morning.

What if my car is towed during a ban?
All cars will be towed to the city’s impound lot located at the Ocean Gateway International Marine Terminal's gated parking lot at 40 Commercial Street (774-3025).
Vehicle owner must pay a $70 tow fee, $25 impound fee, $30 ticket fee, and all unpaid parking tickets.

SNOW REMOVAL
Do I need to clear the snow/ice from the sidewalk in front of my home or business?
Yes, the city has rules in place requiring property owners to remove snow and ice from their sidewalk within 24 hours after a storm (For more information, you can review Portland Code of Ordinances, Chapter 25, Sec. 25-173).
Emergency personnel, mail carriers, school children and pedestrians count on your help keeping their walkway safe.
This rule is enforced by city personnel with priority placed on sidewalks located within the Peninsula or in front of commercial businesses.
School routes and many sidewalks located downtown are cleared by city personnel. To view a map of these routes, click here.

People can pick up two bucket fills of a sand and salt mix at the Deering Oaks parking lot next to State Street.

What do I do if I see a sidewalk that needs to be cleared?
Talk to your neighbor. Some people need help or don’t know about the rule. Neighbors helping neighbors is an important part of our community and an easy way to fix the problem.
If that does not work, you can call 874-8793 to report the specific property. City personnel will then investigate based upon the priorities mentioned above. If the property is in violation, it will be noticed. The owner will then have 24 hours to clear the sidewalk.

How can I help out this winter?
Adopt your neighborhood fire hydrant and keep it clear of snow and ice.
Volunteer for the FREE Senior Snow Shoveling Project, call 774-7616 or send an email for more information.
Park as close to the snowbank/curb as possible. Streets must be passable for plows and emergency vehicles.
During bad weather, voluntarily park your vehicle off street even if there is no parking ban.

FUN WINTER ACTIVITIES
Where can I cross-country ski or snowshoe?
Capisic Pond Park
Evergreen Cemetery Woods
Mayor Baxter Woods
Oatnuts Park to Presumpscot River Preserve
Ocean Avenue/Quarry Run
Payson Park
Riverside Golf Course
Riverton Trolley Park

Where can I sled or snowboard?
Riverside Golf Course
Payson Park Sledding Hill
Eastern Promenade Hill

Where can I ice skate?
Deering High on Ludlow Street
Deering Oaks Park Pond
Nason’s Corner/Breakwater School Pond
Payson Park
Riverside Golf Course
Portland Ice Arena

Download the city's winter flyer.