As regular visitors to Duluth, we have watched the progression from free parking in the Canal Park area to pay parking lots and free on-street parking if you could find a spot to the most recent: paying to visit Duluth's Canal Park area.
In a visit in June, considering ourselves lucky to find a spot at the curb (the pay lot was blocked off), we had our lunch, shopped and enjoyed the museum as usual -- only to find a $12 ticket on our car. Not being aware of the change to parking policy, and not looking skyward to see the signs, we paid dearly for that stop.
On a return visit (yes, we're optimists) we stood in a long line in the sun to pay up at one of the new parking kiosks. We suspect there was a line because another kiosk was out of order. We had lunch, shopped, unexpectedly met with some old friends, and took some time visiting, using up all our precious parking time. We had to quickly end our conversation, skip the shopping and leave. Being in our 70s, walking all the way back to plug the pay meter didn't seem friendly to us, so we chose to leave.
We haven't minded paying for parking, but standing in line in the heat to do so? Not!
I realize all cities are feeling the economic crunch. We visitors become a source of revenue. But does Duluth want our business or not? We have loved visiting the area, but it isn't very friendly or easy anymore.
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Del and Barbara Woese
Merrifield, Minn.
