Claremont Parking Lots Begin to Pay Down Cost of Park Construction

Claremont’s Hillsides Wilderness Park’s new parking lot opened just over a week ago. And for those who have not already gone, remember to take your wallet.

To pay for the lot construction and ongoing park maintenance, meters have been installed in the north and south parking lots, Claremont City Manager Tony Ramos recently wrote in his weekly update city update.

Claremont park users do have the option of buying a parking permit for the lots on North Mills Avenue. Cars parked in the two lots serving the Wilderness Park will need a resident, annual visitor or daily-metered permit to avoid citation, Ramos said.

“No Parking” signs were installed on Mills Avenue north of the Fire Station and Mt. Baldy Road. The no parking signs and park hours are being enforced, Ramos said.

Resident and annual visitor permits are available at City Hall and the Alexander Hughes Community Center. The permit application is available on the city website and may be filled out and brought to City Hall or the Alexander Hughes Center.

To receive a resident permit, City of Claremont residents must fill out an application and show proof of residency. Acceptable proof of residency may be a vehicle registration, utility bill, car insurance policy, lease agreement or driver's license.

Each household is entitled to two permits. Permits allow residents to park in the Thompson Creek Trail parking lot on the northeast corner of Mills Avenue and Mt. Baldy Road. Resident permits are free with proof of residency and are valid until December 31, 2015.

Residents in the unincorporated county areas need to purchase an annual visitor permit. The pass allows them to park in the Claremont Hillsides Wilderness Park and Thompson Creek Trail parking lots. Annual Visitor Permits can be renewed each January and are pro-rated, officials said.

The cost of an annual visitor parking pass is $75 through June 1 when the price drops to $50 through Oct. 1. From Oct. 1 to Jan. 1 drops to $25.

Parking permit decals must be placed in the lower corner of the vehicles' rear window on the driver's side of the car and must be clearly visible. Failure to display a parking permit when parking in the metered lots will result in a parking citation, officials said.

Construction began on the northern parking lot expansion over the summer and the lot opened March 22, officials said.