UPDATE: Council Approves $3 Charge, Increases Annual Parking Pass From $50 to $100 for Wilderness Park

UPDATE, July 25, 12:30 p.m.: The Claremont City Council approved the parking meter contract at it's meeting last night, pushing the $3 charge for a four-hour parking stay forward.

However, the council also voted to amend the ordinance slightly, increasing the annual parking pass from $50 to $100.

July 24 - The Claremont City Council will review the plans to install parking meters at the northern parking lot of the Claremont Wilderness Park at its meeting tonight, including a proposal by the city manager's office to charge $3 for a four-hour stay for visitors.

City Manager Tony Ramos has said that the $3 charge will help pay off the $344,644 cost of the new parking lot planned for the entrance to the park in about two years.

The parking lot has been intended to help staunch the flow of visitors to the park who have been using Mills Avenue as a pedestrian pathway. Residents of nearby neighborhoods have recently complained to the city council of safety risks and constant noise.

Council Member Sam Pedroza said in a council meeting earlier this month that nearly 300,000 people visited the park in 2011. 

The council will also award the contract for installing the parking meters to Pacific Parking Systems, Inc., who will charge the city $33,183 for its work.