‘And They’re Off’ Meters Shut Down as Paid Parking Ends

While the horse racing season may have ended the previous day, residents of Saratoga Springs still heard the famous call one more time. 

It didn’t come from a race announcer at the track but rather Public Works Commissioner Chuck Marshall who said the famed line while putting a sign on a parking meter marking the end of the paid parking season in Saratoga Springs. 

Marshall, along with representatives from the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association and Discover Saratoga highlighted the changes in a media event outside the Woodlawn Avenue Garage. 

The event marked the end of program’s second year. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, visitors to Saratoga Springs could either park on the street for free or pay $2 an hour to park in one of the city’s parking garages or flat parking lots. For those parking overnight, the fee was $12. 

Todd Shimkus, President of the Saratoga Chamber, talked about how things have changed with the parking situation over the last 15 years. While in the past, Shimkus said the complaint had been there hadn’t been enough parking in Saratoga Springs, the city has changed that. 

“I got emails all summer and in the holiday season from folks around the world who complained about not enough parking,” Shimkus said. “Right here, we’ve got 450 more spaces. You look over at the city center, we’ve got 500 more spaces there. I don’t get those emails and calls anymore. We have enough parking. So, parking for us is really about whether it’s paid or not.”

The paid parking program hasn’t been without its critics. During his campaign, Commissioner Marshall voiced his opposition to the program and maintained that opposition during Tuesday’s event. 

“I ran originally as an opponent of paid parking, and I remain an opponent of paid parking,” Marshall said.  “We’re looking at revenues now that look to not quite meet the budgeted expectation, but certainly more than they’ve seen in the past. We’ll evaluate, and reconsider as we develop the 2026 budget.” 

In a recent City Council meeting, Marshall had proposed ending the paid parking program two days early; however, that proposal failed with all other members voting against it. 

Marshall said that the program had been budgeted to bring in $465,000 in revenue but that actual revenues from the program were just over $400,000. This lack of projected revenue has led to some changes in how the money is distributed, according to Marshall. Deann Devitt, President of the Downtown Saratoga Business Association echoed this and said her organization had been working with the city on alternate strategies. 

“Obviously, revenues haven’t been where the city wanted them to be,” Devitt said “The idea of that was to take some of the revenues to put into marketing our downtown. But it hasn’t worked out, so we’ve worked with Chuck to come up with some other really great opportunities for us.”

Some of those ideas include using the revenue for Christmas decorations and covering fees for events.

While paid parking may be gone for most of the city’s lots, there are two notable exceptions. Parking at the library will still require a library-issued permit and parking at the City Center garage will still require payment. 

While the paid parking program may face changes in the coming months, Marshall emphasized that for now residents can enjoy over 260 days of free parking in the city. 

“Free public parking until Memorial Day of 2026,” Marshall said.  “I hope everyone enjoys downtown and all it offers.”