Haddonfield Today 136_2023Nov03_Parking

26 | haddonfield.today 

Parking Survey 

Want data? Start here! 

› The Haddonfield commissioners say they are 

“very data driven” and won’t make any changes to 

the new parking scheme until they’ve reviewed the 

data. Here’s a good start! Basis = 200 responses. 

#136 • NOVEMBER 3 TO 24, 2023 

Q1 

› Your home ZIP Code? 

n Haddonfield = 83% 

n Cherry Hill = 5% 

n Elsewhere = 12% 

Q2 

› Do you want 

the Haddonfield 

Commissioners to 

restore free parking on 

Saturdays? 

n Yes = 97% 

n No = 3% 

See comments > 

Q3 

› Generally, which type 

of device do you prefer 

using to pay for parking? 

n Parking meters = 68% 

n Parking kiosks = 7.5% 

n Parking apps (on 

smartphone) = 24.5% 

Q4 

› Generally, which 

method of payment do 

you prefer using to pay 

for parking? 

n Coins at meter or 

coins/notes at kiosk = 

62% 

n Credit/debit card at 

meter or kiosk = 15% 

n Credit/debit card on 

smartphone app = 23% 

The six respondents (3%) who 

answered “No” to Q2 commented: 

Response 103 – I’m ok with 

parking M-Sa but 9am - 5 or 6pm. 

And near the Borough, schools, 

and post office there should be 

quick cheap parking. 

109 – I’d rather have free 12 

minutes and smaller increments 

of parking than free Saturdays. 

(I hate new minimum of $1 plus 

a whopping .35 fee for use of 

required app!!!). I’d rather not use 

kiosk or app frankly but very little 

hope of reversal. 

140 – I don’t really mind paying; 

it’s the method that is so annoying. 

165 – No comment 

172 – I don’t mind having to pay 

to park, especially as it’s a minimal 

amount. BUT I wish we used the 

same system as neighboring 

Collingswood and Philadelphia. 

I wish the town had been more 

transparent about the changes 

before they occurred. And I REALLY 

miss the 12 minute grace period 

for quick stops (EG picking up my 

kids from classes, grabbing dry 

cleaning, food take out, etc). 

174 – Allow payment for 15 and 

30 minutes increments 

Q5 

› Do you find it easy 

or difficult to use a 

smartphone to pay for 

parking? 

n I don’t have a 

smartphone = 3.5% 

n I don’t want to use my 

smartphone to pay for 

parking = 29% 

n Very easy = 8% 

n Easy = 15% 

n Straightforward but 

annoying = 25.5% 

n Difficult = 13% 

n Very difficult = 6%


Basis = 200 Responses 

Q6 

› Do you find it easy or 

difficult to use a kiosk to 

pay for parking? 

n I don’t want to use a 

kiosk to pay for parking 

= 25% 

n Very easy = 4.5% 

n Easy = 10.5% 

n Straightforward but 

annoying = 39.5% 

n Difficult = 15% 

n Very difficult = 5.5% 

haddonfield.today | 27 

Q7 

› Have you had trouble 

finding or getting to a 

kiosk? 

n I don’t want to use a 

kiosk to pay for parking 

= 28% 

n Yes = 55.5% 

n No = 16.5% 

Q8 

› To run a quick errand, 

have you skipped paying 

for parking? 

n Yes = 66.5% 

n No= 8.5% 

n No, but I might = 25% 

Q9 

› Since pay-topark 

on Saturdays 

was introduced in 

Haddonfield, have 

you chosen to shop 

elsewhere on Saturdays? 

n Yes = 56% 

n No= 14% 

n No, but I might = 30% 

Q10 

› Generally, how do you 

feel about the new payto-park 

days and hours 

(Mon-Sat, 9am-8pm)? 

n Love it = 0.5% 

n Like it = 0% 

n Accept it = 6% 

n Dislike it = 32.5% 

n Hate it = 61%




So ... What do you really think? 

› On Mon Oct 23, we posted a 10-question survey on our petition site. Pie 

charts for the 200 responses received as of 2:18pm on Wed Nov 1 are presented 

on pages 26 and 27. 

More than 120 respondents recorded comments – about 3 of every 5. The 

first 90 or so are published below, unedited (typos and all), in the order they 

were received. 

We do not have space here to publish all of the comments we received, but 

you can read them on Haddonfield[dot]Today. Scan the QR code n. 

_______________________ 

RESPONSE 001 – Free parking on Saturdays and weekdays until 5:00 (five) PM. 

002 – Very unfriendly 

004 – The Mayor and two other Commissioners have severely damaged businesses in Haddonfield. It’s 

completely unacceptable their nonchalant behavior when questioned. 

005 – Simply return to the longstanding, historic, business supporting coin meter and day/timeframe 

007 – Even when it was free on Saturday so many people paid because it was never posted anywhere. Your 

patrons deserve a break! The money they spend at the stores and restaurants come back as taxes anyway. 

010 – It’s not feasible to pay for a full hour of parking & go through all of the hassle with a kiosk or app if you’re 

just running into the post office to drop off a package for 1 minute, or running into a restaurant to grab takeout. 

011 – Parking is difficult, especially if you have handicapped plates, and particularly at the Post Office. 

012 – With every concept & decision related to parking, please keep the following at the forefront of your mind: 

disabled & elderly people (both often the poorest people) will be excluded from necessary shops like grocery 

stores & pharmacies if parking policies aren’t sympathetic to them. Some states allow disabled placard holders 

to have free metered parking. If in those places, metered parking is removed for kiosk parking, that takes away 

something very important to people having a rough time in life. Please make sure that whatever parking 

scheme is chosen, that it doesn’t make things harder for those whom life has already kicked around & that the 

state has recognized, lawfully, as worthy of exception. Thank you for your consideration. 

013 – On Thursdays my wife and I used to dine in Haddonfield after work. We don’t anymore. We stop at the 

Haddon Diner with feee parking. 

014 – I go to stores like Target instead of going into town when I remember the kiosk. I don’t go to the library 

often except for 2 min trips when I avoid the horrible kiosks 

016 – NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE 

017 – Extending to 8 pm is frustrating and cumulatively expensive when attending events or running in to grab 

takeout downtown in the evening. 

020 – This is the worst decision ever made by the commissioners. After 6:00PM and Saturdays need to be free. 

It’s not fair to the shopkeepers and to those of us who keep this town alive by our support. I had an appointment 

one day and after finding a place to park the app wouldn’t load on my phone. I was late for my appointment 

and parked in the Acme lot, something I never do if I’m not shopping there. Not fair to Acme. Haddonfield is 

already being ruined by the mass tearing down of old houses and replacing them with unsightly monstrous 

houses. This parking situation is making our town less attractive to shoppers and will contort our downfall. 

021 – I would like free first 12 minutes back as well 

023 – While I prefer to use a parking app, I want the ability to choose minutes over a full hour. Much like 

MeterUp allows you to do. 

024 – I think parking meters are a thing of the past, but more Kiosks are needed. Including Saturdays was a big 

mistake for Haddonfield. 

025 – Go back to the old schedule and meters. 

026 – I miss the free 12 min feature on the meters so I could easily run in to pick up dry cleaning etc. I also don’t 

like the fact that people / employees can easily stay in their parking spaces all day. It’s harder to find spots close 

to my destination than it used to be. Finally I help facilitate an evening program downtown once a month. It 

starts at 7:30 pm. I now have to pay for an hour of parking for that 1/2 hour of time. I really don’t like that. 

Scan to read 

ALL 

SURVEY 

COMMENTS 

.


What do you really think? 


RESPONSE 027 – I believe any additional revenue the borough may gain from parking will be offset by the 

lost revenue of local businesses because people will choose to shop elsewhere. It is difficult enough for small 

businesses to compete without local governments making it more difficult for their customers to park in town. 

030 – I don’t hate the idea of the app and kiosks but the hour minimum and. Now Saturdays is insane. I 

shouldn’t need to pay to run into the post office 

031 – Pay to Park up to 5 or 6pm. Let diners dine for free. Bring back the free 15 minute parking at UPS and Post 

Office! 

034 – I cannot even go to the post office without paying to park in the town I live in. I no longer go to any 

business in town. Including daily coffee & the post office. I no longer frequent the small businesses in town 

because of the parking situation and receiving a ticket when I was 3 minutes past my meter time. 

036 – The current app is terrible. I’d prefer parkmobile. 

037 – I am really annoyed than they took away the 15 minute grace period and also that I am forced to pay for 

one hour when I may only need 30 minutes or less . 

039 – The free 12 minutes missing with the app is what is really annoying. I end up having to pay $1.33 

so many times just to run into a store for 5 to 10 minutes, or for something in the evening that used to be 

free, which is adding a tax to get things done in downtown Haddonfield. I live in town, but don’t want to go 

downtown as much now. 

040 – The kiosks half the time don’t even work when you find one. Crossing the street to pay at a kiosk should 

not be. I have lived in Haddonfield half of my life; parking should be free after 6 on weekdays and free on 

weekends. With all of the tax revenue that is generated from million dollar housing being built in Haddonfield, 

parking should be free especially for the residents. Taking away the free 12 minute parking to do quick errands 

or stop in the post office is just absurd. This new parking arrangement was never discussed with the residents 

hurts all who live, work, and enjoy coming to Haddonfield. 

041 – I now avoid Haddonfield businesses I used to patronize due to the parking. Need an alternative for 5 

minute errands. Town residents should have parking stickers for quick errands. We don’t stay long. 

042 – Pulled into Fuji’s parking lot on Saturday for lunch and remembered the Saturday parking fees so we 

drove away and went to Cherry Hill to another restaurant. Wouldn’t mind paying a quarter but $1.35 min 

every time - no way. I’ve paid taxes here for 30 years. This is the worst decision I’ve ever seen made in this town. 

Business owners will suffer. disappointed 

048 – If you are a Haddonfield resident and pay property taxes, parking should be free. A sticker should be 

given out that you can display on your dashboard. We pay enough for living in Haddonfield, parking should be 

free for residents 

049 – I can’t go to Acme anymore. Parking lot is full bc people park there instead of paying. I go to Haddon 

Township Acme. I go to post office in Cherry Hill. Not paying to park when all I need is to put a letter in the mail. 

This mayor forgets she works for us. She isn’t the queen of Haddonfield! I have friends who won’t meet me here 

for lunch or go shopping now. She and her two puppets are ruining this town! I am very angry that we are 

paying for her Communication Officer. I thought lawyers were well spoken and didn’t need someone to speak 

for them!!! Seriously I do not want to live here anymore! If she represents the women vote as much as she says, 

why does she answer to the men in the Democratic Party and do what they tell her!? She needs lessons from 

Tish Columbi!! Totally fed up with her dirty politics! I am very angry! 

052 – I feel it’s bad for businesses in Haddonfield. 

053 – “Remember Milton Shapp? He was the governor of PA who wanted to be remembered for getting rid of 

pay toilets on the PA Turnpike. I still remember him. I used to eat and shop in Haddonfield almost daily. Now I 

only go on Sundays. 

055 – My biggest complaint is the fact that local residents now have to pay $1.35 simply to grab a coffee, run 

into a shop quickly, or drop something at the post office. Residents should have a 15 minute “free” parking 

option on the app. I refuse to pay extra every time I have to go to the post office. That makes mailing packages 

over the course of the year expensive. Residents should have better options. 

057 – I understand the need to charge for parking on Saturdays but I prefer meters. 

059 – I do not mind the parking app, but want the option for less than 1 hour without a fee. The $1.35 for 

a minimum of 1 hour is ridiculous if you are just running into a store for 5-10 mins. There should be another 

option. Maybe 1st 15 mins free.




RESPONSE 060 – Dropping off/picking up my dog at the groomer went from free to $2.70. I could go to a place 

with free parking. I feel this way now about many stores and businesses. If the town needs more revenue, allow 

all residents to pay $20 for a permit, not just seniors. Or, charge the landlords an operations fee for downtown 

services. 

062 – Although this comment does not apply to me personally, the new technology is difficult for seniors and 

people without smartphones. 

065 – Metered parking prevents spots from being filled all day. I think time limits/restrictions of 3 hours should 

be enforced. Encouraging turnover allows for more parking availability and easier parking downtown. The 

township should look into alternatives for extended parking or designate other lots for longer parking and keep 

the street parking restricted. It should also be free on weekends plan and simple. 

066 – VERY inconvenient and annoying are the new parking regulations in Haddonfield 

069 – I liked when paying for parking ended at 5 or 6 pm 

070 – Go back to 9am to 5pm Mon to Fri pay for parking 

071 – There has to be a better way... 

072 – In addition to the change of hours, parking has become even more unfriendly to both residents and 

business owner/employees. Keeping a small business profitable is challenging enough in this town where rent 

is already too high for most businesses, but the town is now making it more menacing for our elderly shoppers, 

quick pick-ups, etc. My mother won’t shop in town anymore (after being a lifelong Haddonfield shopper), 

she has a smart phone but barely knows how to use it. And, as a business owner, it completely stinks getting 

parking tickets when we’re already trying so hard to add value to the town and community. 

074– I do understand why there needs to be paid parking, but I find it somewhat unfriendly as a disabled 

person. I would prefer meters, because they are present where my car is, and I don’t have to wander off to find 

a kiosk, then return with a slip, then move on to my destination. I like the Westmont courtesy 15 minutes free 

meters; often that is plenty of time to get in and out on a brief errand. I do have a smart phone but do not use 

it for any kind of banking; I worked in IT and it’s just a matter of time before hackers will compromise phone 

security to steal funds. You also need to add crosswalks to the 400 block of Haddon Avenue. And you neglected 

to put a kiosk on that block, which causes no end of confusion for shoppers. Haddonfield is not doing any favors 

for these businesses! 

075 – Was a feasibility/cost study done before the installation of the kiosk parking? How long is it projected to 

recoup the investment. 

076 – I have started to use other businesses in other areas because of the inability to pay for short-term (


What do you really think? 


RESPONSE 092 – The meters were so easy, and now I have to spend my time finding a kiosk that might not be 

nearby or convenient to where I parked. If I choose to use the app to pay to park instead, it costs MUCH more for 

the same amount of time if I had used a kiosk. Also the Saturday parking hours have completely deterred me 

from choosing Haddonfield on the weekend for dining or shopping. Why choose to support a town that seems 

to not want any outsiders there? 

094 – As a senior ( 81) I do not do a lot of shopping, but like having free parking after 6p (week-days) for 

dinning in Haddonfield and Saturday free for what little shopping I might wish to do. I DO NOT have a smart 

phone !!! 

095 – I dislike the current parking scan and pay. I just want to drop off and pick my dog up from the groomers. 

Less than 10 mins. I circle the damn lot 3-4 times before a spot comes open. If it’s didn’t love my groomer I would 

shop elsewhere. I prefer coin meters on the Main Street through the center of town. Easy. 

096 – Restore free parking on saturdays and after 6 and 15 minute free parking. 

101 – I have gotten hacked a few times before with pay by phone apps. I tried the Haddonfield one the first 

time and it was glitchy. I also am hating the xtra hours we need to now pay 

102 – Extra .35 convenience fee for app payment is a bit excessive 

103 – I’m ok with parking M-Sa but 9am - 5 or 6pm. And near the Borough, schools, and post office there 

should be quick cheap parking. 

105 – I pay too much in property taxes to have to pay for Sat. parking. It is an insult!!! 

107 – Really miss the 12 minute free. I frequently run to shops to pick up gifts, candy, food. Also, I disagree with 

the change from 6p to 8. Would love to know the difference in revenue. 

108 – If Haddonfield wants people to come WHY are they discouraging them and making it more difficult....as 

if finding a parking space wasn’t difficult enough. Also, why change to 8pm. It made me happy to have to go to 

4 or 5p. Yikes, even most stores are closed by 5p, yet we still have to pay to park. 

109 – I’d rather have free 12 minutes and smaller increments of parking than free Saturdays. (I hate new 

minimum of $1 plus a whopping .35 fee for use of required app!!!). I’d rather not use kiosk or app frankly but 

very little hope of reversal. 

110 – The change in pay-to-park days is a blow to both Haddonfield residents and businesses alike! 

112 – Increasing the pay for parking time (8:00pm) and day (now Saturdays) is a major deterrent to shoppers 

and visitors for coming here to Haddonfield. 

113 – Can residents purchase a parking sticker for the year? Dealing with the app takes longer than the errand I 

have to run most of the time. 

115 – Making people pay on Saturdays is not good for business. Also, making people pay via a smart phone ( 

and load software on phones ) will deter business. This feels greedy to me... 

118 – I know change is a part of life but I do think having to use an app or a phone to pay for parking can be 

VERY difficult for older people and can discourage that age group from frequenting the downtown area. 

119 – With this age of technology it should be easy to add a free parking option for the 12 minutes we all used 

to get for quick errands. We can obviously change the hours and day probably within a day. Getting it it back to 

some happy medium for everyone should be very easy. 

120 – Bring back the option for free 12 minute parking! Lots of times I zip into town to pick something up, or 

drop off a package at the post office, now I have to pay $1.35 each time for a full 1 hour, when all I need is 5 

minutes. GREEDY! Also, my wife got a parking ticket for the 1st time in 30 years of living here, all because the 

app confused her, she thought she was all set, but hadn’t fully hit the confirm button in the app. As a result of 

the new paid Saturday parking, my wife use to say cheerfully that she’s running into town to shop for gifts, now 

she’s been opting to skip downtown and shop online. Lastly, it’s not very inviting to our out of town shoppers. 

121 – My stores sales are down 30% in October. These new parking stipulations are brutal. 

122 – Commissioners will host the downtown businesses free parking on Sat and Sunday and after 6 

124 – The old meters were charming and fit the look of the town. The new signs are cheap looking. Not easy to 

use for older people 

128 – Paying for parking after 6PM most negatively impacts the downtown restaurants disproportionally.




RESPONSE 131 – The rollout - and fallout - of this new system has been handled so poorly that I am sincerely 

questioning the commissioners’ transparency and competency. Either they don’t understand their constituents 

or they think we are a bunch of compliant dopes. 

132 – Often I need to park on King’s Highway just to pick up a take out order that I have called in. I typically 

go after 6 pm but before 8 pm. It is nuts that I should have to pay for a 10 minute park, and try to find a kiosk 

on top of it. Or at the post office to drop off a package - also about 10 minutes. The previous meters with 12 

minutes free were perfect for this. I will most likely start ordering take out only at restaurants with parking lots. 

133 – This new policy has caused me to shop other places. I liked to just park and wander around. I’d pay at a 

meter, but don’t feel like finding the kiosk. 

135 – $1.35 per hour with only an hour option to run errands in town is taking advantage of residents. We 

have kids that we drop off and pick up at art class etc. I’m paying $2.70 each day to drop off and pick up! We 

used to get free 12 minutes to do quick errands. It’s also ludicrous that to use the app you don’t have a 15 minute 

option or 30 minutes. It’s ludicrous that the app company is charging a 35% up charge on a dollar to park w 

each transaction. The town is overpaying. This is not a sustainable solution for residents. I grew up here. I’m 

beyond irritated. You took it way too far. Bring back free 12 minutes, to pick up your mail at post office, to pick 

up your kids. Provide a 15 and 30 minute option. And stop up charging 35% on $1.00. 

138 – Free parking everyday means more $ to the merchants who are already paying ridiculous rent. 

139 – I could live with Saturday parking and extended hours. However, I feel Haddonfield residents should have 

the option of paying an annual flat fee ($40?) instead of pay per park. 

140 – I don’t really mind paying; it’s the method that is so annoying. 

141 – I know longer shop in Haddonfield (other than at the Acme), nor do I go to restaurants in town. Why? 

Because it is too difficult to park. 

145 – I’m typically fine with using a parking app and been around. Princeton does a good job- meters but 

you can also pay by app. But it’s obvious our town went for the lowest bidder or a friend/family member . 

HORRIBLE system, the signs haphazardly affixed to old meter poles are an eyesore and out of character for our 

quaint town, app is horrible - everyone is struggling. The hours to now pay does not support Retailers or the 

community. Just downright greedy. The free first few courtesy minutes are sorely missed by the community. A 

total fail! 

147 – Liked the 9am - 5pm, Mon - Fri 

149 – The town was collecting enough money from people paying at meters when it was free. Now that they 

took away parking, many of my clients who live in town won’t shop or eatdue to the difficulty parking and they 

don’t feel like paying. They say they pay enough in taxes already 

150 – The manner in which the change to parking was done was underhanded. To not only change the whole 

system but then the time frame is maddening. I think the commissioners have forgotten that to be effective 

people care about speeding, quality of the roads, and services like garbage and leaf/snow removal. Instead, the 

mayor in particular seems bent on an agenda that is not moving the town forward. She has brought a level of 

divisiveness and this parking situation exemplifies how out of touch she and the team at Borough Hall are. 

Read all comments on Haddonfield[dot]Today. Scan the QR code n. 

Scan to read 

ALL 

SURVEY 

COMMENTS 

. 

Peeved about parking? Three things you can do: 

› 1: Contact the Commissioners: 856-429-4700 

Mayor Colleen Bianco Bezich cbbezich@haddonfield-nj.gov x 317 

Commissioner Kevin Roche kroche@haddonfield-nj.gov x 316 

Commissioner Frank Troy ftroy@haddonfield-nj.gov x 318 

› 2: Sign the Petition: › 3: Take the Survey: 

Go here: chng.it/54CZ4j8NDy Having reached 200 responses to the survey 

or scan the QR code: 

one day before this issue was due to go to 

press, and noticing that the pie charts for 200 

Help push 

responses varied little from those for the first 

it past 2,500 100 responses, we decided to pause the survey. 

names! 

Thank you to all who participated!

Haddonfield Today 136_2023Nov03_Parking

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