OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford There was a confusing signage situation Thursday near the Dunkirk Boardwalk and Pier. A new sign, left, designates parking spots for customers of the Boardwalk and nearby 64 on the Pier. In the center, a sign says parking — presumably in the gravel lot ahead — is for Marina users. At right is a barrel that previously sectioned off the lot for 64 on the Pier users only.

The city of Dunkirk has erected six new signs near the pier in response to persistent parking problems.

The Boardwalk, Marina and the new 64 on the Pier are proving quite popular this summer and that means many people who want to visit are shut out of parking places. The spaces in front of the Boardwalk and 64 on the Pier are often filled up in the afternoons and evenings. Demetri’s restaurant, across the street from the Boardwalk and featuring outdoor patio seating this time of year, is popular in its own right and keeps its parking lot signed off for itself.

There is also parking available in a gravel lot next to and behind the Boardwalk, but that is supposed to be for people using the Marina only.

After the lack of parking came up during a Common Council meeting Tuesday, city workers put up six signs in the lot directly adjacent to 64 on the Pier, which read, “Reserved parking 64 on the Pier and Boardwalk customers only! Vehicles will be towed at owners’ expense.”

Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas said Thursday afternoon the signs came out of an agreement with Charles Pringle, leaseholder of both 64 on the Pier and the Boardwalk. He said Pringle, not the city, technically controls the lot.

“We believe boaters are taking the spots and going out on the lake,” Rosas said. He said the spots have now been designated for people visiting the nearby establishments because “that’s what those spots are supposed to be there for.”

As of Thursday afternoon, the lot was still sectioned off with barrels and ropes, with signs on the barrels stating parking was for 64 on the Pier users only, with no mention of Boardwalk business visitors. Rosas said the barrels would be coming down after the Music on the Pier event Thursday night.

The parking situation in the area had the notice of Common Council member James Stoyle on Tuesday.

In response to a request from 64 on the Pier to use a refrigerated vending truck, Stoyle said, “Until we get this parking situation straightened out down there, I’m going to be voting no on this thing. They seem to believe they own the end of the pier. To me, that’s all leased property. The people in the Boardwalk are, to say the least, ticked off. If we get this parking thing straightened out, I’d be glad to sponsor this thing.”

The truck use request wound up getting tabled, with Rosas and Councilman Don Williams asserting that any vending truck service in the pier area should be bid out to other businesses.

Later in the meeting, Councilman-at-large Paul VanDenVouver spoke about complaints over the use of the barrels and ropes to section off the lot.

“(Police) Chief (David) Ortolano and I and the rest of the council have been getting bombarded with phone calls about the parking signs and stuff like that down there and they’re taking away signs from … everyone’s business,” he said.

He asked Rosas to comment on how the city administration was working with the lease holder. Rosas noted how Pringle had agreed to the signs allowing Boardwalk customers to park in the area.