Nyack Village Meters Offer Free Parking For 15 Minutes

NYACK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The Village of Nyack has begun offering free parking – but only for 15 minutes.

As WCBS 880's Stephanie Colombini reported, most drivers are familiar with the experience – they park their car, run into a store for just a few minutes, and come out to find pricey parking tickets on their windshields.

Day ruiners like that could become a thing of the past in Nyack now that meters offer 15 minutes of free parking.

Chuck Travers of Koblin's Pharmacy said it is great for business.

"The customers have a chance to be able to just run in and pick up their prescription, because most cases they just need a prescription and nothing else," Koblin said.

Nyack Village Trustee Doug Foster said officials do have some concerns, such as shoppers who might want to cheat the meter and go out every 15 minutes for another free voucher.

"We are going to have to try some creative enforcement techniques to discourage that activity," Foster said.

Mayor Jen Laird-White explained the "Free 15" parking program in a YouTube video.

Nyack parking meters are in effect from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Parking is free on Sundays from 6 a.m. until midnight.

On-street parking is 25 cents for 15 minutes, while parking in village lost is 25 cents for 20 minutes.