WESTWOOD — Downtown drivers will notice a splash of green along several curbs this fall as the borough launches a pilot “Grab and Go” parking program aimed at making quick errands easier.
Beginning Sept. 15 and running through Oct. 31, three former loading zones have been converted into 10-minute free parking spaces. Marked by bright green curbs and clear signage, the new zones are designed for brief stops — grabbing a coffee, dropping off dry cleaning, or picking up takeout — without circling for a spot. The 10-minute limit will be strictly enforced, and no loading or deliveries are permitted during the trial.
“Whether it’s a bagel and cup of coffee on the way to work, dropping off dry cleaning, picking up the takeout order on the way home, or running into the post office to mail a letter, convenience makes a difference,” said Mayor Ray Arroyo. “As we look at holistic ways to improve parking throughout the borough, we recognized that the successful pickup zones implemented on the avenue during the pandemic would continue to serve our downtown well if we could somehow strategically place them without sacrificing parking spaces and traffic flow.”
To select the pilot locations, the Parking Utility and Police Department analyzed loading zone usage, vehicle circulation, and pedestrian activity to find spots that could be reclassified without affecting deliveries or safety. The new Grab and Go areas are:
- Center Avenue, north of Westwood Avenue on the east side
- Fairview Avenue, south of Westwood Avenue on the east side
- Madison Avenue, north of Washington Avenue on the east side
“If the pilot program proves successful, we will look at making it permanent in those locations,” Arroyo said.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to share feedback on the program by contacting assistant administrator Karen Hughes at khughes@westwoodnj.gov or 201-664-7100 ext. 149.