Needham Extends Free Meters To Encourage Local Shopping

NEEDHAM, MA — Parking in Needham just got easier for the rest of the year — the Select Board voted Tuesday night to extend the free parking meter program in town for the remainder of 2020.

The decision is part of the town's initiative to support local businesses. In order to ensure that the metered spaces remain available to shoppers and diners, the town will strictly enforce the two-hour limit.

“It is our hope that by extending the free meter program for the rest of the year, we can make it easier for the public to visit the many great businesses we have in town during a time when they need it the most,” said Select Board member Marianne Cooley. “We respectfully ask the public to limit their parking to two hours so that the greatest number of people may enjoy our restaurants and shops.”

The town offers free 2-hour parking year-round in the Municipal Parking lots located in the downtown area on Chapel Street, Chestnut Street, Lincoln Street and Dedham Ave. Additionally, non-permit holders are permitted to park for free in permit spaces after 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. A map of the lots can be viewed here.

The free meter program is just one of several initiatives undertaken by the town to support local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The town launched “Dine Around Needham,” a progressive dinner series to encourage local dining; created outdoor dining spaces on town properties; partnered with the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber on the Needham 100 Day Challenge and “Shop Local” banner campaign, worked with restaurants to create and expand patio spaces, reduced liquor license renewal fees and more.