Here’s Where NOT to Park in Portland, Maine

Ah, the Old Port—for years, home to cobblestone streets, great food, and, apparently still some of the worst parking jobs in the state. If you’ve spent any time downtown, there is a good chance you have encountered it: an out-of-state car parked like they just gave up halfway through the process.

Case in point—this red Honda from Tennessee, parked outside of Gritty's, casually blocking a crosswalk while its tail end sticks out into traffic. Because why not?

This kind of thing happens way too often, and locals are sick of it. Is it ignorance? Entitlement? Or do these drivers just refuse to acknowledge that parking garages exist? We all know downtown parking in Portland is more limited than ever along with the excess of snow, but that doesn’t mean you can just abandon your car in the middle of everything and call it a day.

Let’s break this down:

• Blocking a crosswalk isn’t just lazy, it’s dangerous. Pedestrians have to dodge traffic because someone didn’t feel like parallel parking properly in a legal parking spot.
• Sticking out into the street? That’s a great way to cause a fender bender—or at least earn the wrath of every driver trying to squeeze past.

So, if you’re visiting our lovely city, take an extra five minutes to park legally. It’s not hard, and the rest of us would really appreciate it. And if you still insist on parking like this? Don’t be surprised when your car gets towed and/or becomes the latest viral shame post.