Congestion results in Old Town parking fee

Starting immediately there will be a $2 charge to park in the Leonis Adobe Museum parking lot on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Officials from the museum in Old Town Calabasas said the fee was necessary due to the high demand for parking from the adjacent Farmer's Market. The fee will be used to pay for parking lot attendants.

Museum executive director Susan Eastman said there had been numerous incidents involving the Saturday Farmer's Market patrons that caused hazardous conditions.

"We discussed the situation with representatives of the Farmer's Market who have witnessed the chaos and agreed that something had to be done," Eastman said.

"Unfortunately, when people pull in to park they will sometimes wait for a close space, causing other cars behind them to back up onto Calabasas Road creating quite a dangerous bottleneck," Eastman said.

She said the situation had gotten "out of control" and that the fee was necessary to ensure the safety of patrons.

One attendant will take the fee and another will direct traffic.

The museum, at 23537 Calabasas Road in Old Town, is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.