Downtown Temple Says Goodbye To Free Parking

If you shop or eat in downtown Temple, be prepared to pay as soon as you get out of your car. Pay to Park is on it's way.

Pay to Park Arrives in Temple 

According to KCEN, the City of Temple is in the process of installing pay-to-park equipment, calling it one part of a “long-term downtown parking management strategy.” This follows a controversial attempt a few years ago at instituting a two-hour parking limit downtown.   

Temple Business Owners Have Mixed Feelings 

Some shop owners told KCEN that they are concerned about older shoppers who cannot walk far and the confusion some shoppers may face when dealing with a new payment system. Other business owners are concerned about their employees finding a place to park. Pignetti’s owner Clint Harwell told KCEN that he believes change is inevitable and noted that free parking garages are located nearby. 

The City of Temple Weighs in On the Paid Parking

Temple residents don’t have to worry about being ticketed at this point in time because the parking equipment is still being installed. Temple city officials told KCEN, "The goal isn't to create barriers. It's to improve turnover, increase availability, and make it easier for customers to find convenient parking near businesses."  

What’s Ahead 

More than 150 parking signs will go up in the next several weeks. The city says it will give businesses and the public a heads up on the timeline and parking rules. 

While You Are Downtown, Visit the Library 

If you are spending time downtown, visit the award-winning Temple Public Library. The library was awarded the 2025 Achievement of Excellence in Libraries Award by the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association. Of the 516 public library systems in Texas, only 101 libraries earned this year’s award, placing Temple Public Library in the top 20 percent statewide.