Should Back Bay Residents Get to 'Hold' Their Parking Spots?

In the wake of the Blizzard of 2013, parking has become unbelievably difficult between the city's parking ban, the shrinking of streets to one-lane roads, and the 10-or-more-foot high and five-foot deep piles of snow that line the streets.

Bostonians all know of the tradition in the city that when you shovel out a parking spot, you can "hold" that parking spot with a chair, trash barrel or other object for up to 48 hours after the parking ban ends. 

Proponents say that the ban encourages people to do a good job clearing out their spot, knowing their hard work won't go to waste as soon as they move their car.

Opponents say that you can't claim a parking spot as "yours" just because you parked there before the blizzard. 

What's your personal policy? Is there anywhere to park, between Boston's parking ban, the huge snow piles in the neighborhood, and the spot savers? Is it your right to a parking spot after you put in the sweat and manpower necessary to clear it out? Should the city do anything to discourage this behavior?

Let us know in the comments below.

Like us on Facebook  | Follow us on Twitter  | Sign up for our newsletter