The city seems to have been successful in its bid to warn football and soccer fans that bylaw officers would be vigilant in enforcing parking infractions during the two weekend home openers.

Despite large crowds at Lansdowne Park and TD Place, Community and Protective Services Chair Coun. Mark Taylor said there were fewer vehicles ticketed and towed than he expected.

Just before, during and after Friday's sold-out RedBlacks game the city's Green Hornets issued 51 parking tickets and ordered 9 vehicles towed -- eight of them because they were in existing street tow-away zones and one because it was blocking private property.

There were only eight complaints from residents in the Glebe -- three for vehicles parked too long, and three for vehicles on private property.

There was only one complaint about someone selling illegal parking on their own property - which can bring about a rather stiff fine. According to Bylaw and Regulatory Services Chief Linda Anderson it is a violation of the zoning bylaw for homeowners to sell or rent out parking spaces on their property, or to park vehicles on their lawn. Courts could impose a fine of up to $5,000.

According to Taylor, Sunday's Fury game caused even fewer parking problems. There was just one complaint from a resident, nobody was towed and officers issued only four parking tickets.

that game drw more than 14,000 fans to the stadium.

"From my perspective," Taylor said. "I didn't see much congestion. It was busy, but there was circulation. I saw lots of bylaw people, but they were moving around, being proactive."

The councillor was one of those who chose to take the shuttle to both games, boarding the buses from Carleton University.

"It took seven minutes," he said. "I timed it."

doug.hempstead@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @DougHempstead"