Petition calls for halt to 'troubling' pay parking expansion at Vancouver attractions

A petition is calling for a stop to the planned expansion of pay parking at several Vancouver community centres and attractions next year.

Vancouver resident Sophie Benzing recently launched the petition, urging supporters to “say no to more parking charges” across the city.

According to Benzing, she was shocked when she heard about the proposed $25 fee for parking at VanDusen Botanical Garden during the 2026 Festival of Lights.

And while the Park Board has approved paid parking at several sites, she is reminding residents that it’s not too late to make their voices heard.

You might also like:
• ICBC freezes basic insurance rates for drivers until 2027
• 10 companies hiring for hundreds of Vancouver jobs this November
• Legendary B.C. broadcaster delights viewers with Global News return

“It’s a jaw-dropping amount, a serious hit to the budget,” Benzing told Daily Hive. “That’s two kids’ meals at White Spot, for example, or it’s a family activity like going bowling. It would be hard to justify spending that much to park a car.”

“The idea of introducing paid parking at community centres is equally troubling. These are places meant for gathering and enjoying social activities. There shouldn’t be a price tag on that.”

The Vancouver Park Board commissioners voted on Monday, Oct. 20, to approve a new parking strategy that will implement a 12-month paid parking pilot at Hillcrest, Kerrisdale, and Trout Lake Community Centres.

Community centre patrons will receive the first three hours of parking for free, with a rate of $3.50 per hour afterwards.

Parking for drivers not using the community centre begins at $3.50 per hour.

There will also be a 12-month paid parking pilot at Langara Golf Course, as well as a one-month paid parking pilot for VanDusen Botanical Garden.

“Once the wheels are in motion, they’re unlikely to stop”

“Driving isn’t a luxury for everyone,” explained Benzing. “For many people, it’s a necessity for getting around, because not everyone has the option to walk.

“When we encourage people to be active and live healthy lifestyles, it’s counterproductive to risk discouraging outdoor activities. By imposing these parking fees, we risk making it less accessible and end up targeting people who may otherwise not engage in fitness.”

Benzing works as a marriage commissioner and a funeral celebrant, with her work often taking her to VanDusen Garden and the Shaughnessy Restaurant.

“It’s concerning that the Park Board seems to assume people will agree to pay for parking and that it won’t discourage visitors. The reality is that not everyone can absorb that extra cost, and many might choose to skip the trip altogether. How will it affect VanDusen Garden or the Shaughnessy restaurant?”

She also shared that she is worried that the parking strategy may negatively impact residents and visitors to Vancouver, and that there may be no end in sight to more pay parking.

“At the end of this one-year pilot, what’s the plan? Will they consult with the public, or will they roll this out to other community centres without our input? Once the wheels are in motion, they’re unlikely to stop.”

The petition currently has over 400 signatures, with supporters also sharing their thoughts on the parking changes.

“Why do we have to pay for everything in this city?”

“We already live in one of the most expensive cities in Canada, why do we keep getting hit with more and more expenses?” asked one signee. “Please let us continue to enjoy some of our parks and nature escapes without having to pay for the privilege of parking there.

“Why do we have to pay for everything in this city. Can’t nature be something that is free for all to enjoy? There are so few parks left that don’t charge to park. Please just leave them alone.”

Parking exemptions and discounted passes are planned for staff, volunteers, and vulnerable users in the strategy. Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations members will also receive exemptions in Stanley Park to assist access to their traditional territories.

“The costs of ‘free’ parking are paid for by all taxpayers,” said John Brodie, the Board of Parks and Recreation’s Director, Business Services, in a statement. “Paid parking connects some of that cost directly to those who benefit while generating funds to reinvest in services that benefit everyone.

“This strategy provides a thoughtful framework for managing our parking assets. Expanding paid parking to high-demand lots creates a sustainable funding source that captures revenue from users of parks and facilities, including visitors from outside Vancouver who enjoy our recreational amenities.”

“This is about plugging a budget gap”

A Park Board report estimates that the pilot project spanning the five expansion locations could result in net additional parking revenue of up to $1.5 million across the year.

However, Benzing said that the profit-driven decision was “very disheartening.”

“The Park Board’s focus on generating $1.5 million from parking makes it clear this is about plugging a budget gap,” she added. “It’s a financial decision which they’re attempting to disguise as a service improvement, for the greater good of the community.

“When funds are allocated to non-essential items like a high-cost art gallery while the community struggles with basic needs, it can seem like a misplacement of priorities. It’s especially frustrating when residents are left to shoulder the burden for vital services, through the implementation of parking meters, as an example, while the city indulges in lavish expenditures.”

Benzing pointed to the ongoing work on the new Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG), which began major construction work in March 2024.

Last summer, VAG announced that the project was hit by a 50 per cent cost increase to $600 million.

In December 2024, VAG confirmed that its board of directors made the “difficult decision” to part ways with internationally renowned Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron, which was selected more than a decade ago in an international design competition.

And while the Gallery has found a new replacement lead design team for its long-anticipated building, the fenced-off Larwill Park site has remained idle and covered with gravel since Summer 2024.

“Most people are looking for transparency and responsible budgeting that prioritizes the community over flashy projects, and the Vancouver Art Gallery ties into this broader narrative about how we spend public funds,” said Benzing. “We’re expected to pay $1.5 million in parking charges, which feels like just another cost we have to bear to support all the costly expenditures in the city.

“I believe this is where the frustration creeps in among Vancouverites. We’re told new parking charges at community centres are a necessity to pay for public services. Yet extravagant projects like the new art gallery are being pushed through.”