Pay parking coming to Spanish Banks this summer after Vancouver Park Board vote
Beachgoers visiting Spanish Banks will have to pay for parking starting this summer, the Vancouver Park Board decided Monday night.
Park board commissioners voted 4-1 in favour of charging for parking at the popular beach, in spite of public backlash.
Commissioner Jas Virdi was against the plan, saying it's "one of the few places left in the city that doesn't charge for parking."
"It's a place for people who are struggling and can't afford places to go, to go," Virdi said Monday night. "Taking away the last sort of place that they can go for free away I think it's a little not fair."
Virdi also argued buses don't run to the beach "as frequent as they should."
But other commissioners said the park board is underfunded, adding the fees will help.
"Even though there's a group that will be sensitive about it, I think it's proper for us to step forward," commissioner Tom Digby said during the meeting.
While previewing the proposal in April, John Brodie, director of business services for the park board, noted that Spanish Banks is the only beach in Vancouver with free parking.
That leads to demand spiking "quite high during the peak season," Brodie said, which impacts traffic along Marine Drive. Staff suggested paid parking would decrease vehicle congestion, while also helping to fund upkeep along the beach.
Ahead of Monday's vote, more than 4,000 people signed a petition urging the park board to reconsider the proposal.
"This is a special place for people to come and go and enjoy the spectacular natural beauty of our city without having to put our hand in our pocket," the petition reads. "It's a rare treat."
The paid parking pilot approved Monday will begin in July for a 12-month period, starting at $1 per hour during peak season. Reduced parking charges will be in effect during the off-season.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Andrew Weichel
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ontario gave parents more than $1B in cash over 2 years. Here's where the money went
During the pandemic, the Ontario government started to hand out cash to parents to help offset the cost of at-home learning while schools were shuttered.
One dead, 26 wounded in overnight shooting in Ohio: reports
A shooting on a street in Akron, Ohio, killed one man and wounded 26 other people early Sunday morning, according to reports by local news outlets.
Do this once a month and extend your life by up to 10 years. No gym required
Research shows that art experiences, whether as a maker or a beholder, transform our biology by rewiring our brains and triggering the release of neurochemicals, hormones and endorphins.
Ambassador says interactions with Russia 'quite limited' but 'not unfriendly'
Canada's ambassador to Russia says while Ottawa has 'grave concerns' about the Kremlin's 'longer-term trends,' the war in Ukraine is 'a primary barrier to a change in the relationship.'
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
Mass parachute jump over Normandy kicks off commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day
Parachutists jumping from Second World War-era planes hurled themselves Sunday into now peaceful Normandy skies where war once raged, heralding a week of ceremonies for the fast-disappearing generation of Allied troops who fought from D-Day beaches 80 years ago.
Lanny McDonald and a few old Flames take the Stanley Cup on a surprise visit to the man who saved his life
The Stanley Cup was passing through town Friday, and Lanny Legend took it upon himself to take it for a surprise visit.
South Korea vows 'unbearable' retaliation against North Korea over its launch of trash balloons
South Korea said Sunday it’ll soon take retaliatory steps against North Korea over its launch of trash-carrying balloons across the border and other provocations.
Chad Daybell sentenced to death for killing wife and girlfriend’s two children in jury decision
Jurors resumed deliberations Saturday on whether a man should be sentenced to death after being convicted days earlier of the murders of his wife and his girlfriend’s two youngest children in Idaho.