Vancouver Park Board to vote on Spanish Banks pay parking

Park Board commissioners will vote on implementing pay parking at one of Vancouver’s most beloved beaches on Monday.

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation will finalize its decision after hearing from staff on April 8 who suggested slapping a $1 an-hour fee for those parking in the Spanish Banks lots between July 1 and September 30.

Up until now, it’s been the only beach in the city without pay parking. The report says the free lots disrupt the neighbourhood, especially in the summertime.

Staff behind the report also believe pay parking should be required during off-peak months, however, they’re leaving it up to commissioners to determine what that rate should be.

However, the proposal has received plenty of pushback.

One group believes charging for parking at the beach could be a barrier to access the area, particularly for those with lower incomes, according to the petition’s Change.org page, which is organized by a group that calls itself “Vancouver Beach Lovers 2.”

The petition, which has gained almost 4,000 signatures, states that parking is charged at other beaches like Kitsilano and Jericho because those beaches both have limited parking and easier public transport and bike access.  

“Spanish Banks is long and has a great deal of parking,” the petition says. “People come to Spanish Banks by car because it is by far the easiest way to get there, especially for large families, the elderly, disabled or people with bbq’s or other beach gear.”

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