Visitors to Gatineau Park will have to pay to park at the visitor centre starting this fall. The National Capital Commission announced the parking lot at the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre will become paid parking starting on Tuesday, Sept. 1. “This new measure will help manage visitor traffic in the park’s busiest area, improve parking availability and support the NCC’s sustainable transportation and environmental priorities,” the NCC said on Facebook. “Revenue generated from parking fees will be reinvested to support operations, programs, and infrastructure.” The first 30 minutes of parking at the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre will be free, followed by $3 per 30 minutes up to a daily maximum of $16. The NCC says four hours of free parking will be offered for vehicles displaying accessible parking permits at the visitor centre, similar to other paid parking lots in Gatineau Park. Parking will continue to be free at several areas of Gatineau Park, including Champlain Lookout, Fortune Lake, Huron Lake, King Mountain, Luskville Falls, and Pink Lake. There is paid parking at MacKenzie King Estate, O’Brien Beach, La Peche Lake, Blanchet Beach, Parent Beach, Philippe Lake Boat Launch Philippe Lake and Breton Beach.
