Paid parking could be coming to these Vancouver community centres

Trout Lake, in Vancouver's John Hendry Park, is pictured on Saturday, July 3, 2021.

The Vancouver Park Board is set to vote on a proposal to charge for parking at some civic facilities.

A year-long pilot program would implement an hourly rate of $3.50 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. at the Hillcrest, Kerrisdale, and Trout Lake community centres– with a three-hour exception for people using the facilities, according to a report coming before the board.

People visiting Langara Golf Course would be charged $4.25 per hour from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a similar exemption for patrons.

A month-long pilot at Van Dusen Botanical Garden, timed to coincide with the popular Festival of Lights, would have visitors pay a $25 “event rate” between 4 and 10 p.m., the report says, adding this will come into effect in November of 2026.

“When access to recreation is limited by high parking demand, services are challenged for funding and parking infrastructure is no longer suited to current needs, paid parking creates opportunities for more effective service delivery,” the report says.

“This report proposes a paid parking pilot at select sites with highly utilized parking lots and good connections to transportation alternatives while exploring options for revenue retention.”

The report estimates $1.5 million in revenue will be generated through the pilot.

The proposal is a modification of one that came to the board in April, which pitched additional sites including Hastings Community Centre, New Brighton Park and Pool, and the Fraserview Golf Course. The revenue from that plan was estimated at $3 million.

“Free parking for parks and recreation is subsidized by all taxpayers, whether they drive or not,” the report says.

“As vehicle access to these services can be necessary and provides some public good in facilitating healthy communities, setting an affordable rate for paid parking connects a portion of the cost to the individual while generating revenue to invest in public services that benefit all community members.”

The board will vote on the report Monday.