Exemptions for paid parking are soon coming to some West Vancouver parks.
District of West Vancouver council voted Monday night to waive pay parking for vehicles with a veterans or Memorial Cross licence plate, a valid accessible parking permit, and vehicles of volunteers who participate in activities that support the “betterment of a district park or trail.”
"Volunteers who are involved in approved activities that support the district and its parks and trails would qualify," a spokesperson from the District of West Vancouver said. "These activities and efforts may include ecological restoration, clean-ups, and other stewardship activities."
Visitors currently pay $5.22 per hour in Lighthouse, Nelson Canyon and Whytecliff parks since the program began in February 2024.
Council first debated the paid parking exemptions in October last year after several groups asked for them following the launch of the paid parking pilot program. Veterans, people with disabilities and non-profit and community groups were some of the groups that asked for exemptions.
West Vancouver council waived the $27 annual fee for residents in January. About $600,000 has been collected from the three parks since the paid program began.
Volunteer organizations looking for exemptions for activities in a District of West Vancouver park must seek approval from the parks department by emailing [email protected] or calling 604-925-7275. Once approved, staff will consider a time-limited pay parking exemption for the activity.
The parks department will then co-ordinate with the organizer to facilitate parking exemptions for participating volunteers, the spokesperson said.
"A group like the Lighthouse Park Preservation Society conducting an ivy pull is a good example of an activity where volunteers would have pay parking fees waived," the spokesperson said.
District staff will receive training on how to follow the exemption policy and process in responding to parking exemption requests and put signs where pay parking is in place.
The pay parking exemption will start May 1.
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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