The Capital Regional District (CRD) parks committee has rejected the proposal of adding paid parking at several regional parks around Vancouver Island.
The CRD was considering paid parking at nine regional parks in order to raise funds to help offset the increasing cost of park maintenance.
On Wednesday, the parks committee voted against increasing fees at currently paid lots, as well, they voted against adding paid parking at these nine locations:
- Devonian
- East Sooke
- Elk/Beaver Lake
- Francis/King
- Horth Hill
- Matheson Lake
- Mill Hill
- Mount Work
- Witty’s Lagoon
“We saw the fee schedule and we proactively decided we are not interested in charging our residents for using their park,” said Central Saanich District Councillor Niall Paltiel.
Island View Beach Regional Park, which was included in the proposal – sits in Central Saanich District’s jurisdiction.
“The board received the recommendation and denied increases and additions,” added Niall Paltiel.
The CRD will now look at other ways to procure funding for parks and trails infrastructure, improvements, and maintenance.
Thetis Lake and Sooke Potholes are currently the only regional parks on southern Vancouver Island with paid parking.
The next meeting will take place on March 24th.
