The Capital Regional District board has decided not to move forward with its plan to launch paid parking at nine parks in the region.
The idea was first brought forward in September as a way to pay for park upgrades.
The CRD board was considering adding paid parking to the following nine parks: Devonian Park, East Sooke Regional Park, Matheson Lake, Mill Hill Regional Park, Horth Hill, Sooke Hills Wilderness (south access), Sea to Sea Park, Elk and Beaver Lake, and Witty’s Lagoon.
The board proposed adding two-hour short term parking at a cost of $2 until 2026, and daily parking starting at $2.25 before gradually increasing to $7 over three years.
The plan was met with community pushback, however, and on Wednesday the board decided to shelve the idea.
CRD board chair Colin Plant says, after two hours of discussion, the board decided to instead use property taxes to fund the necessary park upgrades.
Plant says the board is also planning to review whether existing parking fees at Thetis Lake and the Sooke Potholes should stay in place or be eliminated.
SEE PREVIOUS:
- SEPT 26, 2023: Paid parking may soon come to several CRD parks
- SEPT 27, 2023: Paid parking proposal at CRD parks temporarily stalls
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