Year-round pay parking is officially taking effect at several Vancouver community centres and attractions starting next month.
The lots at Hillcrest, Kerrisdale, and Trout Lake Community Centre, as well as Langara Golf Course, will become pay parking starting in mid-February 2026.
The Vancouver Park Board confirmed with Daily Hive Urbanized that staff are working towards a start date of Monday, Feb. 16 and will be notifying community centre and golf course staff and patrons about the details of the pilot over the coming weeks.
Daniel Chai/Daily Hive
“In support of the Park Board’s Parking Strategy, approved by the Board in October 2025, a one-year paid parking pilot will come into effect at Hillcrest, Kerrisdale and Trout Lake community centres in mid-February,” a Park Board spokesperson told Daily Hive Urbanized.
“These sites were selected due to a consistently high demand for parking and good access to nearby options for transportation.”
Regular users of Trout Lake Community Centre have noticed new signs covered in garbage bags posted in the parking lot, which the Park Board has confirmed is related to the implementation of paid parking at the location.
A reader-submitted photo shows several options for paying for parking at the community centre, including ParkMobile, Honk, ZipBy and Passport app.
Submitted
“The first three hours of parking will be free for community centre patrons (including for activities at pools, arenas, and libraries) with a rate of $3.50 per hour thereafter,” explained the Park Board. “Parking for people not visiting the community centre starts at $3.50 per hour.
“Patrons can access free parking through sign-in at a kiosk inside the community centre, with additional parking available for purchase via a text message reminder. On-site signage will provide further information on the new parking rates for visitors and patrons.”
A $4.50 per hour paid parking rate will also come into effect at Langara Golf Course starting in mid-February. Complimentary parking will be provided for golfers, and clubhouse patrons will also receive three hours of free parking.
Daniel Chai/Daily Hive
According to the Park Board at the time of the vote on pay parking last fall, the strategy will improve user experience, help reduce congestion, and lead to better management of parking at lots within their jurisdiction.
“As Vancouver grows, demand for parking at our facilities is increasing,” said Park Board Chair Laura Christensen in a release. “Paid parking, where it makes sense, can improve access and increase investments in the maintenance and renewal of our parks and recreation facilities.”
A parking pilot for VanDusen Botanical Garden’s Festival of Lights is also expected to come into effect later this year, at a rate of $25 between 4 and 10 p.m for the event.
Parking exemptions and discounted passes are planned for staff, volunteers, and vulnerable users in the strategy. Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations members will also receive exemptions in Stanley Park to assist access to their traditional territories.
Daniel Chai/Daily Hive
The Park Board’s report estimates that the pilot project spanning the five expansion locations could result in net additional parking revenue of up to $1.5 million across the year.
However, not everyone is in support of pay parking at Hillcrest, Kerrisdale and Trout Lake community centres, as well as Langara Golf Club.
A petition was launched last fall calling for a stop to the planned expansion of pay parking, with the organizer urging supporters to “say no to more parking charges” across the city.
Do you support the implementation of pay parking at Vancouver community centres? Will you or someone you know be impacted by the pilot program? Let us know in the comments or get in touch at [email protected].
