No parking meters at QE Tennis Courts!
The Issue
The Vancouver Park Board has decided to charge for parking at the remaining free lot in Queen Elizabeth Park. This means during peak times they will charge $3.65 an hour or $13.50 a day. This lot is at the SE end of the park off W 37th Ave located around the Pitch & Putt greens, tennis, pickleball & basketball courts, Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club, & the off leash dog park area.
The reasoning the Park Board has used to implement pay parking was stated as: "This parking lot is being occupied by park users, visitors to neighboring areas and construction crew on developments in the vicinity. By implementing paid parking, the lot would be consistent with other paid lots in the park and will help to deter traffic that is not using it for its intended purpose."
We take issue with the fact the Park Board claims that many people other than park visitors park in that lot! This has not been our experience. Additionally, public transportation does not readily service this area of the park & many seniors belong to the QE Tennis Club, Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club and the Vancouver Pickleball Association who all use this lot to access the courts & club areas. People who play at courts that are adjacent to Community Centres are not charged parking fees to use the public courts so why is this a good idea?
Charging people to park to take part in physical fitness activities is really imposing a tax on wellness, especially during this time of the pandemic when the additional cost may make people less inclined to go out and exercise as they will be 'watching the clock'. This is especially bad for lower income people and seniors and children who learn golf at the First Tee Pitch & Putt golf camp & lawn bowling at the Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club and might have to think twice about the added cost of an activity that used to be free.
We, the undersigned, urge the Park Board to reconsider this means of revenue which has not been there before. Using the public outdoor facilities should be encouraged and imposing a fee to use this lot that services the many clubs and users is a tax that is not necessary. Let’s keep this area free and continue to encourage use of facilities that promote healthy living and fitness for all without us having to put our hand in our pocket.
QE Wellness Lovers
Petition Closed
The Issue
The Vancouver Park Board has decided to charge for parking at the remaining free lot in Queen Elizabeth Park. This means during peak times they will charge $3.65 an hour or $13.50 a day. This lot is at the SE end of the park off W 37th Ave located around the Pitch & Putt greens, tennis, pickleball & basketball courts, Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club, & the off leash dog park area.
The reasoning the Park Board has used to implement pay parking was stated as: "This parking lot is being occupied by park users, visitors to neighboring areas and construction crew on developments in the vicinity. By implementing paid parking, the lot would be consistent with other paid lots in the park and will help to deter traffic that is not using it for its intended purpose."
We take issue with the fact the Park Board claims that many people other than park visitors park in that lot! This has not been our experience. Additionally, public transportation does not readily service this area of the park & many seniors belong to the QE Tennis Club, Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club and the Vancouver Pickleball Association who all use this lot to access the courts & club areas. People who play at courts that are adjacent to Community Centres are not charged parking fees to use the public courts so why is this a good idea?
Charging people to park to take part in physical fitness activities is really imposing a tax on wellness, especially during this time of the pandemic when the additional cost may make people less inclined to go out and exercise as they will be 'watching the clock'. This is especially bad for lower income people and seniors and children who learn golf at the First Tee Pitch & Putt golf camp & lawn bowling at the Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club and might have to think twice about the added cost of an activity that used to be free.
We, the undersigned, urge the Park Board to reconsider this means of revenue which has not been there before. Using the public outdoor facilities should be encouraged and imposing a fee to use this lot that services the many clubs and users is a tax that is not necessary. Let’s keep this area free and continue to encourage use of facilities that promote healthy living and fitness for all without us having to put our hand in our pocket.
QE Wellness Lovers
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on January 11, 2021