Pay parking in Ambleside Park is a bad idea.

It’s already causing problems for local sports groups, the farmers market, the sailing club, tennis and pickleball players, and the small businesses that rely on people being able to actually park and walk in. Ambleside Park was never meant to be treated like some kind of cash machine.

How did this all happen? There was no real public discussion, no proper debate, and no asking residents what we thought. Council just decided, behind closed doors, to start charging $5.50 an hour for non-residents. Now people are circling our commercial streets and residential blocks looking for free parking instead.

That means customers can’t find parking, and the quiet streets around the park, the streets residents chose to move to because they were quiet, are getting busier and more congested every day.

There was no consultation, no community input, nothing. Just another decision made without listening to the people who actually live here. That’s not how things used to be done in West Vancouver.

If you’re a West Vancouver resident and you don’t agree with pay parking in Ambleside Park, speak up. Sign the petition. It’s an election year, and Council needs to be reminded who they’re supposed to be listening to.