For the past eight years, British Columbians paid to park at the 28 most popular provincial parks in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island, including several in the Sea to Sky Corridor. And grumbled.
But no more. On Tuesday (May 3), Premier Christy Clark following through on a promise she made during her successful B.C. Liberal leadership run announced that the fees were being permanently removed as part of the 100th anniversary celebration for the provincial park system.
"The parking meters are coming out and parking will be free, effective immediately, so that British Columbia's parks are even more welcoming for families," Clark said in a statement.
The fees initially $5 per day at parks will full facilities such as Alice Lake and $3 for smaller ones such as Shannon Falls and Murrin Park were implemented in 2003 as a way to generate revenue. They were roundly and consistently criticized as a hidden tax grab and a disincentive to visiting B.C. parks. Environmental and user groups noted a drop in visits to the 28 affected parks shortly after the fee system was implemented.
The top-level day-use fee was dropped to $3 in 2007. Over the past couple of years, enforcement of the fees was spotty at best and the amount of revenue generated by the fee system declined.
"Our parks not only contribute to a healthy lifestyle and protect our environment, they are important to our economy," Clark said. "More park visitors mean more tourism dollars and more jobs for rural British Columbians and we want to eliminate any barriers to using the parks."
