• Pro youth & future generations

• Pro housing

• Pro bike infrastructure

• Pro transit

• Pro pickleball, skateparks, basketball, volleyball, disc golf, pumptracks

• Huge supporter of clubs that provide affordable access to incredible activities

The council:

• charged too much during low demand. Like $5 at 7am

• charged too little during high demand. Like free parking around Ambleside businesses at midday summer

• charged a huge spatial price disparity. Like $5 vs free right next to each other.

• exempted the majority (local residents)

• targeted the minority, causing parking to be even more scarce, valuable, and expensive for them

For years, Ambleside parking has been in high demand, mostly in the summer, mostly in the middle of the day. Throughout the summer, Ambleside parking was often full, with no spots available, and 'cruisers' would appear. Cruisers are people who can't find a spot, and so cruise around slowly looking for one adding to congestion. The right thing to do is pay parking during these high demand times and places but not when the demand isn't there. This balance ensures availability, increases revenue, minimizes enforcement, and minimizes how unfairly we treat our neighbors.

In September 2025, the council made Lighthouse, Whyte Lake/Nelson Canyon, Whytecliff, Cypress Falls, Seaview Walk, and Ambleside parks $5-6 per hour, 7am - 10pm, year round. Residents exempt. The idea was to charge non residents to help pay for these destination parks. This caused predictable problems: spillover, no spots, angry business owners, and cruisers. Field hockey teammates were torn apart as a West Van resident could park by the field but the North Van teammate had to shamefully park up on Keith and walk down to save $15.

In November 2025, the council lowered the cost to $2.50+sc seasonal price.

In February 2026, the council decided there would not be a seasonal price.

In July 2026, the council gave everyone 90 minutes free parking, and planned to revisit the issue in October.

No councillor had or has a positive vision for a parking system. There is a consensus on best practices (₁, ₂, ₃) and the council chose not to follow them.

I reached out to the council in August 2025 before the $5-6 parking came in and tried to explain why it was a bad idea. I recommended a demand based system. I didn't hear back from any of the councillors and I don't feel like I had any effect.

• Free in most places

• Free most of the time

• Small fee during peak times/places, Ambleside beach and commercial area midday summer for example would be pay parking.

• Flexible time limits

• After reviewing occupancy, raise or lower rates depending on whether occupancy is above or below 85%

• Target 85% occupancy

• Do not exempt residents - this is crucial because residents are the majority of the parkers

Feel free to ask me questions on my Reddit AMA: Link to reddit AMA