Vancouver Park Board approves fee hikes for 2024, sparking backlash

The Vancouver Park Board approved its operating budget for 2024, bringing with it increases to recreation fees and parking.

The Vancouver Park Board approved its operating budget for 2024, bringing with it increases to recreation fees and parking.

Park commissioners approved an allocation of $168.8 million to cover park expenses, which is a $12.5 million bump from 2023.

To help pay for the increase, there will be an average six per cent jump in charges and fees.

The list of changes includes a 13 per cent jump in parking, a seven percent on average spike in golfing at city-run courses, a nine per cent increase in getting a permit for special events and filming. A ticket for the Stanley Park train will rise six per cent, and renting baseball diamond will double in price.

On Tuesday evening, the minor softball association spoke out against the rental fee hike, which would increase their hourly rate to five dollars.

"Currently, field expenses comprise approximately 20 per cent of our total expenses annually. The current proposal would increase our permitting fees by 108 percent more than doubling them," said Leigh Ramsden, the president of the Vancouver Minor Softball Association.

“I find it surprising and disturbing that the park board would want children and youth to shoulder a higher percentage of these increased fees compared to everyone else.”