For months, Ambleside businesses have been clear: this was never about opposing parking management outright. It was about ensuring that decisions affecting one of West Vancouver’s most important commercial and recreational districts were grounded in fair, credible data rather than assumptions.
That is why the Ambleside Dundarave Business Improvement Association (ADBIA) made what we believed was a constructive and community-focused offer: we proposed to fully fund an independent parking study for the Ambleside commercial area ourselves. Not at taxpayer expense. Not as a delay tactic. We simply asked Council for a brief two-month pause so the study could be conducted under normal conditions and accurately reflect genuine parking habits before the current system further altered behaviour.
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Without that pause, any study risks measuring the impact of pay parking itself rather than how residents, visitors, and customers naturally use Ambleside. Once habits are disrupted and traffic patterns shift, the baseline is already gone.
We are sincerely grateful to Councillor Snider and Mayor Sager for recognizing the value of this proposal and supporting the pause. Their willingness to champion a fair, evidence-based approach demonstrated thoughtful leadership and a genuine understanding of what was at stake for local businesses and the broader community. While we were disappointed that the motion was ultimately defeated 5-2, we deeply appreciate those who stood behind the importance of proper process.
This conversation was never carried by businesses alone.
We are profoundly thankful for the extraordinary support shown by the community. Local businesses organized a petition calling for a temporary pause, and 1,012 people added their names in support of the ADBIA’s request. Council also received dozens of emails from residents, customers, and visitors who took the time to speak up, share concerns, and advocate for a more balanced approach.
That level of engagement means more than words can express.
Our businesses rely not only on West Vancouver residents, but also on the many visitors from across the North Shore and beyond who choose to spend their time and money in Ambleside. For many businesses, more than 30 percent of customers come from outside West Vancouver. These visitors are essential to the vitality of our commercial district, and their continued support is something we never take for granted.
The financial realities we are seeing are serious. Businesses closest to Ambleside Park, those most directly tied to park visitors, seawalk traffic, and surrounding activity, are reporting steady revenue declines of 20 to 30 percent. Earls Ambleside alone has noted a decline of $400,000 since pay parking began in September 2025. At the same time, the District has generated approximately $130,500 in parking revenue from Ambleside Park.
These numbers are concerning, but beyond the figures are the people – local owners, staff, families, and community spaces that help make Ambleside what it is.
Despite our disappointment, our overwhelming feeling is gratitude.
We are grateful to every person who signed the petition. Grateful to those who wrote emails, attended meetings, shared our concerns, and supported local businesses through their continued patronage. We are grateful to the residents of West Vancouver and to the many visitors from outside our municipality who continue to show up for Ambleside.
Your support has been meaningful, encouraging, and deeply appreciated.
The ADBIA remains committed to advocating for practical solutions and working collaboratively to help address the challenges our businesses are facing. We remain hopeful that with continued dialogue, data, and community support, there is a path forward that protects both accessibility and economic vitality.
In the meantime, we respectfully encourage those visiting Ambleside Park or enjoying the seawalk to consider parking on Argyle Avenue or in Dundarave, where free three- and four-hour parking options remain available.
Ambleside is more than a business district. It is a shared gathering place, a destination, and a valued part of our community. We are incredibly thankful to everyone who has stood with us, and we will continue working hard to ensure Ambleside remains vibrant, welcoming, and accessible for all.
