Ambleside Park moves to $2.50 winter parking rate as shops report slower sales

Pay parking at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver will shift to seasonal pricing starting November 1, with hourly rates changed to $2.50, including tax, for the winter months, the District of West Vancouver said in a news release. The new rate will remain in effect until May 31, 2026.

The District said the change aims to balance park access with parking demand. “Seasonal pricing will make parking more affordable during the slower months while still supporting the long-term maintenance of our destination parks,” the release said.

Pay parking was introduced at Ambleside Park earlier this year, requiring visitors to pay between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. West Vancouver residents can apply for a free annual pass tied to a single vehicle’s licence plate, while areas of the park on Squamish Nation land remain exempt from pay parking.

Local businesses near the park previously said the new fees have affected customer traffic. According to the Ambleside & Dundarave Business Improvement Association, several stores reported a 30 per cent drop in sales shortly after the pay-parking system was introduced. 

ADBIA has previously sent recommendations to the District Council, including pausing pay parking in Ambleside Park for the winter months to allow time for solutions to be developed that will address the spillover.

Maureen O’Brien, ADBIA Executive Director expressed her concern, saying that business in Ambleside are already feeling the effects of paid parking in the area.

“There’s no need for a study, what we need now is a plan. A temporary pause would be extremely supportive of our local economy, especially given that the holiday season is fast approaching,” she said.

Residents of the District are eligible for an annual parking pass at no cost. Residents can apply for a parking pass online by providing proof of current vehicle registration to a West Vancouver address.