A visitor to West Vancouver parks has written to council, urging the District to make parking payment systems more accessible after a frustrating experience at Lighthouse Park. Last year, a family from Ontario also wrote to the council after they were ticketed $98 when they could not pay for parking at Lighthouse Park.
In a letter to West Vancouver, the visitor (name blanked out by the District) recounted a recent visit with his son, where they could not pay for parking because the lot allowed only mobile-app payments, and their phone lacked data.
“We attempted to download and open the app, but the phone indicated no internet connection. Payment was thus not possible,” the visitor wrote, noting that others in the lot faced similar challenges.
“This situation is unacceptable for a public facility,” the letter states. The park visitor pointed to Lynn Canyon Park and Stanley Park as examples where multiple payment options — including physical meters or credit card kiosks — are available, and urged West Vancouver to adopt a similar approach. In response, the District’s Parks Administration initially noted that, besides mobile apps, users can pay by calling a phone number listed on the parking signs. However, the visitor said he did try calling but was met with a recorded message stating payment could not be made through that number.
In a follow-up letter, West Vancouver official Natalie Roizman said Impark had been informed about the issue. “The operator will ensure that the phone numbers listed on parking lot signage are correct and that the PayByPhone number listed allows for a park visitor to pay for parking,” she said.
She also clarified that scanning the QR code on site does not require downloading an app and can be used to pay directly with a credit card or mobile wallet.
That’s rubbish! I already sent an email to Indigo for the same issues in Lynn Canyon. Scanning the code does NOT allow you to go ahead and pay! It keeps prompting to download their app. I even did that and it still prompted me to make an account with password. Thankfully another frustrated guest pointed me towards a physical pay machine 100 m away. These lazy parking operators’ systems DON’T WORK!
This is why i don’t go to parks that require apps to pay for parking. My cell phone is so old that i’ve given up trying to load apps on it. Got tired of being told that the app doesn’t support my old phone. But it works as a phone and instant message system so i’m not into going out for another thoisand dollars just to get an app to pay for parking.
completely missing the point
I am frustrated with all the paid parking at parks. It is difficult for liw income families to enjoy these facilities that we all pay taxes for.
I agree with 4 hour limits, as this allows access to the parks for more folks, not just those that arrive early and stay all day.
Maybe have a small percentage of spots at each park that you pay if you want to stay all day. $15 or $20 for the full day. Otherwise it should be free.
I also have an old phone and on a limited budget. Thanks tothe greed of many BC cities,I am limited to enjoying the parks.
100% agreed, Wendy!
Make a formal request via email or letter?
💖
If they want us to use Internet to pay, they need to provide Wi-Fi. Out of town visitors don’t always have data. I never have data’s when I used to visit the states
So download the app and pay. What’s the big deal. It’s super easy. Once you have the app it’s actually easier then going up to a keosk. Lazy ppl can’t take 30 seconds to download an app. It’s actually awsome and can save you tickets and money as the app will send you a notification before your time runs out so you can add more time or leave thus you don’t have to pay for any more time then you need because if you end up taking longer you can just pay on the app and avoid a ticket .
Please do not refer to people as Lazy people. You are probably a young person, who does not understand the difficulty older people have with this modern technology Remember this, when we were your age there was none of this.
The point is that you can’t download the app without data or a wifi connection. Not every one has a data plan!
The parks could offer free wifi, but even that won’t help people with older phones or phones that are out of storage space.
You are missing the point. It’s not that easy for some folks; some people have older phones not compatible with the apps; what if your battery dies. It’s frustrating! I sat outside City Hall in Vancouver trying to download their parking app…what a nightmare! I have the latest Apple IPhone and it could not find their App. And to have to download multiple parking apps is just annoying – which I seem to have to do.
They’re clearly saying ‘it’s NOT easy’ so your arrogance is disrespectful. THESE types of systems are how we lose control and more people will be disenfranchised!
Just break the frickin things! Sooner or later they’ll get it right. If a No. Van. Cop, or whatever Leo they have overseeing this bs, gives you any guff, jump into your vehicle. They cannot tow or otherwise confiscate a vehicle with a live human in it.
Trust me…..this works.
Also…..do not be afraid to get sassy or nasty or whatever! They really don’t have much power in situations like this. They’re only feeling strong cuz they think you’re anxious to get on your way.
Please….. don’t feed the bears, tease the cats, or otherwise fuck with the wildlife.
These fake ass cops, however, are fair game and will be totally intimidated by your knowing and disdainful state.
Puzzzies. 😆
My name is Dave also. I think I may have written the above. If not, I wish I did.
Oh yes… please remember to have as much fun as possible with these clowns, esp in front of others, and don’t forget to totally disrespect them, their heritage, and their families.
I have internet and I was at Lynn Canyon Park and could not pay for parking. I had to scan the QR code, set up an account and it literally would not take my payment bevause it said it would text me a verification code to complete my payment for security reasons and it literally would not send the code. I have a US phone number and so perhaps it doesn’t send to foreign numbers. I tried for 20 minutes. Was an extremely frustrating experience. The only other way I could pay was with Apple Pay and I have an android. A kiosk would have solved this problem. These independent parking businesses have made it impossible. You do have to set up an account and a QR code isn’t the solution necessarily. I shouldn’t have to set up an account and have this level of difficulty to go for a walk.
What if you Don’t have a phone or your phone battery is dead. The distinct doesn’t care obviously. Probly some 30 year old running the system and they think everyone operated like they do. Some people don’t even have credit cards and use cash for all transactions.
Elect a new counsel. Only recourse.
Cash is still legal tender. Pay for parking should take cash as well. Most people don’t have internet on their phone or even phones to begin with. If we need phones to function in Canadian society they should be a legal right and given out for free.
“Most people don’t have internet on their phone or even phones to begin with?” What decade are you living in? Estimates are that over 85% of Canadian adults have cell phones with data.
It might be time to refresh the screen on your statistics page. It’s no longer the 90s.
What if your battery died; some older phones are not compatible with certain apps; what if you are a tourist; and I hate having to download all these different parking apps. It’s okay but they should provide an option. It’s so frustrating running late for an appt and you have to download some other parking app.
And the 15% has no more right anymore?
“Most people don’t have internet on their phones or even phones.”
False.
Many don’t though.
So what about the “Not” most people? What are they supposed to do? Totally stupid comment.
I agree, maybe 85% do have cell ‘phone’s, and maybe that 85% are part of the haves, definitely more limited for the have nots.
How do you pay for the parking anyway? With a cc? Allow all people to enjoy our parks, not just the ones that have a cc and cell ‘phone. Inclusion means allowing the opportunity for all to partake.
Fix this problem, do better for visitors and residents alike.
100% Chris!! Exactly – the digital divide continues to grow & alienate a substantial portion of the community. Not ok!!
When will these clowns understand? West Vancouver doesn’t want you riff raff in our city
I’m gonna come even more now. Xo see you soon
I always make it a part of my visit to take a long winding piss in a public place, eg. a stairwell, elevator, etc.
That part is understood.
Canadians citizens still have to share their parks with eachother and visitors. How awful! What a bizarre country! Who does that?
YOUR city? You West Vancouverites actually think you own the city? And that you can keep “riff raff” out of YOUR parks?
Pull your head out of your ass.
Someone should hire a bus and go to the downtown Eastside and tell the people living on the streets that there is free lunch in Dundarave and offer them a ride over!
You can pay by QR code? That solves everything. Scan a QR code and enter your credit card details in whatever site it may lead to—a QR code stuck somewhere unmonitored where everyone can print out, laminate, and glue their own QR code on top of the existing one—is an ideal system with no vulnerabilities whatsoever and a zero risk of getting ripped off.
If there is not internet then that won’t work
I think ‘miserable’ was being sarcastic. There are actually some scammers printing out their own QR codes and sticking them to overlay the real parking payment signs. These QR codes take the payment elsewhere, so people might think they paid but then get a ticket because they didn’t actually pay for parking. I think even a tech savvy person with all the data in their phone can fall for something like this under the right circumstances.
I knew it was totally safe, and it was just my rampant ego fed paranoia that made me second guess myself
Not just in west vancouver but in kitsilano
As a visitor from Europe, the app did not allow payment rather recognized the phonenumber and did not see the code … same
Also as some people are older and not as familiar with apps, would be a nice option to tap the card directly
It is soooo simple
Agree
I’m lucky. As a senior male I can piss wherever and whenever I want.
Many do not have data though and should not be forced to pay for it just to park at a public park.
I cannot download the app because there is no internet signal but just use the QR code you say… Perfect, let’s just scan this QR and… It opens my browser and directs me to a webpage… But… Oh no I still need internet to access that.
I am sure the honorable council member is aware of this issue otherwise they wouldn’t have suggested the QR as a work around. Though I am confused as to how they thought that would resolve the issue for people who cannot pay by app when there is no internet.
👍 agree
Those parking owners are scammers .they try to suck your money with “reasons “.
Yes Sir Ree Bob!
I think it’s evil charging for parking at a public park if that money is not going directly to the park for improvements and upkeep. Is Impark relaying that money back to the park or just lining their pockets? Also it’s not super easy to get to these parks without a car so it’s not like you’re encouraging transit or deterring driving when you’re charging for parking. Unethical. Parks should be accessible.
Seconded. Half the times these parks are veing used by filming crews that pay a ton of money to use them. The least they can do is.let the general public park for free.
Thank you!
Agreed 100% How much if the $ is going to the park?
I agree, public parks should be free. Where does the money go to? Who benefits from it?
Staff and council should be ashamed of themselves for being sold one of these joey-bag-of-donuts systems. They often don’t work. There are too many to keep track of. They’re clunky. And above all, they turn people away from the very attractions of the North Shore.
You can just toss away the tickets from Impark or any third party parking operations. They’ll send it to collection and you can just ignore it. Don’t pay a dime. I never did and they can’t do anything. Now, if it’s the city that regulates or gives you a fine, that you’ll have to pay.
Totally frickin awesome facts.
Wah wah wah, their phone doesn’t have data but they parked anyway. Believing they should be exempt as tourists is ridiculous. Imagine me wanting to see the Eiffel Tower but not paying for parking.
Eiffel tower is smack dab in the middle of one of the largest metro areas in the world. Why would you bring a vehicle there anyway, to torture yourself driving around those 30 Rings of despair?
I live in North Vancouver. I hadn’t been to Lighthouse Park for quite a while, so when a friend suggested it for a hike,I thought it was a great idea. We hadn’t seen each other for a while and we wanted to sit and the cliffs in the sun and get caught up. I selected 3 hours on the machine. It cost me $15. I will never go back. Well done, West Van. You figured out a way to keep a good portion of the population away from this beautiful park by making it too expensive. Shame on you.
Silly rabbits! Don’t you understand! The north shore is inhabited by South Carolinians or some otherwise hillbilly types. “Dems my trees and my parks and my parking lots, and all that”.
Laugh at them, take pictures of them, and then your vehicle will be left alone. Or even guarded like no other.
Vancouver is a failing city. We don’t deserve to have visitors from other countries.
I’ve had the same issue in Lynn headwaters. There’s no cell reception in some of the parking lots. It was impossible to even download an app or pay through it.
The old ways should be just the option for public parks parking, a machine that accept cash or credit card, they require apps to fish peoples information.
We are planning an annual Persian festival here with hundreds of people and large BBQ. Hope city can figure outs parkings problems.
What a BS. After scanning theQR code you still need a data to pay. Who are they hiring these days not to know basic stuff like this?!
What can I say other than “its West Vancouver?” Don’t bother going their if you’re classified as a foreigner, a non-resident of LaLaland, home of the uber wealthy who rarely reside there themselves let alone go to tawdry Lighthouse Park. The message is “Stay away, far away”. Its no wonder that many small businesses & restaurants are suffering while Money Exchanges flourish.
Forcing a person to have a bank account violates freedom of association under the Charter of Rights.
I have internet and I was at Lynn Canyon Park and could not pay for parking. I had to scan the QR code, set up an account and it literally would not take my payment bevause it said it would text me a verification code to complete my payment for security reasons and it literally would not send the code. I have a US phone number and so perhaps it doesn’t send to foreign numbers. The only other way I could pay was with Apple Pay and I have an android. A kiosk would have solved this problem. These independent parking businesses have made it impossible. You do have to set up an account and a QR code isn’t the solution necessarily. I shouldn’t have to set up an account and have this difficulty to go for a walk
There are a lot of people who do not have a credit card either. Not everyone has one for one reason or another. I know I avoided a lot of pay parking for a long time because I couldn’t pay at all. I find a similar issue though when I go to bed there cities that all have their own city parking apps that I have to sign up for, etc. In the interest of being tourist friendly, perhaps we need to find ways to making place reasonably accessible to the public.