COVID-19: Vancouver resumes Kitsilano and Point Grey parking enforcement to deter visitors

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      In an ongoing effort to reduce the number of people converging in popular spots around Vancouver during the COVID-19 pandemic, the city is taking further steps to prevent people from gathering at West Side beaches and to provide more space for residents in the area to get outdoors.

      Previously, the Vancouver Park Board closed parking lots of parks and beaches across the city on March 22, including at VanDusen Botanical Garden and Queen Elizabeth Park.

      Despite those closures, people were found to be parking illegally around Stanley Park while visiting the area. Consequently, the city closed off vehicle access to Stanley Park prior to the Easter long weekend on April 8. (B.C. Parks and Parks Canada have taken similar measures.)

      In addition, the city resumed parking enforcement in the West End, in order to deter visitors to the area and to allow residents of the densely populated neighbourhood to have more room to get fresh air and exercise. (The city had previously announced on March 30 that it was temporarily suspending enforcement of permit parking zones to support healthcare workers and protect frontline staff.)

      In an expansion of that measure, the City of Vancouver announced on April 16 that parking enforcement of permit and residential parking zones in Kitsilano and Point Grey resumes today (April 17). That includes residential permit parking areas, resident parking only areas, and Vancouver resident permit parking streets.

      The area of enforcement includes streets north of West 10th Avenue and west of Burrard Street.

      Signs are being placed at all access points to inform drivers about parking enforcement.

      While parking lots at Kitsilano Beach and Jericho Beach were among the previously mentioned parking-lot closures, the city is also removing parking next to Kitsilano Park and installing local traffic–only signs to provide more room for physical distancing while walking and cycling.

      Citizens are being asked to remain in their own neighbourhoods instead of heading to beaches and trails.

      You can follow Craig Takeuchi on Twitter at @cinecraig or on Facebook.

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