Calgary’s plan to introduce paid parking at Edworthy Park has ignited a wave of community pushback, with residents arguing the move contradicts the city’s environmental goals and threatens equitable access to green spaces.
Starting next month, the popular riverside park will join a growing list of Calgary’s natural areas where visitors must now pay to park. The city defends the decision as necessary to manage increased traffic and generate maintenance revenue, but critics say it represents a troubling shift in how public spaces are administered.
“We’ve always considered Edworthy Park as an extension of our community,” says Marnie Wellington, who has lived in the adjacent Wildwood neighbourhood for over 20 years. “Adding parking fees creates a barrier for families who use this park regularly, especially those with limited means.”
The parking program will charge visitors $3 per hour or $10 for a day pass between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., according to details released by the Calgary Parks Department last week. Annual passes will be available for $125, with the city projecting approximately $400,000 in annual revenue from the initiative.
City officials point to increased management costs and record visitor numbers as justification. “Our parks have never been busier,” explains Rafael Santos, Calgary’s Parks Operations Coordinator. “We’re seeing wear and tear that requires more intensive maintenance, and these fees help offset those growing expenses while ensuring visitors have reliable access.”
But local environmental groups question the city’s approach. Conservation Calgary notes that while the city promotes its climate resilience strategy encouraging outdoor activity, the new fees might discourage regular park use. Their recent survey suggests 65% of regular park users would visit less frequently if required to pay for parking.
“You can’t claim to prioritize green initiatives while simultaneously creating financial barriers to accessing nature,” argues Simone Chen, Conservation Calgary’s executive director. “This particularly impacts newcomers to Canada and lower-income families who rely on free recreational spaces.”
The controversy highlights growing tension between municipal budget pressures and public expectations for free access to natural amenities. Edworthy Park, with its mix of riverside paths, picnic areas, and off-leash dog zones, attracts diverse users from across the city.
City councillor Terry Wong acknowledges the pushback but defends the policy as part of a larger strategy. “The reality is that maintaining world-class parks isn’t free,” Wong said during last month’s council meeting. “We’re trying to balance accessibility with sustainable management.”
Critics point to alternatives the city hasn’t fully explored. The Wildwood Community Association proposed a resident permit system combined with time-limited free parking for visitors. Other suggestions include seasonal passes at reduced rates for frequent users or implementing fees only during peak summer months.
“What’s frustrating is the lack of meaningful consultation,” says Ahmed Farouk, who regularly brings his children to the park. “We first learned about this through social media, not through any direct engagement with communities that use the park daily.”
The Calgary Parks Foundation reports that similar paid parking systems in other Canadian cities have shown mixed results. While they generate revenue, some locations experienced significant drops in visitor numbers, particularly among lower-income residents.
The timing has also raised eyebrows, with implementation set for early June—just as summer recreation season begins. A petition opposing the plan has gathered over 4,000 signatures, with organizers planning to present their case at the next city council meeting.
“Parks should remain accessible to everyone regardless of economic status,” says petition organizer Jaime Rodriguez. “Once we start treating public green spaces like commercial venues, we fundamentally change what makes them valuable community assets.”
The city’s parks department has promised to review the impact after six months, with potential adjustments based on usage patterns and community feedback. For now, regular visitors are weighing their options—from carpooling arrangements to seeking out alternative green spaces without parking fees.
