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Calgary Herald

Leong: Plan for paid parking at Edworthy Park unworthy of consideration

The City of Calgary is undermining its own parks system, thanks to a bit of bureaucratic manoeuvring. Article content Article content Part of Calgary Parks' mission says this: 'We strive for high-quality standards and sustainability within our parks and open space system, while ensuring that it remains accessible for the enjoyment and outdoor pursuits of all Calgarians.' Article content The operative word being 'accessible.' Article content Article content Article content Who at city hall decided the parking lot needed to be reassigned from the parks department to Calgary Parking? Article content Who ruled that $1 million for parking lot improvements was too much for Calgary taxpayers to bear? With an estimated population of 1.6 million people, this comes to an average one-time payment of 62.5 cents per person. That would be $2.50 for a family of four. Article content There will be ongoing costs for upkeep, but this should be part of the basic function of a city — functions for which we should share the burden? Article content Article content The proposed parking fee is limited to the north parking lot. But without also charging for the Edworthy Park south lot on the other side of Bow River, the city risks causing heightened demand for parking at the other, much smaller parking space. Article content And what of the potential side-effects for the neighbourhoods near the park on both side of the river, some of which already have limited parking hours for street parking? Article content The proposed parking charges at Edworthy Park would be less of an imposition if it were possible to easily get there without having to use a car.