Vancouver Park Board has had a change of heart about pay parking at Spanish Banks, at least temporarily.

“After a thorough review the Park Board has decided it will not introduce seasonal pay parking at Spanish Banks this summer,” the board said Wednesday in a new release.

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“Staff have advised that for this year, the revenue from Spanish Banks parking is not required to balance the budget, so plans for the introduction of pay parking in four Spanish Banks lots are currently on hold.”

In November, park board commissioners approved a number of fee increases, including introducing a charge for parking at Spanish Banks. Commissioner Erin Shum voted against the proposal.

Public response to the plan was largely negative and in February an online petition urging the park board to keep parking free at the beach gathered almost 11,000 signatures in two weeks.

“I am so pleased that the Board responded to public feelings on this. It’s the mark of good government when politicians listen and respond and I thank them for doing just that and rescinding this plan which clearly, many felt very strongly about,” said David Fine, a local filmmaker and activist who started the petition. “Vancouverites do not need yet another expense to enjoy one of the principal benefits of living in this beautiful city and I hope that the civic government will provide the funding the park board needs in order to do the good work they do maintaining and enhancing our parks and beaches.”

The board initially responded with an amended plan that would have seen pay parking start on the May long weekend, instead of April 1. But on Wednesday afternoon announced the plan is on hold citing the money is not needed to balance the budget as well as concerns from commissioners about the lack of public transit options for getting to the beach.

“Additional work is required with our transportation partners to find suitable options,” the park board statement reads.

“While parking revenues help to reduce taxation revenue required by Park Board, access for all residents and visitors is also a key priority.”

@JessicaEKerr