Calgary cyclists concerned with Edworthy paid parking plan

The City of Calgary's plan to renovate Edworthy Park's north parking lot and implement paid parking to recoup the cost has left members of the cycling community concerned.

Located in northwest Calgary, Edworthy Park has long been a staple for cycling enthusiasts, and changes to the accessibility of parking there could be problematic, explained Doug Clark, president of cycling non-profit Bike Calgary.

"If they start charging for it, is that actually the right thing to do? Is it going to encourage people to re-evaluate the way they move around the city and choose more sustainable, more overall cost-effective ways of doing it?"

Clark, a frequent visitor to Edworthy Park, suggested that cyclists may be dissuaded from parking at the lot or even incorporating cycling into their schedule if parking is no longer free. 

Designated 'Park and Bike' site

The popular north Edworthy parking lot is one of the city's seven designated Calgary Park and Bike sites. People commuting by both car and bike are encouraged to park at one of the sites to avoid fees for downtown parking while getting exercise and minimizing traffic congestion on their way downtown. The locations are five to eight kilometres from the core.

"At least part of that trip is a healthy and a sustainable way to move around the city. So certainly I don't want to do anything that discourages that ability to offer those transportation choices," said Clark.

However, he added, implementing paid parking at the Edworthy lot is an extra cost for cyclists that contradicts the city's intent for commuters to save on paid parking downtown.

According to the city, the proposed development includes resurfacing the pothole-ridden gravel lot along with installing designated parking spaces, better drainage, new lighting, EV chargers and a machine to pay for parking, for an approximate cost of $1 million.

"That's going to come out of taxpayers' pockets," said Clark. "Is that really the best way to spend the money? Are we sort of complicating the issue in terms of incentivizing the right kind of transportation choices that people take in the city?"

Paid parking to recoup development costs

Terry Wong, councillor for Ward 7, said the city first began moving forward on the parking lot project early in April due in part to concerns brought up by property owners.

"We're not doing this to dissuade people from riding their bicycles," he said. "We're doing this to create more, much more functionality in the park, in the parking lot, for different people to use it."

He noted that the Edworthy lot project is still in the early stages of development and that Calgary Parking is exploring a number of options, such as offering a few hours of free parking prior to charging, offering a monthly rate or having designated paid parking areas.

"Any parking infrastructure to put in has to be cost recovered somehow, so that's where the paid parking comes in," said Wong.

Calgary resident Sara Mills, who regularly parks and bikes from the Edworthy lot on her way downtown, says she doesn't mind the parking lot not being paved. She would rather not have to pay for parking as a consequence of the planned development.

"I think this is a really great place to have free parking and encourages people to ride their bikes and stay active and commute to work in alternative ways other than driving," said Mills. "Because I find that is very common, driving in Calgary, and it's not super accessible in the city to ride bikes in a lot of ways. So I think having this really does encourage that."

Construction could start by spring 2026, pending construction permit approval.

Parking fees will not be charged until construction has been completed, Calgary Parking said.