Paid parking is a classic case of robbing Peter to pay Paul. The program may help the City financially, but it does so on the backs of the very people who make Balboa Park thrive—the families who visit regularly, the volunteers who donate thousands of hours, and the staff who maintain these institutions. Asking these individuals to pay $150 to $300 annually just to enjoy their neighborhood park or come to work is both unrealistic and unfair. 

Additionally, paid parking adds another layer of burden to the institutions in the Park. Presently, the City struggles to adequately maintain Park buildings, shifting much of the responsibility and cost of maintenance onto the institutions. Now, this new policy threatens to reduce visitation and revenue, making it even harder for us to shoulder costs that should never have been ours in the first place. 

Moreover, there's a troubling disconnect here. The City requires Park institutions to provide free admission through Resident Free Day, December Nights, and other programs—and we enthusiastically embrace this mission. But paid parking directly contradicts this commitment to access, effectively charging an admission fee at the parking lot gate instead of the museum door. 

We oppose both the paid parking program and the burden it places on frequent visitors, volunteers, and staff. We call on the City to reconsider this decision entirely. If the plan does move forward, we implore the Council to implement meaningful accommodations, including a reduced annual rate for County residents (not just City), free parking for all registered institutional staff and volunteers, and a comprehensive shuttle service throughout the Park, including one that reaches the northeast part of the cultural zone. San Diego's crown jewel deserves a policy worthy of its legacy. 

Read more about our stance on paid parking and museum access.