SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- People visiting San Francisco's Golden Gate Park will soon have to pay to park. Starting in January 2027, the city will begin charging for hourly parking.
City leaders say the new fees will help close a budget gap and generate much-needed revenue for park maintenance.
However, not everyone is on board with the new parking fees.
Beginning Jan. 1, drivers will have to pay to park in Golden Gate Park. The new policy will require paid parking seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
KRON 4 spoke with people enjoying their Sunday here at Golden Gate Park. Every single person we spoke with was surprised to learn that free parking will cease to exist in the new year.
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Most people say they are against it, but some say they understand why it needs to be done.
On any given day, Golden Gate Park is filled with people walking their dogs, playing pickleball, enjoying picnics and listening to music.
For many visitors, it's a place to unwind without spending any money. But that is about to change.
"I think it's awful. I don't think they should charge for parking at all because people are here to enjoy themselves, and if people have to worry about feeding a meter, I think it's wrong," park visitor Donna Quan said.
"Yeah, I'm disappointed to hear that. The park is one place I can come and not worry about parking," said another park visitor Sarah Bacon.
"Where are we supposed to park? People have cars. This is a city. People drive. So it's just lame," Don added.
Parking fees will range from $1.25 to $4 per hour, depending on the location and time of day. Drivers with a disabled placard will still be able to park for free.
City officials, like SF Recreation and Parks Spokesperson Tamara Barak Aparto, say the new parking fees are needed to help fund park maintenance and programs as the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department faces a $15 million budget shortfall.
"Without additional revenue, we face really difficult decisions about things people really care about, like clean restrooms, well-maintained playgrounds and swimming pools and summer camps," said Aparto. "This is a way to really protect the things that people love and rely on."
Some park visitors said they support the change if the money is used to improve the park.
"If there is a way to bring back that money from the cars coming in, then I think go for it," parkgoer Britt said.
"If they can direct some of the funds from parking to park rehabilitation projects, I'm for it," parkgoer Nate said.
Others say the new fees could discourage them from visiting altogether.
"We walk our dogs here, so if we had to pay for parking, we would never come because we'd walk them somewhere else where we don't have to worry about that," Donna said.
Drivers will be able to pay for parking using a mobile app or one of 25 pay stations located throughout the park.
