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Park Board approves fees and charges and 2026 budget

November 25 2025 –

Last night, November 24, the Park Board approved fee increases and the Board of Parks and Recreation Operating and Capital Budget for 2026.

2026 Fees and Charges

The fee increases approved by Commissioners are designed to help maintain affordability for parks and recreation services, while addressing current cost pressures and the need to support a long-term, financially viable approach to fees. 

Specifically, fee changes in 2026 will be implemented at golf courses, recreation services, parking, permitted park use like special events and film, Burrard Marina and local attractions like VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory.

The user fee increases across services are expected to generate an incremental increase of approximately $1.9 million in revenues next year.

As part of their decision, Commissioners made a request to Council for additional operating funding in order to keep the increase to recreation passes and permits at zero per cent for 2026.

The new fees were established according to the principles laid out in the Park Board’s Comprehensive Fee-setting framework and customer implications and affordability of Park Board’s services.   

For more information about the updates to fees and charges, view the full report here (628 KB). 

2026 Board of Parks and Recreation Operating and Capital Budget

At last night’s meeting, Commissioners also approved the 2026 Parks & Recreation Operating Budget of $192 million in expenditures and transfers, funded by $97 million in revenues and $95 million from tax-based operating funds. The approved budget reflects Council's direction for a zero percent property tax increase.

As part of their decision, Commissioners made a request to Council for additional one-time funding towards Urban Forestry work and additional funding towards maintenance of parks, washrooms and fields in 2026.

Lastly, Commissioners approved the 2026 Parks & Recreation Multi-Year Capital Project Budget in the amount of $202 million and the 2026 Annual Capital Expenditure Budget in the amount of $126 million.

The approved 2026 Capital Budget supports the delivery of the 2023-2026 Capital Plan.  Being the last year of the Capital Plan, staff are prioritizing the completion of existing multi-year projects.

The Park Board’s budget has been submitted to Vancouver City Council for consideration in its approval of the City of Vancouver’s 2026 operating and 2026 Capital Budget.

For more information, view the complete Park Board budget report here (1.2 MB).