Parking charges at Otley Chevin and Golden Acre Park, along with three other Leeds Council parks will be introduced on 10 February.
Leeds council says it is necessary to fund maintenance and better facilities at the parks.
The other three parks are Roundhay Park (including Mansion Lane), Temple Newsam and Middleton Park (where charges will apply at the Urban Bike Park only).
Like councils across the UK, Leeds City Council is facing unprecedented budget challenges, needing to find over £100million in savings over the next financial year. Simultaneously, significant investment is needed to ensure that Leeds’s much-loved parks continue to be safe and welcoming spaces for residents and visitors.
The decision was therefore made to introduce a small parking charge at the five sites, set at £4 for a full day. There will also be the option to purchase a year’s season ticket for £80, equating to just over £1.50 per week, which can be used across all Leeds City Council’s parks.
Blue badge holders will continue to park for free.
All the investments required to introduce the parking charges will be funded by the income generated through the charges themselves, including the new ticket machines. It is anticipated that the costs will be recouped from the income generated by the charges within six months.
The money raised will also fund car park surface improvements, bay marking, signage, safe access for pedestrians and ongoing maintenance. This is to make the sites more welcoming, accessible, safer and easier to navigate and park in.
Cycle parking will be added at the car parks as part of the scheme and electric vehicle charging infrastructure will be considered and implemented where possible.
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said:
“Leeds City Council looks after over 4,000 hectares of parks and green spaces. Sadly, without a sustainable funding stream, the much-loved spaces will deteriorate, resulting in health and safety risks. This is why we have taken the decision to introduce parking charges at these five parks in Leeds, starting 10 February.
“We are keeping the charges nominal, equivalent to or less than a return ticket on the bus, and parking will remain free for blue badge holders.
“I’d also like to reiterate that the funding required to introduce these charges, such as new ticket machines, will all be paid for by the charges themselves.
“By maintaining our wonderful parks and green spaces, we are providing spaces for communities in the city to be active and to play and helping to improve mental and physical health across all ages.”
Parking payments will be accepted at the machines using a contactless bank card or via the PayByPhone parking app. Season tickets will be available to purchase online (at https://bit.ly/ParkingLCC) or using cash or card in some community hubs and libraries and in some of the council’s retail units and cafés within the parks.
The charges will be:
£1 up to 2 hours.
£2.50 for half a day
£4 for a full day
Season ticket: £10 per month or £80 per annum
Free for blue badge holders
The charges will apply seven days a week between 8am – 8pm.
Birthday card appeal launched for Ilkley woman turning 106
Ilkley Fire Station welcomes hundreds for annual open day
Ilkley MP says lessons must be learned from A65 roadworks
Thrill-seekers' skydive raises £5,700 for children's charity
Ilkley nursing home opens new landscaped garden
Ilkley Half Marathon raises more than £55,000 for local good causes
Yorkshire children invited to nominate their parents to be 'slimed' on CBBC
Yorkshire Water completes A65 work two weeks early
Sir Gareth Southgate among sporting stars heading to Ilkley golf event
Ilkley wine merchant to open third venue in Haworth
Ilkley MP demands answers from Royal Mail over postal delays
Bard in the Yard returns to Ilkley Manor House this August
Community comes together in Ilkley to address young men's mental health
Record-breaking Ilkley Open serves up more than 1,100 matches
Ilkley Playhouse unveils packed season of drama, comedy, music and live entertainment
GALLERY: Thousands celebrate Yorkshire Day in Ilkley
MP criticises lack of progress on Ilkley roadworks as Yorkshire Water extends working hours
Right at Home celebrates official opening of new office
The Little Calf offer free play sessions
Ilkley Civic Society launches search for the town's best building and conservation projects
