New parking restriction program in west Edmonton causes community controversy

Wolf Willow, in west Edmonton, is home to a popular ravine trailhead, but effective Nov. 1, only residents can park in the immediate area.

Wolf Willow, in west Edmonton, is home to a popular ravine trailhead that connects to a picturesque lookout, an off-leash dog park, a pedestrian bridge across the North Saskatchewan River and a large set of stairs.

But effective Nov. 1, only residents can park in the immediate area.

One of the residents who lobbied the city for the parking restriction declined an interview and to give his name, but he said there were so many people accessing the river valley that there were issues with traffic safety, increased crime and littering.

The man said this isn’t a case of NIMBYism (not in my backyard).

Ward sipiwiyiniwak Councillor Sarah Hamilton says she encouraged the residents to lobby for their own solution.

READ MORE: City council rejects proposal to charge Edmontonians for parking at city attractions

But this particular program only applies to 99 homes in the area closest to the river valley access.

Doug Murray lives just outside the new restricted zone. He said when the no parking signs went up in October, he noticed congestion right away.