Tell Kirkland City Council: Charging to Visit Our Parks Deserves Real Public Input

At its July 7 study session, the City Council took up a parking pricing study. The city says the goal isn't revenue — but staff's four pricing options total roughly $2.6 million a year, on top of the more than $731,000 collected from 19,000-plus parking citations in 2025.

There is a proposal to charge to park at all seven waterfront parks at a suggested $3/hour in summer. They would also start charging on Sundays. Downtown lots would roughly double to $2/hour in 2027, with on-street parking and the Peter Kirk garage to follow in 2028.

No community engagement has happened and the city manager acknowledged the coming outreach "won't be as robust as we'd like." The plan is for residents to be asked for input only after the direction is set.

The council gave staff direction but took no vote — so there's still time to weigh in. This letter asks the Council to pause parking pricing changes until residents have actually been heard.