Stanley Park - Response to COVID-19

The final report of the Data Analysis for the Stanley Park Survey Response to COVID-19 is available here. The report is a comprehensive analysis of the survey that was open August 25- September 13, 2020 regarding the temporary changes in Stanley Park in response to COVID-19. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at stanleypark@vancouver.ca

The Stanley Park preliminary survey results, data analysis and next steps were presented at the Park Board Meeting on November 23, 2020. The presentation video clip, presentation and survey analysis data cleaning report can be viewed here. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at stanleypark@vancouver.ca

• Our priority with the temporary changes on Park Drive is to support safe physical distancing with COVID-19 and safety by keeping bikes and cars separate. That’s why cyclists are routed through some of the parking lots to avoid conflicts with vehicles.
• There are a total of 2382 parking spots in Stanley Park, and with the temporary changes 1759 or 74% of parking spots are still open. Take a look at the parking map in the FAQ section.
• During the temporary changes, the Park Board has been in regular communication with various advisory, stakeholder and rightsholder groups. We have made adjustments to the temporary traffic plan as we have received their feedback.
• There is more information about the temporary changes in our FAQs.

In April of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Vancouver Park Board temporarily closed Stanley Park’s roads to vehicles and diverted bicycles off of the seawall and onto Stanley Park Drive. This closure allowed more space along the seawall for pedestrians to practice physical distancing and enabled cyclists to more room to bike through the park unrestricted by non-authorized motorized vehicles.

Why was this temporary change made? The seawall has several existing “pinch points” where the 4m overall width and physical conditions make it difficult to accommodate the number of cyclists, pedestrians and people using mobility devices at certain times. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these “pinch points” making it too narrow to provide safe physical distancing.

In late June, Stanley Park’s roads were re-opened to vehicles with a temporary traffic management plan that dedicated one travel lane to vehicles and one lane for cyclists on Stanley Park Drive. The seawall remains closed to bicycles to facilitate and maintain safe physical distancing for pedestrians.