BC Parks will reinforce overnight parking restrictions this summer at the Stawamus Chief parking lots.
David Karn, a media relations executive for the Ministry of Environment, said the park operators would enforce overnight parking restrictions in the parking lots as it gets busier in the summer.
Enforcement includes knocking on vehicles after 11 pm and asking visitors to leave, serving warning tickets, serving evictions, and towing vehicles.
“These measures have been in place for a number of years but we will reinforce these methods and ensure they are being consistently applied,” Karn said.
The enforcement will continue throughout the summer, he added.
Stawamus Chief Park parking lots and parking along the Mamquam Forest Service Road have historically been problem areas for illegal camping and long-term camping, he said.
Overnight parking is prohibited in BC Parks, he reminded the public.
“Parking lots outside the Chief campground within BC Parks boundaries are day-use lots only. However, BC Parks and the Park Operator experience issues with continual overnight parking,” Karn said.
While the Mamquam FSR is not within BC Parks jurisdiction, camping along the road creates issues in the Park adjacent to the road.
Illegal camping in the park creates garbage and human waste, and leads to other wildlife attractants, he said.
