With spring right around the corner, more area residents are venturing out on the weekends to explore our neighbouring mountain town of Canmore. 

Residents heading to the popular Quarry Lake Park will now have to pay for parking in the area.

In an effort to help manage visitor demand and parking at the busy destination, Canmore town council has implemented a new paid parking program.

The parking rate is $20 for up to four hours during the peak summer season and $10 dollars during the off-peak season. Those rates apply every day of the week from 7 am until 10 pm.

Local Canmore residents are eligible for one free annual pass per household and residential parking permit zones will be created to manage overflow parking issues in nearby neighbourhoods.

Canmore town officials say that the revenue generated from parking will fund some maintenance and upgrades at the park.