The campaign is being led by former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey, who is currently running for San Diego City Council District 2. Bailey and supporters will formally kick off the effort with a public event and press conference scheduled for April 4 at 9:30am at the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. If organizers collect approximately 82,000 valid signatures, the measure will qualify for the November ballot. If roughly 25,000 signatures are gathered, the City Council would be required to reconsider the policy.
The launch comes after a turbulent rollout of paid parking across Balboa Park earlier this year, a policy shift that ended more than a century of largely free access to one of San Diego’s most iconic public spaces. The implementation triggered widespread public frustration, vandalism of parking kiosks, protests, and sharp attendance declines at major cultural institutions. Polling conducted in January indicated that approximately 80 percent of San Diegans supported eliminating or reducing the fees.
Bailey, in a statement announcing the initiative, framed the effort as a direct response to what he described as policy failure at City Hall. He argued that Balboa Park should remain accessible to all residents and visitors, rather than becoming another revenue-generating mechanism amid the city’s ongoing structural budget deficit.
The proposed measure would amend the San Diego Municipal Code to prohibit the City from imposing or enforcing parking fees throughout Balboa Park. It would also eliminate existing parking meter zones and paid lots while preserving the City’s authority to manage parking for safety and special events.
The campaign has drawn participation from a mix of civic, cultural, and business voices. Among those expected to speak at the kickoff event is David Cohn of the Cohn Restaurant Group, which operates The Prado at Balboa Park and many other restaurants around San Diego County. The Prado has been directly impacted by the parking changes, with restaurant and theater traffic closely tied to ease of access within the park. Representatives from the San Diego Air & Space Museum and local volunteers are also expected to participate.
The involvement of prominent park stakeholders underscores the broader economic ripple effects tied to the parking policy. Cultural institutions have reported attendance drops ranging from 20 to 40 percent in the weeks following implementation, driven largely by a decline in local visitors. Restaurant operators, nonprofit organizations, and park volunteers have similarly raised concerns about reduced foot traffic and barriers to access.
The initiative also introduces a new political dimension to an issue that has already become one of the defining local controversies of 2026. With Bailey now actively campaigning for a City Council seat, the repeal effort positions Balboa Park parking as both a policy fight and a campaign issue heading into the next election cycle.
City officials have continued to defend the parking program as a necessary tool to manage congestion and generate revenue that must remain within the park’s surrounding zones. However, critics argue the policy reflects a broader pattern of the City relying on parking enforcement as a revenue lever, citing similar increases around Petco Park and downtown event zones.
As the signature drive begins, the future of paid parking at Balboa Park now appears headed toward a direct vote of the public. Whether the initiative ultimately qualifies for the ballot will depend on the campaign’s ability to translate widespread dissatisfaction into verified signatures in the coming months.
For now, the fight over who pays to access San Diego’s most treasured public space is entering its next phase, one that could ultimately be decided not by City Hall, but by voters.
The signature drive kickoff event will take place on April 4, at 9:30am at the Organ Pavilion in San Diego's Balboa Park. For more information, visit repealthefees.com.
Originally published on March 30, 2026.