SAN DIEGO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Museums across Balboa Park said they have seen fewer visitors since the city’s new paid parking program went into effect, raising concerns about the long-term impact on attendance, volunteers and membership support.

Several cultural institutions that rely heavily on walk-in traffic reported a noticeable slowdown, with some visitors opting to skip trips to the park altogether because of the added cost of parking.

The San Diego Automotive Museum and the San Diego Air and Space Museum both said they feel the impact. Museum leaders said attendance has dropped sharply since paid parking began, affecting not only daily visitors but also memberships and special events.

“Paid parking going into effect has definitely affected our attendance,” said Brandi Wilson, the museum’s chief operating officer.

According to Wilson, the museum has seen a 38% decrease in visitors since the policy was implemented.

“We’ve had about 10% of our memberships cancel or reach out saying they’re not planning on renewing because they don’t want to deal with the parking situation,” Wilson said. “We’ve also had rentals and birthday parties cancel on us for the same reason, so we’re losing business.”

The impact extends beyond ticket sales. Volunteers, a critical part of daily operations for many Balboa Park institutions, said the parking fees are changing how often they can participate.

One Balboa Park volunteer said the cost has altered how their family approaches volunteering.

“My son is involved at San Diego Junior Theatre, and he’s performing today,” the volunteer said. “The parking charges have definitely changed how our family is approaching our volunteer time here.”

Wilson acknowledged the city’s intentions behind the paid parking program but said the outcome has been more challenging than anticipated.

“We all make mistakes,” she said. “What looks good on paper doesn’t always end up working in reality.”

City officials have said the paid parking program is designed to help manage congestion and fund park improvements. However, critics argue that the policy is creating unintended consequences for cultural institutions that depend on consistent public access.

In response, a petition has circulated, calling on city leaders to revisit the policy. Organizers say they plan to present the signatures to the San Diego City Council, requesting adjustments or exemptions to reduce the burden on museums, visitors and volunteers.

Paid parking recently went into effect throughout much of Balboa Park, including areas near major attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, drawing increased attention to how the changes are affecting the park’s cultural ecosystem.

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