Edmonton’s Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market losing free parking as city takes over lot
Posted March 22, 2025 1:42 pm.
Last Updated March 22, 2025 2:03 pm.
The Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market will no longer offer free parking, as the city of Edmonton ends a lease of over 40 years on the lot across the street.
“That parking lot is still here, but there’s going to be a charge to park now,” said Corinne Olson, market manager at the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market. “So, it’s going to be $2.50 an hour to park.”
The market’s current lease on the 350-stall parking lot expires on April 6, when the city will take over the lot.
The Farmers’ Market has been in operation since 1983, with the Saturday market beginning in that very parking lot.
“We maintain that parking lot as far as clearing, snow removal, signage, and gravel. It is gravel in some places,” said Olson.
The change in parking lot management will also have a ripple effect on other businesses in the area.
“In the evenings, the theatres in the area use that parking lot, and we have a great relationship with them because we provide them with a discounted rate for their patrons to park there,” said Olson. “A lot of their patrons are seniors with mobility issues. I don’t know how many of them will park there again because with the e-park system that’s going in, it’s going to be managed through your phone with a QR code.”
Marketgoers using the lot have mixed feelings about the upcoming change to charges.
“I do live farther on the south side, so I think having free parking is definitely a perk, and it allows me to budget a little bit better,” said one local.
“I know that the city’s gone through a really rough time with what the provincial government has short-changed them on, so I think they’re just trying to scramble and make up their budget,” said another local.
Along with changes outside the market, some positive changes are coming inside, with a storefront under construction that will allow some vendors to sell their goods throughout the week. The storefront inside the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market is expected to open in the coming months
