People walk down a street lined with cherry blossom trees in full bloom, in Vancouver, on Monday, March 23, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

By The Canadian Press

The hazards of cherry blossom crowds prompt warnings from police in Richmond, B.C.

Mar 31, 2026 | 10:24 AM

RICHMOND — Spectacular displays of blooming spring blossoms in Metro Vancouver have prompted a warning from police and municipal officials to admirers about illegal parking and disruptive behaviour.

RCMP in Richmond, B.C., say the cherry blossoms are stopping traffic and drawing large crowds along Russ Baker Way near Vancouver International Airport, where the trees are in full bloom at Larry Berg Flight Path Park.

Police say officers were out in a targeted enforcement at the site over the weekend, and at one point 50 vehicles were illegally parked, disrupting traffic and creating safety hazards.

Officers handed out 32 tickets, issued “numerous” verbal warnings and had two unoccupied vehicles towed from the site.

The City of Richmond has posted a “Cherry Blossom Safety” document on its website, warning of “significant traffic congestion, pedestrian safety concerns and parking challenges” in places such as Russ Baker Way and Steveston Village.

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The safety warning says similar crowd volumes in recent years have caused a number of issues, including “traffic backups, jaywalking, illegal parking and limited emergency vehicle access.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31, 2026.

The Canadian Press