Vancouver hanami chaos
Metro Vancouver’s cherry‑blossom crowds prompted police warnings after officers found about 50 vehicles illegally blocking traffic at a popular viewing spot — officials urged respectful hanami behaviour as visits surge. (cbc.ca) The incident is a reminder to plan parking and timing if you chase blooms there this week. (cbc.ca)
Over the weekend of March 28–29, Richmond RCMP mounted targeted traffic enforcement along the 3900 block of Russ Baker Way and issued 32 violation tickets, delivered numerous verbal warnings and had two unoccupied vehicles towed. (rcmp.ca) The enforcement took place at Larry Berg Flight Path Park, beside Vancouver International Airport, where “No Stopping” signs are posted along Russ Baker Way. (rcmp.ca) The City of Richmond posted a Cherry Blossom Safety advisory on March 18, 2026 saying the seasonal display draws tens of thousands of visitors and identifies Russ Baker Way and Steveston Village as hotspots with heavy weekend congestion. (richmond.ca) The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival runs March 27–April 17, 2026, and lists events including a Blossom Block Party on April 4 and the Sakura Days Japan Fair on April 11–12 that concentrate visitor numbers. (vcbf.ca) Community tracker VanCity Sakura maps 143 cherry‑blossom sites across Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond and Surrey and published live bloom‑status counts on April 1 to show which spots are in peak or falling bloom. (vansakura.com) Richmond RCMP’s public release specifically urged people to park in designated areas, cross only at marked crosswalks, obey pedestrian signals and follow posted restrictions to protect road users and emergency‑vehicle access. (rcmp.ca)
