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 | 11:24 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.

However, an organizer with the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival says she’s noticed that people have become more respectful.

One of the events for the outdoor festival from March 27 to April 17 was held last weekend at David Lam Park in Vancouver and drew thousands of visitors.

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Linda Poole, founder and creative director of the festival, says there were few incidents at the park, where blossom-viewing rules are established, including no shaking the trees or breaking branches.

“And do you know this year, I only had to remind one father who was shaking the branch a bit so that the petals would fall on his baby,” Poole says. “It’s like people have learned, finally, to be respectful.”

RCMP in Richmond 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.

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.”

The festival also hosted a pet parade under the cherry blossom trees in Vancouver on Sunday, inviting pet owners across the city to show off their dogs, many of them in costumes.

“Dogs wore Downton Abbey outfits and hats and little tailored suits. It was crazy. I want everyone to enjoy,” she says.

Coming in April will be the kanzan blooms, the showy double pink blossoms, which Poole says will only last about two weeks.

“I also want to tell people not to take them for granted,” Poole says of the cherry blossom trees. “We have to take care of them.”

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

The Canadian Press