A survey of 240 people who use Royal Victoria Park in Bath has shown that the vast majority are opposed to the new parking charges.
Steve Watkins, who runs the refreshments and amusement concessions in the play area, decided to question users about the introduction of parking charges because he believes it is affecting his business.
Bath and North East Somerset Council introduced the measures back in June in a bid to stop commuters leaving their cars their all day and free up space for park users.
Now, people who want to park there have to pay £1 and hour and can only stay for up to two or four hours, depending on the zone.
Mr Watkins said his survey, which he has handed in to the local authority's parking services department, shows the strength of feeling about the move.
His figures show that 66 per cent of people believe there should be no charges and 70 per cent think the restrictions should not apply on Saturdays.
The vast majority, 78 per cent, said there should be a one or two-hour free parking zone for those who wanted to visit the park.
Mr Watkins said: "The council has promised to review the scheme early in 2014 and a public debate will hopefully encourage the councillors to make some changes to counteract the reduction in park visitors."
Families visiting the park told the Chronicle they had mixed feelings about the introduction of parking charges.
While most agreed that it had freed up spaces, they resented having to pay to visit their local park.
Jeff Pearce, 42, had travelled from Warmley to take his two children to the play area and said that although the £1 charge did not put him off, he understood that it could be too expensive for some people.
He said: "There are not as many cars over there any more, but it is a bit of a shame that you have to spend £1 now.
"I think it is just another money-spinner for the council."
Rebecca Jordan, 36, had walked from Weston with her two children because she did not want to pay to park.
"I think it is a positive thing really," she said. "Because if you need to park at least you can now. Before you just used to drive round and round looking for a space."
Jools Browning said he believed it should be free, limited parking, which could be monitored by people leaving cards on their dashboard explaining how long they had been there.
He said: "I'm broadly against it. I think it is great to free up the spaces, but I think they have gone from one extreme to another."
His friend Graeme Hood, 41, from Weston, added: "I think a two-hour limit is fine, I think that part of the idea is good, but I don't like having to pay for it."
A B&NES Council spokesman said the parking charges were due to be reviewed in the new year, which would look at the impact on local traders and nearby residential streets.
However, he added: "The introduction of limited parking times has returned Royal Victoria Park to being an open, pleasant green space for people to visit rather than a long-stay car park clogged-up with vehicles at every turn.
"The overwhelming majority of motorists who previously used this space from Monday to Saturday were not there to enjoy the park, play areas, sports facilities, or botanical gardens – they parked their car for the day and walked to their next destination.
"As a result of the limited parking times, people visiting the park can find a space quickly and conveniently. They no longer need to worry about whether space is available in the first place."
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
