SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The San Diego Zoo has offered free parking for 102 years, but will soon begin charging for parking as the city grapples with a $258 million budget deficit.

The decision to introduce parking fees at the San Diego Zoo comes as part of a broader move by the city council to address the significant budget shortfall. The council has already voted to implement parking charges at Balboa Park, which has historically offered free parking.

The move to charge for parking at the zoo requires a change to the existing lease agreement. The Zoo Alliance is currently negotiating the terms of this change, aiming to make the new arrangement work under the circumstances.

As the October 1 deadline approaches, details such as discounted rates for local residents and a revenue-sharing

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