It's the end of an era at Balboa Park: The San Diego City Council voted on Monday in favor of paid

Parking in and around the park.

Supporters of the move said they need the money to help make up the city's budget deficit of more than $250 million.

More than a hundred people packed city council chambers to fight for free parking at the park, but, in the end, councilmembers voted in favor of a three-tiered system that would be cheaper for residents and more

expensive for non-residents than a recent proposal forwarded by city staff.

San Diego High School students who protested paid parking at Balboa Park got a real-life civics lesson after city councilmembers agreed they shouldn't have to pay more than a thousand dollars a year to park at Inspiration Point, since the school doesn't have

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