So the
Chair of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation is promoting changing the name
of Guelph Park to Dude Chilling Park. No surprise here.
Vision Vancouver, ever afraid of being on the wrong side of public opinion, and
in their perpetual attempt to be hip, jumps on-board the band wagon once again.
Remember Mayor Robertson’s support for changing Stanley Park to Xwáýxway? Remember Commissioner
Jasper’s attempt to name the new park at Trillium Jim Green Park?
Never mind that the Park Board has a process for
park naming. Never mind that parks are generally named in perpetuity and that
they are purposely chosen, not for fad or nonsense or rewarding political allies, but rather to reflect the
geographic area or the historic contribution of an individual.
Dude Chilling Park may sound amusing to
us now, but will it still be in 5 or 10 years, or will it simply be an anachronistic
embarrassment? Is this really what the community calls it? Is it just a handful
of people, or even simply one person’s joke?
Is it even
necessary to change the name? Pioneer Place
at Carrall and Hastings has been known as Pigeon
Park for years. No one has come forward to initiate a name change. In the
same way if Dude Chilling Park is what the community refers to it as, the name will stick.
If the
community really would like the name changed then by all means ask the Park
Board to initiate the process. The process takes time, but it reflects community will. Have the community consulted in a meaningful
way. An amusing sign, however beautifully made, is not meaningful consultation.
Nor is an on-line petition. Democracy sometimes takes a little longer, but it’s
worth it.
Great post Stuart.
ReplyDeleteRe: "A Park By Any Other Name ..." ....Graffiti artist Viktor Briestensky's "Dude Chilling Park" previously known as Guelph Park"
( Part 2 of 2 posts depending upon length )
When I was first contacted about 'Dude Chilling Park' I was intrigued as this was a sign ( pardon the pun ) that someone had connected with one of the many unique and well used parks in Mount Pleasant. I was pleased that the identity of person involved has been determined. According to The Province article today it is Vancouver graffiti artist Viktor Briestensky. Now we know the context and the 'urban legend' has been solved. I understand the workmanship was excellent.
The real issue here is one of process. The referral of the on-line petition in support of the renaming by a Commissioner who happens to be the Chair of the Park Board is of interest because of a recent clarification of the ability of Commissioners to be take part in conversations or discussions regarding issues that will ultimately be the subject of a debate and vote by them. Recent CofV legal opinions have prevented Commissioners from undertaking public engagement when the matter is 'under negotiations'. Are not all matters being considered under negotiation as the alternatives and various aspects of the matter are being identified and considered. Or has politics changed since I was elected. This recent redefinition of the on-going role of a Commissioner should be the subject of a debate / blog / tweet / formal legal hearing but this will have to wait.
Whether Guelph Park needs a new 'official name' it has already been granted a popular or neighbourhood name as Stuart rightly notes. He mentions Pigeon Park rather than the official Pioneer Park at Carrall and Hastings. Another example is CRAB ( Create a Real (Readily) Accessible Beach ) Park at the foot of Main Street in the dtes. When the Park Board requested that it be named CRAB -- the name that Don Larsen and all those that slept, fought and got arrested over it --- the Port Authority unveiled Portside Park and it took a number of years for the sign to be changed to CRAB at Portside Park. Therefore Viktor Briestensky has already accomplished his intent -- the Park will forever be known by those in the know as Dude Chilling Park.
I am sure there is more to say but I must get my walking shoes on and ejoy a sunny Fall day in Vancouver before I have to go off and work at the Paul McCartney concert this evening at BC Place Stadium. I sure hope that Bruce Springsteen will join Paul on stage.
I digress but this is one of the biggest concerts to hit Vancouver since Michael Jackson was here in November 1984 -- the evening that the Connaught Bridge was closed to all but EHS ( the ambulance guys ) to allow the new Mike Harcourt Expo Bridge to be completed.
to be continued ....
These comments are my own. They in no way should be considered the official views of the Mount Pleasant Community Centre Association -- of which I am pleased and proud to be the current Chair.
Christopher JK Richardson, FCA
( former Vancouver Park Commissioner 1986 to 1990 and 1999 to 2002 )
Great post Stuart.
ReplyDeleteRe: "A Park By Any Other Name ..." ....Graffiti artist Viktor Briestensky's "Dude Chilling Park" previously known as Guelph Park"
( Part 1 of 2 posts depending upon length )
As noted during the recent debate regarding the naming of a Park after the Late former Councillor and Mayoralty candidate Jim Green and the concurrent discussion regarding the possible renaming of Discovery Square ( bounding Melville, Dunsmuir and Burrard Streets ) Art Philips Park in honour ( not memory ) of the 32nd Mayor of Vancouver -- the naming of a Park is the highest honour that the City of Vancouver / Park Board can bestow on a person. I would say that it is even higher than 'Freeman of the City' status as there is a infinite number of those designations but only 220 + Parks to name. Therefore the process must be taken slowly, with due process and with great respect.
I am interested that the Park Board and the elected 7 Commissioners have apparently determined that the installation of this sign was an act of vandalism and not public art as they removed it within hours of it appearing. I still hope that the sign can be installed in the lobby of the nearby Mount Pleasant Community Centre ( # 1 Kingsway ) while this debate continues.
to be continued ....
These comments are my own. They in no way should be considered the official views of the Mount Pleasant Community Centre Association -- of which I am pleased and proud to be the current Chair.
Christopher JK Richardson, FCA
( former Vancouver Park Commissioner 1986 to 1990 and 1999 to 2002 )
The Park Board appears to be inconsistent. It sounds as if Sarah Blyth is supportive of the idea of the Dude Chilling Park name to the extent of pubicizing a petition, but then the sign by the graffiti artist was taken down? I think there is a policy muddle going on here.
ReplyDeleteI don't fault the Park Board for taking down the sign. It was unsanctioned, and beared the Vancouver logo.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Guelph Park will henceforth be known as Dude Chilling Park to those "in the know", but why not push it one step further? Let's get this park renamed officially. Sure, 10-15 years down the road it might confuse someone, but that will motivate them to investigate the history of it. It will become another quirky piece of Vancouver, like the giant carved out wooden head in Stanley Park. (If you haven't seen the head, I recommend you take a little walk!)
If it happens or not, I'm glad the original sign was made, and that so many people have gained at least a smile from it & the petition. (now at over 1,350 names)
I support this renaming. I think the process should go through if there is sufficient will from the community. I don't blame the City for taking down a counterfeit CoV park sign, but if this was an act of vandalism, Mr. Richardson, it is vandalism I wish we had more of.
ReplyDeleteAs to how we will feel about the name in 15 years, I imagine the worst that will happen is that most won't know why it was named as such, just like all the other parks and streets named after dead white guys whom I know nothing about.
Also, I think its unfair to criticize Vision for not wanting to be 'on the wront side of public opinion.' In a representative democracy, the ruling party should usually be on the side of public opinion. Not always, but usually.
Dustin, you make some good points,but its unfortunate that this is the heated conversation that is current regarding parks. Considering all the important topics available about the Park Board right now,I really question why this is the petition you put your energy into. But maybe your last name is a hint or just a coincidence.
ReplyDelete