Vancouver Park Board wants nature in the city, not an urban jungle

 

Vancouver Park Board has approved a comprehensive plan to increase the size and quality of Vancouver’s natural areas including:

• Forests
• Wetlands
• Streams
• Shorelines
• Meadows

The Biodiversity Strategy will expand vital habitat for:

• Pollinators
• Birds
• Urban salmon and herring
• Wildlife such as beavers and otters

At a regular Board meeting last night, Commissioners unanimously approved the implementation of a new eleven-part action plan to promote, protect, and enhance the urban wildlife that Vancouverites cherish.

"Our Biodiversity Strategy lays the foundation for the sustained ecological health of our city,” says Park Board Chair, Sarah Kirby-Yung. “It’s the road map for improving access to nature for all Vancouverites and ensuring biodiversity is a celebrated part of city life well into the future.”

Read the the Biodiversity strategy

Biodiversity Strategy builds on example of Habitat Island

With this strategy the Park Board continues to look beyond its traditional role as a custodian of green spaces, with a vision for an urban environment in harmony with nature. A good example is its creation of Hinge Park and Habitat Island at Olympic Village.

Today, the island and adjacent intertidal area and storm water-fed wetland in Hinge Park host freshwater wetland, rocky intertidal zone, and shoreline forest.

“Hinge Park is a prime example of how with a little creativity we can introduce novel habitats for biodiversity into dense urban neighbourhoods,” says Nick Page, Park Board biologist. “Thanks to the success of Hinge Park we’re actively exploring similar opportunities across the city.”

Herring now spawn on the cobble intertidal zone of Habitat Island while surrounding willow and shrub thickets provide a rich habitat for songbirds.

A pair of beavers made the Hinge Park wetland their home in summer 2015. They've cut down trees and shrubs for food and lodge building material, but they are also well-loved by many in the local community as a symbol of Vancouver's relationship with nature.

Park Board will restore or enhance 25 hectares of natural areas by 2020

Similar success stories exist across the city where, with a little ingenuity, the Park Board is protecting, restoring and enhancing the size and quality of Vancouver’s natural areas.

Forests

Working with community partners Park Board has restored close to 13 hectares of forests in:

• Stanley Park
• Musqueam Park
• Jericho Park
• Everett Crowley Park
• Fraserview Golf Course
• Langara Golf Course

The Biodiversity action plan will restore or enhance an additional 25 hectares of natural areas by 2020 – that’s more than 25 football fields!

Blue heron colonies

Through Park Board conservation work, Stanley Park continues to play host to one of the largest urban great blue heron colonies in North America.

Creeks

Ongoing work to restore Still Creek was rewarded by the return of more than 20 chum salmon in 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Shoreline and sub tidal habitats

The Park Board is working closely with Port Metro Vancouver on restoring shoreline and sub tidal habitats along Burrard Inlet. The restoration of the salt marsh at New Brighton Park is expected to be the first of its kind in British Columbia.

Watch for a tree sale this spring to help grow our urban tree canopy 

 

Park Board is leading the Urban Forest Strategy and will restore native forests in Stanley Park, Jericho Beach Park, Musqueam Park, Everett Crowley Park, Renfrew Ravine Park, and other parks.
It plans to distribute up to 3,000 low cost trees during a spring planting event to encourage you to grow the urban canopy.

Other planning actions under the new strategy

Other planned actions under the new strategy include:

• Working with the City to better control invasive species
• Incorporating pollinator meadows into new and existing parks
• Empowering you to enhance the ecological health of your own backyards through education programs

 

Last modified: Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:12:43

Report Back on Refugee Motions

On December 14, 2015, the Vancouver Park Board debated 2 motions concerning refugees.  Here is the staff report back on those motions:

In the motion titled “Refugee Support” (Mackinnon/Wiebe), staff were directed to work with community partners to welcome and support refugees living in Vancouver and to report back on measures taken.  The motion titled “Responding to the Syrian Refugee Crisis” (Evans/Mackinnon) was referred to staff to examine the possibilities of using vacant caretaker suites as temporary housing for Syrian refugees.  Following is an update on the initiatives and actions taken to date.

Refugee Resettlement Plan

The Government of Canada announced its Syrian refugee resettlement plan with the goal of relocating 25,000 Syrian refugees who are currently living in Turkey, Lebanon or Jordan.  As of January 22, 2016, the resettlement goal of 10,000 Government Assisted Refugees (GARs) relocated to Canada by January 1^st and another 15,000 settled by March 1^st, has been extended.  Vancouver immigrant and refugee service agencies require additional time to find permanent homes and have requested a pause of 5 days in accepting new refugees.  Overall, it is expected that 2500–3000 GARs (10%–12%) will settle in British Columbia: 300 in Vancouver, 900 in Surrey, 600 in Coquitlam, and 120 in New Westminster.

Additionally, an estimated 5,700 Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSRs) are expected within the same time frame. As noted on the Government of Canada website, "in an effort to minimize security risks and provide a new home for vulnerable refugees, Canada has asked UNHCR to prioritize vulnerable refugees who are a low security risk, such as women at risk and complete families".  

Syrian Refugee Strategic Planning Group Participation

Since November 2015, Park Board staff have been working with City staff and other key community partners to review and coordinate response efforts.  This Syrian Refugee Strategic Planning Group, includes representatives from:

·         BC Housing

·         BC Ministry of Jobs, Tourism & Skills Training & Responsible for Labour

·         Citizenship and Immigration Canada

·         City of Vancouver

·         Immigrant Services Society of BC

·         Vancouver Coastal Health

·         Vancouver Park Board

·         Vancouver School Board

The Park Board is represented by Darren Peterson, Acting Manager of Recreation City-wide Services and Paul Czene, Recreation Coordinator, Access and Volunteer Service.

ISS of BC provided members with an overview of the settlement process and a flowchart of the “Key Phases for Syrian Refugee Movement to Metro Vancouver”.  This flowchart indicates the timeline from initial reception to settlement and the various steps and needs along the process. 

Leisure Access Program Changes

The Park Board’s Leisure Access Program (LAP) reduces accessibility barriers for immigrants, refugees, and the undocumented.  In recognition of the importance of connecting refugees to their new communities, the LAP has created an expedited 3^rd Party Referral process in coordination with immigrant and refugee serving agencies.  This process provides same day service at the closest Vancouver recreational facility.

Community Youth Workers Involvement

It is projected that 36% of the Syrian refugees will be under the age of 19.  As such, Park Board Community Youth Workers have been provided special briefings in preparation for the expected high need for youth support and services for the refugees settling in Vancouver. 

Park Board Caretaker Suites

On December 14, 2015, the Board motion “Responding to the Syrian Refugee Crisis” was referred to staff.  This motion proposed that staff “examine all currently unoccupied and uncommitted former caretaker suites” to determine whether any could be used “as temporary accommodation for government sponsored refugees from Syria”. 

Staff have reviewed the park fieldhouse inventory and identified eight vacant caretaker suites that have not yet been committed to other uses – all of which are completely unfurnished.  When considering whether any of the available suites would be appropriate accommodations for vulnerable refugee populations, staff noted the following concerns: 

•          Limited Space - caretaker suites are very small, suitable for 1-2 people; the understanding is that most of the current refugees are arriving as families;

•          Social Isolation – fieldhouses are stand-alone buildings without close neighbours; parks are closed to the public after hours; locations do not offer convenient access to amenities and services;

•          Public Pressure - residents would be perceived to be park caretakers or staff; the public will approach with questions and concerns regarding the park, maintenance of public washrooms, facility access, and other issues;

•          Safety & Security – fieldhouse residents are exposed to user conflicts, substance misuse in and around the facilities, vandalism, after-hours loitering, homeless populations, and other situations that could create discomfort and impact feelings of safety and security.

While there are two locations that may offer less isolation (closer to amenities), the other factors listed above would still apply.  As well, it is important to note that the Fieldhouse Activation Program is gearing-up to put out a Request for Expression of Interest (RFEOI) to local community sport, art & culture, food, and environmental groups in exchange for community programming.  The current plan is to advertise and promote all eight vacant caretaker suites as opportunities for residencies and community activations.  Staff were expecting to post the RFEOI in March and have community groups move-in to the caretaker suites by May 1, 2016. 

Staff are continuing to work with City and key partners to welcome Syrian refugees to Vancouver and to provide the ongoing community support and connections they require. The processes developed through this collaborative response effort will help inform the Park Board's practices for providing refugee support moving forward.

Park Board to Mayor: Elected Commissioners Strongly Oppose Sunset Beach Park as 4/20 Location

Vancouver Park Board

News Release

February 15, 2016

Park Board to Mayor: Elected Commissioners Strongly Oppose Sunset Beach Park as 4/20 Location 

Vancouver Park Board Chair Sarah Kirby-Yung today wrote to Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson with grave concerns that the City of Vancouver confirmed Sunset Beach Park to organizers of this year’s 4/20 event without the support of the elected Board of Commissioners. The Park Board has sole jurisdiction over parks in the City of Vancouver. 

In the attached letter,  Kirby-Yung advised the Mayor that the elected Commissioners have serious concerns regarding the illegal, unsanctioned and unpermitted event and that the Board does not support 4/20 taking place at Sunset Beach Park or any other park. 

“We respectfully request that you direct City staff immediately to work with organizers to identify an alternate location to Sunset Beach, respecting the will of the Board and the Parks By-Law prohibiting smoking,” said Kirby-Yung.

The Park Board Chair asked the Mayor for meeting with appropriate staff – at the earliest opportunity - to work together to identify an alternate location for a safe and orderly 4/20 event.  

Should an alternate location not be found, the Park Board Chair advised the Mayor that she expected that all costs in ensuring public safety, refuse collection and repair of any damage to the park or beach and any legal liability arising for any unfortunate accidents or injuries at 4/20 in Sunset Beach Park should be borne by the City of Vancouver.

  

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Media Contact: 604-257-8699

Vancouver.ca/parks

Vancouver biodiversity plan to restore 25 hectares of natural ecosystems by 2020

by Carlito Pablo on February 2nd, 2016 Straight.com

The Vancouver Park Board has approved a plan to enrich the natural environment of the city.

Park commissioners voted unanimously on Monday (February 1) in favour of a biodiversity strategy to restore or enhance 25 hectares of natural areas by 2020.

“It’s the road map for improving access to nature for all Vancouverites and ensuring biodiversity is a celebrated part of city life well into the future,” park board chair Sarah Kirby-Yung said in a statement.

According to a staff report, natural areas are forests, wetlands, streams, and other ecosystems that are composed primarily of native plants and animals. Older forests in Stanley Park, wetlands in Jericho Beach Park, the Still Creek corridor, and Trout Lake are among the natural areas in the city.
Vancouver had 847 hectares of natural areas as of 2010, according to staff. These include forests, shorelines, streams, wetlands, and meadows.

Priority actions include restoring native forests in large parks such as Stanley, Jericho Beach, Musqueam, Everett Crowley, and Renfrew Ravine.

Another measure is the improvement of the ecosystem health of False Creek, Still Creek, and Musqueam Creek.

“While the Biodiversity Strategy emphasises the importance of native ecosystems and species, it also recognises the value of urban habitats such as green roofs, constructed wetlands, and pollinator gardens in supporting biodiversity within the city,” the staff report explained.

The target of 25 hectares is roughly the size of the VanDusen Botanical Garden, and half the area of the Langara Golf Course, according to staff.

Staff also noted that Stanley Park accounts for 28 percent of the total area of parks in Vancouver, and around 67 percent of all natural areas in the city.

“Biodiversity is interwoven into Vancouver’s urban landscape: migrating songbirds nest in our forests, salmon spawn in our remaining streams, and tall trees define some of our most important parks,” according to staff.

Staff also emphasized that biodiversity is “part of a healthy city, access to nature sustains the mental and physical health of Vancouver’s citizens”.

Follow Carlito Pablo on Twitter @carlitopablo.