22 June 2020

Outdoor pools and spray parks opening, lifeguards returning to Vancouver beaches

June 22 2020 

The Vancouver Park Board is opening four outdoor pools, 10 spray parks, and staffing nine Vancouver beaches with lifeguards this summer.

 

July 13: three pools open, lifeguards at beaches


Kitsilano, New Brighton, and Second Beach pools will open and lifeguards will staff beaches for eight weeks, beginning July 13. Maple Grove Pool will also open but may be slightly delayed while staff configure the online booking system.

 

June 27: spray parks open


Spray Parks will begin opening across the city June 27 at the following parks: MacLean, Chaldecott, Harbour Green, Grandview, Hastings, Oak, Stanley, Prince Edward, Pandora, and Garden.

 

Flags to mark designated beach swimming areas


Lifeguards will patrol and supervise designated swimming areas at nine beaches: English Bay, Jericho, Kitsilano, Locarno, Spanish Banks East and West, Sunset, Third, and Trout Lake.

Swimming zones at beaches will be marked by new red and yellow flags (instead of buoys that were used in the past), which indicate the area will be supervised and patrolled by lifeguards between 11:30am and 8:30pm every day through to September 7.

 

Safety measures at pools


New safety protocols have been developed for outdoor pool usage and are aligned with Lifesaving Society Canada’s recently released guidelines. Enhanced lifeguard protocols have also been developed in conjunction with WorkSafe BC.

 

Change rooms closed, swimmers allowed in time blocks


Outdoor pools will reopen for a combination of designated lap swimming sessions and public swimming sessions. Patrons must arrive “swim ready,” as change rooms will not be open and physical distancing protocols will be in place at entrances and exits and throughout the pools’ facilities. Washrooms will be open for users.

Casual swimmers can book a 90 minute swim block, while lap swimmers can book for a 45 minute swim period. There will be a 30 minute buffer between swim periods during which time the facilities will be sanitized and prepared for the next group. The pools will reopen with reduced maximum capacities, in alignment with new protocols around decreased bathing loads.

 

Combined online reservations and drop-ins


Admission to pools will be managed through a combination of an online reservation system and in-person drop-ins, all with contactless electronic payment. Leisure Access Pass holders will be provided with access to the reservation system. Park Board Flexi passes and cash will not be accepted.

Snorkels and kickboards will not be permitted and there will be no rentals of swimming goggles or towels.

Lifeguards and staff will complete ongoing spot cleans on all equipment, facilities, and high touch areas.

 

New guidelines at pools

 

  • Line marking and delineating 2.1 m x 2.1 m (7 ft x 7 ft) physical distancing pods on pool deck.
  • Wider lanes for length swimming.
  • Directional signage, new pool rules, and signage.
  • Lifeguards will wear personal protection equipment when on duty.

 

New guidelines at beaches

  • Physical distancing requirements of 2 m are mandatory for everyone on beaches (lifeguards and community).
  • Change rooms will remain closed, although bathrooms are open.
  • When lifeguards are performing first aid, only the patient and the lifeguard will be allowed in each first aid room at a time. One parent or guardian from the same household will be allowed to accompany a child.
  • Beachgoers are to keep a minimum of 2 m distance from a lifeguard’s chair.
  • Lifeguards will wear personal protection equipment when on duty.

The Park Board will not be deploying rafts at beaches, as there are many obstacles for maintaining community safety and for lifeguards to manage.

 

Water wheelchairs and non-slip beach mats

 
Ten water wheelchairs will be available on a first come, first serve basis at beaches and can be reserved online. Non-slip beach mats are available at Kits and English Bay beaches to allow people with walkers, wheelchairs, and scooters to enjoy the beach experience.

 

What facilities are open

 
In recent weeks, the Park Board has reopened golf courses, VanDusen Botanical Garden, tennis and pickleball courts, skate parks, synthetic sports fields, basketball and volleyball courts, disc golf, roller hockey, multisport courts, playgrounds, and pitch and putt.

The Park Board continues to review the feasibility of reopening other facilities and services and will make adjustments to its operations based on the latest information provided by Vancouver Coastal Health, the Provincial Health Officer, and industry partners.

For more information about the status of services and facilities impacted by COVID-19,
visit vancouver.ca/covid19.


19 June 2020

Vancouver Park Board to reopen Stanley Park with temporary shared roadways for vehicles and cyclists

"I also want to remind Vancouverites that particularly while we are in the midst of a pandemic, we need to remain calm, respectful, and to support each other through this difficult time."
Camil Dumont, Chair of the Vancouver Park Board


June 19 2020 

The Vancouver Park Board passed a motion on Friday, June 19 to reopen Stanley Park with temporary measures to provide modified access to vehicle traffic to support businesses, individuals, and park partner needs. The reopen will see one lane of Park Drive designated for vehicles, while the other will be reserved for cyclists to allow for adequate physical distancing inside the park as the province readies itself to enter phase three of the BC Restart Plan .

The Board has directed staff to take urgent action on this decision and to collaborate with park partners to ensure vehicles will be able to access all park facilities as soon as possible.
Staff will continue work on the reopening plan, which was paused pending the outcome of the Board’s decision. They expect the park could be ready for shared vehicle and cyclist traffic by early next week.

Seawall reserved for pedestrian use only

The plan will route cyclists along the right hand lane of Park Drive, with all motor vehicle traffic using the left lane. Lanes will be demarcated with a series of cones and traffic delineators, with extensive signage to support all roadway users. Under this plan, cyclists will remain on the roadways and not on the seawall, which will continue to be reserved for pedestrian use only.

The plan is temporary and in response to increased park user demands as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Park Board anticipates the plan will be in place through the summer and notes changes in the pandemic may alter future usage further.

This plan is flexible and will evolve

“We need to return vehicle traffic to the park and I think this plan delivers an appropriate balance of the accessibility needs of businesses and individuals, while placing a priority on health and safety,” said Camil Dumont, Chair of the Vancouver Park Board. “I want to remind people that this plan is flexible and will evolve based on feedback from our users and partners, as well as further consultation. I also want to remind Vancouverites that particularly while we are in the midst of a pandemic, we need to remain calm, respectful, and to support each other through this difficult time.”

The Park Board closed Stanley Park to vehicle traffic on April 8 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The park was closed to vehicles in an effort to increase outdoor space for residents of the city and to allow for adequate physical distancing.

Open facilities and services

In recent weeks, the Park Board has reopened golf courses, VanDusen Botanical Garden, tennis and pickleball courts, skate parks, synthetic sports fields, basketball and volleyball courts, disc golf, roller hockey, multisport courts, playgrounds, and pitch and putt.

The Park Board continues to review the feasibility of reopening other facilities and services and will make adjustments to its operations based on the latest information provided by Vancouver Coastal Health, the Provincial Health Officer, and industry partners.

Find more information about the status of services and facilities impacted by COVID-19

original post here.

For the Record: My comments from last night's Park Board Special e-Meeting: Stanley Park Transportation Plan

I believe the staff plan for returning motor vehicles to Stanley Park is prudent and one which allows access to everyone.

My comments from last night's Park Board Special e-Meeting: Stanley Park Transportation Plan can be found here .


10 June 2020

For the Record: My Comments on 'Exploring Options to Reduce Motor Vehicle Traffic in Stanley Park'

These are my comments from the debate on the motion presented Monday night. Much of it comes from my earlier postion 'Accessible Spaces for Everyone' below. You can watch/listen to my comments here.


Thank you, Chair Dumont,

Change is difficult. I understand that. When one-way streets were introduced some thought traffic would grind to a halt. When traffic calming measures were introduced some thought they wouldn’t be able to access their neighbourhood. When angle parking was replaced with parallel parking some thought business would stop. People generally don’t like change. 

As we reopen our parks and recreation facilities, I believe this is a good time to exam our policies on accessibility. Despite what you may have heard or read, this motion is not asking for a ban on cars in Stanley Park. On the contrary, automobile access to the park is just one of the many ways individuals and groups access the park and must be able to continue to do so.

However, as Stanley Park has become more popular, I believe it is time that we looked at who has access and how they do it. I am not at all sure that as it stands the park is easily accessible for all, including those without their own vehicle or those with disabilities or mobility difficulties. I think a complete review of accessibility to and within the park should be examined.

The motion asks that our staff consider alternatives to what is in place now. They may come back with recommendations to pedestrian or bicycle access. They may come back with recommendations that automobile access be changed. They may recommend improved public transit within the park. They may recommend something else completely. Or they may conclude saying no changes are necessary at all. 

The motion asks for consultation, which would include the Stanley Park Intergovernmental Working Group. It would include park partners, stakeholders and the community at large. It would include the City of Vancouver's Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee. I'm sure it would include the Seniors Committee, the Womens Committee, and the other advisory committees of the city. 

I believe it would include the Active Transportation community; the residents of the West End who could be impacted by any changes. It would certainly include the businesses both within the park, and those that could be impacted by changes that are outside of the park. And it would include the public at-large. 

What the motion does not do is prescribe any changes to access.

Just because we have done something for a long time doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. For me what this motion is about is asking “how can we improve access to Stanley Park for everyone?

Access for everyone is an equity issue. Our new VanPlay master plan for parks and recreation has equity as one of its key foundational statements. This motion fits within this mandate. 

Thank you.


09 June 2020

Stanley Park to reopen to all cars in a few weeks


Kenneth Chan
Daily Hive
Jun 9 2020

The closure of Stanley Park’s local roads to private vehicles will end in late June or early July.

The Vancouver Park Board closed the park’s internal roadways — not including the Stanley Park Causeway — to vehicles in early April as a temporary measure allowing for improved physical distancing on the seawall. Cyclists were rerouted to a one-way, two-lane cycling loop on Stanley Park Drive and a bi-directional cycling connector along North Lagoon Drive, while pedestrians retained the use of the seawall.

During Tuesday’s public meeting, Park Board staff said the changes that will be made to road access over the coming weeks will turn one lane of Stanley Park Drive into a lane for all vehicles and the second lane for cyclists. The two-lane roadway will be separated by a hard barrier, and passing lanes will be implemented for vehicles at the wider areas.

“There are a number of complexities when we start the lane approached, and we want to make sure we have the full sign-off from transportation planning to ensure we’re doing it in a safe manner, coordinating with operations and park rangers, and having our ongoing consultation with all of our partners in the parks, meeting their needs as best as we can,” said staff.

“We will require some procurement of the traffic management elements, and we know we need to do that in the COVID supply chain situation, so we’re doing our best to try to mitigate that. We’re sourcing those materials now, there are a number of things at play.”

Staff say the reintroduction of private vehicle access to all restaurants, attractions, and features of the park will help meet a wider range of mobility needs, including those who are bringing a family and individuals with a walker or rolling device.

The single lane of roadway for cycling enables physical distancing for pedestrians on the seawall, effectively opening up more capacity ahead of further phases of BC’s restart plan and the summer months to come, when more visitors are expected. Along certain areas of the seawall, cycling may be reintroduced.

“We’re doing our best to move as fast as we can to meet the timelines of businesses and attractions within the park,” said staff.

“We’re still in a pandemic response mode, we’re seeing park visitation increase in great numbers. The key driver behind this is opening up more space for physical distancing on the seawall by opening up safe room for cyclists on Stanley Park Drive.”

Although Stanley Park visitation has clearly increased during the pandemic, staff stated it was important to note this is a phenomenon for all parks across the city and wider region. Visitation is up by 50% to 60% compared to the same period in 2019, with Metro Vancouver Regional District reporting a 61% increase for its regional parks.

The spike is attributed to those who are “isolated to home or live in small spaces, and don’t have the luxury of gardens or yards,” following the lengthy period of stringent physical distancing and self-isolation.

Staff say the forthcoming temporary road access changes will double as a pilot for long-term planning, providing them with a better understanding of the park’s transportation system, which is a key part of ongoing work being performed on the Stanley Park Comprehensive Plan — a master planning process for the park.

In a 5-2 vote, Park Board commissioners also approved a controversial motion calling on staff to conduct a feasibility study on permanently reducing car traffic within the park over the long term.
As expected, commissioners voted on the motion and amendments along party lines, with COPE and Green Party commissioners in favour and NPA commissioners against.

An online petition fuelled by social media chatter in the middle of May suggested banning all cars in the park, but the motion later put forward by COPE’s John Irwin and Green Party’s Stuart Mackinnon recommended staff to study permanently closing one lane to vehicles — short of a full closure.
Prior to the meeting, businesses in the park expressed their opposition to the idea of the permanent changes, as much of their clientele depends on vehicle access, especially after the impacts of the pandemic, and during the wet and cold months when pedestrian and cycling volumes fall.

NPA commissioners Tricia Barker and John Coupar were also adamant that the decision should be delayed to a committee meeting to allow for this stage of the process to undergo public consultation, but only after health safety concerns end.

Barker particularly took issue with the city’s Seniors Advisory Committee being excluded as a key consultation group for the scope of the study’s work. An approved amendment increased the emphasis on considerations for accessibility for those with disabilities, and only included the Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee.

Instead, public consultation will happen after staff return to the commissioners with a report outlining options and tradeoffs, possibly sometime in 2021.

This particular study, along with the pilot road changes, will help inform the Comprehensive Plan, with staff highlighting that not much has changed with the park’s transportation system over the past few decades despite seeing visitation increase to an estimated 10 million people annually.

“As we reopen our parks and recreational facilities, I believe this is a good time to examine our policies on accessibility. As Stanley Park has become more popular, I believe it’s time that we look at who has access and how they do it. I’m not sure the park is accessible for all, including those without their own vehicle, those with disabilities, or mobility difficulties for seniors,” said Mackinnon, who also asserted the concept of change is difficult.

“I think a complete review of accessibility to and within the park should be examined. The motion asks that our staff consider alternatives to what we have in place now. They may come back with recommendations to pedestrian and bicycle access, they may come back with recommendations that automobile access be changed, and they may recommend improved public transit within the park. They may recommend something else completely or they may conclude no changes are necessarily at all.”

But Coupar argued that Park Board staff and resources should be focused on managing the fiscal fallout from the pandemic and returning normal levels of recreational programming and services.
Earlier in the meeting, staff said the Park Board is currently forecasting a $38 million budget shortfall from the lost revenues of shuttered recreational facilities and cancelled programs, and the increased operating costs relating to the pandemic response.

Stanley Park’s pay parking stalls also typically account for about $4 million of the Park Board’s annual revenues. Privately-operated restaurants within Stanley Park provide roughly $1 million each year, with these businesses paying a percentage of their revenue as rent.

“Using this situation, this terrible situation where we’ve had to made some changes, we all supported it and I think it worked quite well for physical distancing. But to go farther at this point when Park Board staff are extremely stressed in terms of what our staff have to do, and they’ve already told you that they’re already having to resolve some of the issues, I think you’re sending a very wrong signal that you don’t want to listen to the public and that you want to do it from an ideological basis,” said Coupar.

“I think we should be concentrating our staff’s work, getting us back to normal, getting us back to people enjoying our parks and getting seniors in our parks, not getting a bunch of work at this time without listening to public input.”

On other Park Board matters, staff said they are exploring the feasibility of opening the concession stands at beaches and parks at some point later this summer, but it depends on whether there is enough business to sustain these operations.

The commissioners were also scheduled to discuss a motion to allow liquor consumption in a number of city parks and beaches, but it was withdrawn as staff is already working on this as a measure for the Park Board’s reopening plan.

original article here

05 June 2020

Accessible Spaces for Everyone


Stuart Mackinnon

At the next meeting of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation on Monday 8 May, a motion will be brought forward asking staff to examine road access within Stanley Park. Prior to the partial closure of the park because of the pandemic, Park Drive was mostly a two lane road used primarily by cars and buses. Bicycles and pedestrians were directed to the seawall, though some areas of Park Drive has sidewalks. 

During the partial closure access to the park changed with the seawall reserved exclusively for pedestrians while bikes, rollerblading, and other non-motorized traffic was redirected to Park Drive. These changes have proven to be very popular with the active transportation community. Pedestrians have been pleased that they no longer have to share the seawall with cyclists and bladers who, by and large, move at a faster pace, while cyclists and rollerbladers have been happy to have more room to move on the road. An unfortunate consequence of this change however, has been the restriction of people who cannot access the park by bike or walking great distances. Without the ability to drive into the park anyone with any kind of mobility issue has been unable to visit.

As we reopen our parks and recreation facilities I believe this is a good time to exam our policies on accessibility. With that in mind, I have co-authored the motion entitled 'Exploring Options to Reduce Motor Vehicle Traffic in Stanley Park'. Despite what you may have heard or read, this motion is not asking for a ban on cars in Stanley Park. On the contrary, automobile access to the park is just one of the many ways individuals and groups access the park and must be able to continue to do so.

 However, as Stanley Park has become more popular, I believe it is time that we looked at who has access and how they do it. I am not at all sure that as it stands the park is easily accessible for all, including those with mobility difficulties. I think a complete review of accessibility to and within the park should be examined. The motion asks only that our staff consider looking at alternatives to what is in place now. They may come back saying no changes are necessary, that changes to pedestrian and/or bicycle access be changed, that automobile access be changed, or something else completely.

 The motion does ask that “consultation include the Stanley Park Intergovernmental Working Group, as well as park partners, stakeholders and the community at large”. This would include the City of Vancouver's Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee. It would include the Active Transportation community. It would include residents of the West End who could be impacted by any changes. And it would certainly include the businesses both within the park, and those that could be impacted by changes that are outside of the park. What the motion does not do is prescribe any changes to access.
 
Just because we have done something for a long time doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. For me what this motion is about is asking “how can we improve access to Stanley Park for everyone?”

Access for everyone is an equity issue. Our new VanPlay master plan for parks and recreation has equity as one of its key foundational statements. This motion fits within this mandate. This is why I am proud to co-sponsor it.