Natural beauty is worth protecting. Our children not only need places to play, but also places to enjoy and explore nature. We all need places of tranquil refuge from our busy lives. The animals and birds that help make our urban lives enjoyable need places to nest and raise their young.
People and nature in balance is my vision for our parks and recreation system.
At the 16 May 2016 meeting of the Board of parks and Recreation I put the following motion on notice. Hopefully it will be debated at the meeting on Monday 30 May 2016.
Mover: Commissioner Mackinnon
Seconder:
Whereas
British Columbians with disabilities
encounter a variety of physical, sensory and technological barriers as well as
ones related to communication, education, employment, attitudes and many others
on a daily basis.
And whereas
The Federal Government of Canada is working
toward the goal of enacting a Canadians with Disabilities Act which will
require goods, services and facilities which come under their jurisdiction to
be accessible to all persons with disabilities.
And whereas
A Canadians with Disabilities Act will only
apply to goods, services and facilities made available through Federal
Ministries and federally funded programs with no ability to apply a similar
requirement on goods, services or facilities made available through provincial
governments or provincially regulated businesses.
And whereas
The Government of British Columbia launched a non-mandatory; non legislated initiative entitled "Accessibility 2024" on June 16 2014 with the goal of making BC the most progressive province in Canada for people with disabilities by the year 2024.
And whereas
The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
has been a leader in providing accessible and inclusive programming and
facilities.
Be it resolved
The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation formally
supports the Barrier-Free BC movement that is calling upon BC's Legislative Assembly to enact a strong and effective British Columbians with Disabilities Act.
The Vancouver Park Board has approved the design contract for four new parks in the south east corner
of
the city. Totaling 7.8 acres, the parks are part of the Park Board’s
commitment to create 25 acres of new parks and green space in the East
Fraser Lands.
The parks included in this contract will link up to trails along the Fraser River and create ecological connections to Everett
Crowley Park and Fraserview Golf Course to the north.
“These new parks will enrich the entire community in and around the East Fraser Lands, an area currently undergoing considerable
urban development,” says Park Board Chair Sarah Kirby-Yung. “The greenway portion along the Fraser River will support our BiodiversityStrategyby enhancing access to nature for residents and increasing habitat for local birds and wildlife.”
Together, the four parks will also create a network of open spaces for
the neighbourhood and could include features such as plazas, play areas, ecological spaces, greenways and lawns.
Funding
for the design work comes from the 2015-2018 Capital Plan, specifically
through Development Cost Levy (DCL) contributions.
Design work will take place through 2016 and 2017 and construction is scheduled to begin in 2018.
For the first time ever you’ll be able to rent a chair and an umbrella at English Bay this summer.
The Vancouver Park Board has approved a two-year pilot project for the rental service.
Stuart Mackinnon was one of two commissioners who voted against it.
He says it perpetuates the commercialization of public spaces.
“It’s separating those who can afford and those who cannot afford. Our public spaces and our public beaches are for everyone.”
Blue Hole Investments will operate the service under the name “The Vancouver Shade Company.”
It will pay up to 18% of gross annual revenues back to the Park Board.
No word on how much it will cost to rent a chair or umbrella.
Published on: May 13, 2016 | Last Updated: May 15, 2016 8:54 AM PDT
West Fraserlands resident Rob Howatson in the field that the city plans to turn into a daycare.Arlen Redekop / PNG
What looks like a park, smells like a park, and is even dubbed a park might not be a park at all.
That’s one of the lessons stemming from a battle breaking out between
residents and the City of Vancouver over plans to redevelop a playing
field in (or as the city corrects, beside) Riverfront Park into a
daycare and, eventually, a school.
It’s a move that has some locals worried over a loss of playing space for themselves and the projected future population in the area approaching 17,000, around the size of Squamish or Salmon Arm.
From the perspective of residents, the quarrel dates back to November
when city staff proposed an amendment to the East Fraser Lands official development plan that would push a future daycare west of the 52 hectare development area and onto a small field at 3010 E Kent Avenue South.
From the city’s perspective, the date to bear in mind is 1989, when
the site was zoned for an elementary school and child care centre. It
wasn’t until a few years later that park board turned the lot into the
temporary playing field it is now, staff note.
The city has good reason to move the daycare from its previously
planned space, given that it was destined for a spot south of Marine
Way where kids could suck in pollutants as they played outside. There is
also an existing shortage of child care spaces west of the development
area, and moving it a little closer to those families can’t hurt.
But the move would also free up room in East Fraser Lands for more
residential development, contingent on a community consultation
and rezoning process.
“Given a significant community and
city-wide need, and the city’s goal to achieve affordable,
family-oriented housing in East Fraser Lands, this use would be a
consideration for this site,” according to a statement from the city. It’s a consideration that was not clear from the city’s communication slides staff presented at a recent open house on the matter.
Rob Howatson is among those protesting the city’s plans. Protesting
is not exactly an everyday thing for Howatson, who disclosed that he had
to use the Internet to search for “how to make a protest sign” before
heading out to join other residents at a Thursday rally. “Our ask is
grass,” the sign ultimately read.
About 40 residents turned up to protest the loss of playing field space at 3010 E Kent Avenue South, Thursday May 12, 2016.Andre Bleich /
Vancouver Sun
About 40 residents turned up to protest — a rare (if not first-time)
activity for many, which pointed to the built up frustration, Howatson
said.
“We know the city’s capable of getting creative and we want them to
do that,” he said, pointing to an initiative by the city to put daycare
spaces onto the roof of a downtown parkade. “We’d like to see the city get creative here and find a site in the river district.”
For Howatson, the biggest problem with the city’s plans is the loss
of unscheduled play space in an area slated for growth. “We’re looking
ahead,” he said, noting that although there’s a lot of walking room in
the area, there’s not much open space for play.
That’s a point Park Board Commissioner Stuart Mackinnon agrees with.
“While it may look like we’re park rich in that area … it’s not
recreational in the sense that you can play there,” he said, noting that
much of the nearby green space is devoted to forested or waterfront
paths and a golf course. And while the city’s plan calls for the
eventual development of a pair of playing fields in East Fraser Lands,
one will programmed, Mackinnon said.
About 40 residents turned up to protest the loss of playing field space at 3010 E Kent Avenue South, Thursday May 12, 2016.Andre Bleich /
Vancouver Sun
Over the decades residents have come to use the space heavily, said
objector Bill Grulkey. The space is now popular with neighbours, their
dogs and ultimate Frisbee players, he said.
Even the city occasionally appears to treat the field as though it
were park land; the lot appears green and is labelled Riverfront Park on
the city’s mapping app, and an ultimate field is listed on the city’s website as being among the park’s amenities. Park board staff regularly cut the grass and maintain the space.
All that considered, there is little park board can do about the matter, Mackinnon said.
The city is asking for feedback from residents on the proposed amendments and there will be a public hearing in June or July, staff say.
Look, linger and listen during Vancouver Bird Week, May 7 – 14.
Bird Week is a week-long series of events to celebrate Vancouver's birds. It was inspired by World Migratory Bird Day, a United Nations-sponsored initiative that recognizes the importance of birds as the key indicators of our environment's health.
“Vancouver
residents have embraced Bird Week since it was launched in 2013 and
events fill up quickly,” said Vancouver Park Board Chair Sarah
Kirby-Yung. “Birds are
visible markers of a healthyecosystem and watching and listening to them helps reduce stress.”
The theme this year is Birds in our Garden and there are more events than ever before.
“Interest
in Vancouver as a birding destination is growing among residents and
international ornithologists who will flock here for the International
Ornithological
Congress in 2018,” said scientist, author and film maker Rob Butler.
There
will be free bird-related art workshops, walks, talks, exhibitions and
lectures across Vancouver highlighting backyard birds and how to improve
their living
environment around us. Bird Week events include:
·Hands-on with Birds, May 7 - 14
·Garden Plants for Birds, May 7
·VanDusen Bird Walk with Richard Wing, May
7
·UBC Plant Sale, May 7
·Dawn Chorus Walk, May 8
·Mothers’ Day Bioblitz, May 8
·Photographing Birds, May 8
·Meet the Photographer-Bird Photography
Exhibition, May 9
·Owl Prowl, May 9
·Create Graphic Stories Based on Back Yard
Birds, May 10, 11 and 13
·The Messenger (exclusive screening)
with introduction by David Suzuki, May 11
·Bird Taxidermy, May 12
·Chinese Brush Painting, May 12
·Bird Week Big Day (bird count), May 14
·Bird Walks in Vancouver parks, May 14
·Introduction to Bird Watching, May 14
·Discovery Station: Birds of VanDusen, May
14
·Build Your Own Nest Box, May 14
·Drawing Birds: An Introduction, May 14
·Sea Safari of Howe Sound, May 14
·Bird Week Finale, May 14
Vancouver Bird Week is organized by a collaborative partnership of non-profits, artists, and other institutions, in partnership with the Vancouver Park Board and the City of Vancouver.
Re: “Is Vancouver really running out of land?” April 14.
It is always a pleasure to read Michael Geller. His
knowledge is vast and his experience unparalleled. I am surprised how often I
am in agreement with him. But his idea to build housing on Langara Golf Course
and the Sixth Avenue berm is very wrong-headed. One of the reasons he gives is
one of the very reasons we should not — the value of the land. Once that land
is taken out of green space it can never be replaced — certainly not in those
neighbourhoods. With the huge development at Oakridge and the new development
on the Dogwood/Pearson lands, green space becomes even more important for the
Langara area. Vancouver’s natural beauty is worth protecting. Our children not
only need places to play, but also places to enjoy and explore nature. We all
need places of tranquil refuge from our busy lives. The animals and birds that
help make our city lives enjoyable need places to nest and raise their young.
Let’s think of new and innovative ways to build more housing, but let’s not
take away the pleasures that make living in Vancouver worthwhile.
Stuart Mackinnon, Park Board Commissioner, Green Party of
Vancouver
2 May 2016 Meeting of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
Moved by:
Commissioner Mackinnon
Seconded
by: Commissioner Wiebe
Whereas it
is the City of Vancouver’s desire to be the greenest city;
And that
the City of Vancouver is adopting the long -term target to capture and treat
90% of Vancouver’s average annual rainfall through the implementation of green
infrastructure (GI) on public and private property throughout the City;
And that
the VanDusen Botanical Garden could use captured water for its needs during times
of restricted water use;
And that an
unused reservoir lies within the VanDusen Botanical Garden;
Therefore
be it resolved that the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation ask the City of
Vancouver to the re-activate the VanDusen reservoir;
And further, to work with the City to allow
this captured water to be used to irrigate the VanDusen botanical collection at
times of restricted use of water.
VANCOUVER,
B.C. - On the agenda of the public PNE/Hastings Park Board meeting
Friday evening, April 22 (6 PM, PNE Hastings Room) is a motion to
endorse the continuation of the controversial “Learn to Fish” program
first implemented at the Hastings Lagoon and Sanctuary in Hastings Park
in 2013.
But at least one regular park-goer, Vanessa Scott - who has
lived adjacent to Hastings Park since 2007 and has a background in
communications, governance and environmental science - will be attending
tonight’s meeting to say “not so fast.”
According to Scott, Hastings Lagoon & Sanctuary was
originally constructed as a biofiltration wetland, intended to naturally
filter pollution from urban runoff soiled by the emissions of nearby
major streets, parking lots and a nearby gas station. It has since
become an important anchor for biodiversity in the area, attracting at
least 137 bird species, including nesting species-at-risk Green Herons
and Bald Eagles.
Scott worries about the public health
effects of consuming fish caught in a lagoon designed to capture and
filter toxic pollutants, and about the cumulative impacts of the fishing
program on the overall biodiversity of the Sanctuary and surrounding
area.
“I was thrilled to learn that the City of Vancouver this
week adopted a biodiversity strategy that explicitly recognizes the
importance of constructed wetlands to biodiversity, and that also
recognizes the Hastings Lagoon and Sanctuary as one of the largest of
Vancouver’s rare freshwater wetlands,” said Scott. “I sincerely hope
that in light of this new strategy, the PNE Board will reconsider the
fishing program at the Sanctuary.”
Green Party of Vancouver Park Board Commissioner Stuart
Mackinnon, long an advocate for Hastings Park to be placed under Park
Board governance is more scathing in his criticism.
“The 'fishing program' is in a place called the Sanctuary.
It was purpose built just for that: to be a Sanctuary for people and
wildlife. This venture goes completely against its purpose and design.
This is an outrageous attempt by the PNE and Vision Vancouver to turn
every square inch of Hastings Park into an amusement park,” said
Mackinnon.
Green Heron photographed at Hastings Lagoon and
Sanctuary April 16, 2016. Photo credit: Jock McCracken
(https://www.flickr.com/photos/141768494@N08/26407814776/)
The Vancouver Park Board is creating a salt marsh in New Brighton Park to restore fish and wildlife habitat along the shore
of Burrard Inlet, and improve access to nature for park visitors.
The
Board approved a concept plan for the creation of this unique
two-hectare (five-acre) intertidal wetland last night.
Coastal wetlands are critical for juvenile salmon as they migrate from
rivers and streams, as well as for shorebirds and waterfowl that use
them as resting spots.
“The salt marsh is unique in Metro Vancouver and will provide critical habitat for juvenile fish, shorebirds, waterfowl
and migrating birds in one of our most beautiful shoreline parks,” said Vancouver Park Board Chair Sarah Kirby-Yung.
“This
ambitious project stems from the Park Board’s Biodiversity Strategy to
create healthy ecosystems and enhance natural
areas throughout the city. It’s going to be an exciting opportunity for
park visitors to see the ebb and flow of tides into the salt marsh, and
the seasonal patterns of bird activity and vegetation change.”
The
salt marsh is a partnership between the Park Board and the Vancouver
Fraser Port Authority. The concept plan was created
after three rounds of public consultation and ongoing engagement with
Aboriginal groups. The salt marsh design includes viewing platforms,
interpretive signs, picnic tables, and enhanced access to the east
beach.
The
Park Board has committed $400,000 to the project, while the Port will
fund the remainder of the project’s $3-million
budget. Park Board staff will work with the Port to advance the concept
plan through detailed design, permitting and construction with a
completion target of spring 2017.
“Our
partnership with the Vancouver Park Board on this project supports the
goals of our Habitat Enhancement Program, which
focuses on creating, restoring and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat,”
said Duncan Wilson, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s Vice President of
Corporate Social Responsibility. “New Brighton Park provides a
significant opportunity for the program and we look
forward to working with the Board to complete the project.”
The salt marsh supports the Park Board’s BiodiversityStrategy and BirdStrategy, and was proposed as part of the 2011 Hastings Park / PNE Master Plan.
