Vancouver School Board to consider privatising school field

 Well, that didn't take long. And really, not too unexpected. Within months of being elected, the majority ABC/NPA Trustees on the Vancouver School Board are already contemplating hiving off school board land and either leasing it or selling it to private entities. In a news report, CTV News Vancouver explains the 'Vancouver School Board is looking to sell or lease school property that is currently part of Graham Bruce Elementary School'. It seems the ABC/NPA thinks there is too much land for kids to play on at that location.

Not only is this ridiculous (can kids really have too much play space?), but it is also bad public policy. Public land is held in trust by this and past generations for the future. Once public land is sold, it is almost impossible to ever get it back. Cost alone would prohibit it, not to mention the lack of available land in a dense urban community like Vancouver.

Recent Boards have considered selling off lands like Kingsgate Mall, and parts of John Oliver Secondary, but enough public pushback silenced those proposals at least temporarily. The Chair of the Board says that selling isn't on the table at the moment, but you know even if this is a trial balloon, the idea has already been set.

Even if it were true, that Bruce has too much play space, why wouldn't the VSB share it with the Park Board and make it a public space open to all? It isn't like there is too much park space in East Van!

When I was with the Vancouver Greens, we had a policy of no net loss of green space for parks, and no selling of land for schools. So far the Van Greens have been silent. I sincerely hope there has not been a change of policy from them. I cannot imagine that One City or COPE would contemplate this. Even with the Greens onside, the ABC/NPA majority could move ahead with this if they chose. This is why local politics matter, and why who you vote for makes a difference. There was no suggestion of this policy in the ABC platform, but once in power, one never knows what a party will do.

Once it is gone, it is gone. We owe it to the children of today and tomorrow to preserve public lands. Short-term monetary gain is as ephemeral as the wind. Here one moment, gone the next.

Tell your Vancouver School Trustees that selling public land is a bad idea. 

Stanley Park's Polar Bear pit back in the news

 In a news item, CBC's Justin McElroy writes about a proposal to turn the old Stanley Park Zoo polar bear pit into an 'urban spa'. For those old enough to remember, the polar bear pit was a concrete bear pit within the old zoo. The bears paced back and forth in lethargic stupors, imprisoned in concrete and metal. To call it cruel and unusual punishment for majestic animals caught and held captive through no fault of their own would be an understatement. For many, the polar bear pit was the final nail in the coffin of the zoo. The zoo closed in December of 1997, one hundred and nine years after it was first opened as a pound. The zoo was closed after a plebiscite in 1994 showed it was an anachronism no longer wanted by the citizenry [more history can be found in Scout Magazine].

A 1963 photo of the polar bear enclosure at the Vancouver Zoo in Stanley Park. 

It was shut down in 1996. (City of Vancouver)

Since then, while the rest of the former zoo site has been rehabilitated, or overtaken by the ever-expanding Vancouver Aquarium, the polar bear pit languished, abandoned, fenced away and covered by brush, unseen to most visitors. Now, 25 years later an architect has proposed taking over the old site and making it into an urban spa. No price tag was attached to the proposal presented in the article, nor who would pay for it, but it would seem that it will be presented to the Vancouver Park Board at a future meeting. 

Strange proposals are not new to the Park Board. About 15 years ago the NPA-led Board proposed animatronic dinosaurs for Stanley Park. There have been temporary zip lines, a Ferris Wheel, and a circus tent at Queen Elizabeth Park, and each year VanDusen Botanical Gardens hosts a classic car show on its Great Lawn.

It isn't clear whether this would be a private initiative, a public/private, or a wholly public one. When one considers the land values in downtown Vancouver, this could be a real financial plum for a private initiative. And of course, this initiative comes with 'no business plan or budget' attached to it. Once the new Commissioners learn the cost of rehabilitating the site they might understand why it hasn't been done before.

What is new is that a Green Commissioner would be an advocate for such blatant commercialization of public spaces. Newly elected Green Party Commissioner Tom Digby seems to be supporting this initiative wholeheartedly. What makes this troubling is, despite all the work previous Boards have done on reconciliation, this new proposal would be presented without prior consultation with the three First Nations that have called Stanley Park home since time immemorial, and who now have a working relationship with the Park Board through the Stanley Park Intergovernmental Table, and despite the Park Board's initiative to co-manage Vancouver Parks with the Nations.

Previous Green-led Boards opposed further commercialization of Vancouver parks. It is not surprising that the ABC majority on the current Board would be interested in more commercialization--the Chair of the Board says he would 'love to see this come forward'-- but for a Green Commissioner to express such support without even an idea of how this will impact the park or the relationship with the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples beggars' belief.

By all means, accept the proposal and have staff do a thorough analysis if that is the will of the Board, but Commissioners should be doing their due diligence, not being cheerleaders for unsolicited projects.

Donnie Rosa becomes Squamish Nation Executive Director of Ḵ’iyáx̱an Ch’áwch’aw (Community Services)

 In a media release Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, the Squamish Nation, has announced the appointment of former Park Board General Manager Donnie Rosa to a leadership position.

    Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw is on an exciting journey – rekindling our language and cultural practices, asserting our rights and title, increasing own-source revenues, and expanding the range of services provided to Members. A new organizational structure came into effect in April 2023 as the Nation continues to build capacity as a modern Indigenous government to support this vision.

The existing departments have been realigned into four divisions, each of which will be managed by an Executive Director.

Ḵ’iyáx̱an Ch’áwch’aw (Community Services)

Nexwníw̓mamin Ch’áwch’aw (Territory & Culture Services)

Nexwnínlhewá7nem Ch’áwch’aw (People Services)

X̱etx̱ítayus Ch’áwch’aw (Corporate Services)

 We are pleased to announce the appointment of three of the Executive Directors, two of whom are Nation Members. All three start their roles on August 1, 2023 and will report to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). 

In the release a biography of Donnie Rosa reads in part: 

    With over 30 years’ experience in parks, recreation, planning, facility management, operations, arts, culture, and community building, Donnie Rosa (they/she) has been a champion of equity, diversity & inclusion. Most recently Donnie was the General Manager for the Vancouver Park Board where they led the strategic efforts to centre reconciliation by creating a new and important team to decolonize the park boards colonial systems and build relationships in community. The Decolonization, Arts & Culture team, with Donnie’s support, led important policy efforts including the Urban Indigenous Food Sovereignty policy, the Burrardview Urban Food Forest initiative, the policy on co-management of parks with local First Nations, the formal Apology to the Nations and most recently the raising of the flags representing the xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish Nation) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) at spapəyəq Pápiyeḵ, commonly known as Brockton Point in  Xwáýxway (Stanley Park). Donnie also led the team in the delivery of sθәqәlxenәm ts'exwts'áxwi7 (Rainbow) Park. Ḵ'iyáxan Ch'áwch'aw Community Services Executive Director Appointed Twice named to Vancouver Magazine's Power 50 list, Donnie is acknowledged for how they do their work in community, leading with compassion and heart. Donnie was named the City of Vancouver’s Leader of the Year, as well she and her team won the Equity & Inclusion award for outstanding policy work to remove barriers to accessing programs for all community members. 

Congratulations to Donnie Rosa!

The entire release can be found here.

Donnie's complete bio can be found here.

New Year, New Adventures

 

This year will see many changes in my life. I am transitioning to a new adventure on Vancouver Island. My passion for parks and natural spaces has not diminished, but like my residence, will move to a new locale. I hope to explore the many parks and natural spaces on the Saanich Peninsula and the Capital Region, as well as further afield as I explore the wonders of the coastal islands. You can find my new blog at: ruralbynature.ca 

My postings here may not be as frequent, but I hope you will check back occasionally to see what I have discovered in my new home and environs. I will also continue to watch and comment on parks and recreation in Vancouver, as my commitment to my 'hometown' is as strong as ever.

Happy Holidays!

 Wishing you all the best of the season and hope for a happy new year.

Stay safe, stay warm, and if you are fortunate enough to have one, stay home.

Vancouver Park Board, 2018-22: A Term Like No Other

A statement from the elected Commissioners of Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation

 November 4 2022

This week, the Commissioners of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation sent a letter of apology to the leaders of the three Host Nations. The letter apologizes for the Park Board's actions and inactions in relation to colonialism, and the harm inflicted on the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples both historically and in the present day.

We sincerely hope this apology forms one more step on the road toward reconciliation, and that these words are supported by ongoing work among our governments and communities.

Farewell To All That

The election is over. The people have spoken and now it is time for me to prepare my farewells. There is still one more meeting of this Board (October 27) and then the inaugural meeting of the next (November 7). Seven new Commissioners will be sworn in. I wish them good service and good luck, as I do to all the elected representatives at Council, School Board and Park Board.

There will be lots of time to reflect on and analyze the outcome, but for now, there are still a few loose ends to tie up and one or two more events to attend. 

For the record I have had:

30 years as a teacher

23 years as a parks and public space advocate

11 years as a Park Board Commissioner

7 years as a Public Library Trustee

3 years as Chair of the Park Board

2 years as a Governor of the VanDusen Botanical Garden Association

2 years working for the Honourable Jody Wilson Raybould MP

And countless years as a volunteer in my community

I am proud of my service. But I am especially proud of our work at the Park Board. From ending cetaceans in captivity to ensuring all children get a good start for a life-long passion in recreation, and fostering and working toward reconciliation with the first peoples of this land. We have embedded reconciliation, equity, and climate adaptation into every decision. Yes, I am proud of our achievements.

We had many challenges and successes over the past four years and we have hope for the next. It has been the greatest honour and privilege to serve as a Commissioner of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. I want to thank all the Commissioners present and past who have given so much to their community. We have not always agreed on how to get there, but we have all agreed that the Park Board is important, worthwhile, and relevant.

To our staff, I cannot thank you enough, for your dedication and passion. From the frontline to the General Manager, you all serve with passion and integrity, and you have my undying respect and thanks. To the incoming Commissioners, you have an awesome legacy to protect, but you have VanPlay to guide you.

I will move on to other things now, but these 11 years will stand out as some of the most rewarding of my life. Thank you for honouring me with your trust. I have always had what I thought was in the best interest of the Park Board and our community as my guide. Thank you for letting me serve.

Vancouver’s Komagata Maru memorial vandalized for second time

 Glass photograph at front of site smashed on or before Oct. 4

BLACK PRESS MEDIA STAFF Oct. 5, 2022

Vancouver's Komagata Maru memorial has been damaged for the second time in just over a year, and police say it appears to have been intentional once again.

Back in August 2021, the memorial was defaced with white paint and hand prints. This time, the glass photograph at the front of the site was smashed.

The Vancouver Police Department said it learned of the fresh vandalism on Tuesday (Oct. 4), and it’s since launched an investigation to determine who did it and why.

“We don’t just want to find the person who did this, but also understand why this cherished memorial was targeted,” Const. Jason Doucette said in a news release.

The memorial was installed in 2013 to pay tribute to the 376 passengers aboard the Komagata Maru steamship, which travelled from then-British India to Vancouver on May 23, 1914. The passengers were not allowed to disembark from the ship due to racist policies of the day when they arrived and, after two months on board with little food, water or medical attention, they were forced to turn back. There, 19 were shot and killed and many others were jailed as political agitators.

In response to the latest vandalism, Vancouver’s parks board chair called the act “despicable” and “cowardly.”

“…it shows enormous disrespect to those who travelled and suffered on the ship and to their families. It is shocking and heartbreaking that a community which has been historically marginalized has once again been subjected to a hateful act,” Stuart Mackinnon said in a statement.

Police are investigating whether the perpetrator could also be connected to a different act of vandalism in the area from three days prior, when the Olympic Cauldron was smashed.

The person believed to be behind the first defacement of the Komagata Maru memorial, Yuniar Kurniawan, was charged with mischief back in January.

Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 604-717-0613, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

original post here

Park Board Chair Stuart Mackinnon's statement on Komagata Maru memorial

I am saddened and angered to hear of the defacement of the Komagata Maru memorial. 

This is a despicable, cowardly act that must be called out. The perpetrators must be caught. There is no place for hate in our city.

This is not the first time this monument has been vandalized, and while the perpetrators’ motivation isn’t yet clear, it shows enormous disrespect to those who travelled and suffered on the ship and to their families. 

It is shocking and heartbreaking that a community which has been historically marginalized has once again been subjected to a hateful act. 

Everyone at the Park Board condemns in the strongest terms this abhorrent act of racism. We stand in solidarity with the South Asian community.

Stuart Mackinnon, Chair
Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation