[Editors Note: During election time, the mayoral and council races tend to get all the attention. It is for this reason that we at Spacing Vancouver are grateful to the Vancouver Public Space Network for sending us their survey responses from the Park Board candidate. We fully share their enthusiasm to spread the word on these important public space issues.]
1. What is your ultimate model for public engagement to inform Park Board decisions?
How would you achieve this?
Upton, Jason (NPA)
I am open to hearing any improvements and if they are obviously sensible – would want to implement them.
Pri Toor, Freyja
A dedicated member from each Neighbourhood Residents Association attend every and all Park Board Hearings and Meetings. This person will then be responsible to take the information back to their individual neighbourhood Residents Association and inform the Public what is happening at the Parks Board. ARKS, Arbutus Ridge Kerrisdale Shaughnessy Residents Association, has already taken a step in that direction. The information will also be passed on to all the other Neighbourhood Residents Associations in our City.
Mckinnon,Stuart (Green)
Public engagement can be done in many ways. Open houses, public forums and on-line surveys come to mind. There is no ultimate method; the model has to be multi-dimensional to get as broad a response as possible.
Crawford, Casey(NPA)
We have to be creative and utilize some new technologies to maximize the public input into Park Board decision-making. This could include web-based forums and meetings, telephone town halls, etc. In addition, I would hope to continue the current process of holding Park Board meetings at different locations around the city – and at different times and days of the week. Travelling across town to meet the convenience of the Park Board schedule is not the best way for engaged consultation.
Greenwell-Baker, Donalda / Granby, Brent (COPE)
COPE’s ultimate model of public engagement would consist of a variety of elements tailored to reach the different demographics of residents who make up Vancouver to allow a real dialogue and listening process to build consensus on important issues. Other elements of effective community engagement would be: Sufficient notice to allow residents time and thought on issues that affect them. Provide notice on site if possible on
issues relevant in respective neighbourhoods. Expand use of social media to inform, educate and engage. Advertise in community newspapers and bulletins. Host public meeting with Park Commissioners and staff. Improve VPB website for interactive information sharing and eliciting feedback.
Loke,Trevor, Jasper,Aaron, Sharma,Niki, Barnes,Constance + Sarah Blythe,(Vision)
Public input and inclusion is the foundation of a healthy, long-term parks and recreation service in Vancouver. The Vision Park Board led an extensive public consultation process to develop its new 5-year strategic plan. Input was sought from a wide cross-section of community representatives and staff for inclusion into the creation of the Park Board new goals and priorities. Building on that success, we will improve the process for public consultation with regards to all aspect of the Park Board mandate and operations. Vision Vancouver will also utilize technology to ensure that more voices have the opportunity to contribute to public discussions and to have greater impact on the opinions and the
decision-making of Park Board.
2. What role do you think the Park Board should take in creating new neighborhood scale gathering places – particularly in underserved areas like Mount Pleasant and South Vancouver?
Greenwell-Baker, Donalda / Granby, Brent (COPE)
Vancouver Park Board should support community-gathering hubs as part of the process of park redevelopment. All parks should have gathering nodes designed within the park infrastructure, such as covered and raised areas with electric outlets to support community gathering, community base artistic production and professional art production.
Mckinnon,Stuart (Green)
One has to understand what you mean by gathering place, and what purposes you have in mind. Our parks are already open spaces designed for gatherings of different sorts. Our community centres are designed for gathering people as well, though in smaller numbers. The acquisition of land for new public spaces is one of the goals of the Park Board, though this is increasingly more expensive.
Crawford, Casey (NPA)
The Park Board could take a very active role in creating new outdoor gathering spaces. We’ve seen many examples of ideas created at cities across the globe turning underutilized space into wonderful places for quiet gathering, active play or community gardens. I look forward to working with neighbourhoods to identify opportunities and working to bring them to life.
Pri Toor, Freyja
The Parks Board should take priority in creating new neighbourhood scale gathering places, especially in underserved areas like Mount Pleasant, South Vancouver, Champlain Heights, Kerrisdale, Dunbar to name a few. There need to more social gathering places for Seniors that is easily accessible from their homes in which they grew up, raised their families and are now minding the young ones.
Loke,Trevor, Jasper,Aaron, Sharma,Niki, Barnes,Constance + Sarah Blythe, (Vision)
The Vision Vancouver led Park Board is in the process of building a new seniors centre in South Vancouver/Marpole. Mount Pleasant has a new green space community garden and re-purposed the wading into a skate park.
Upton, Jason (NPA)
Parks Board should play a large role in creating new gathering spaces, wherever they are deemed to be necessary.
3. There’s lots of community-based talent (design, construction, fundraising, communications, etc.) that could be tapped for creating new green spaces and stewardship of existing parks around the city. If elected to the new Park Board, how would you involve community organizations and volunteers with the operations and development of Vancouver’s Parks?
Mckinnon,Stuart (Green)
During this term on the Park Board I introduced a motion to allow community groups to access under-utilized pockets of public lands for community flower gardens. I think this is a great way of encouraging community members, alone or in groups, to take ownership of their neighbourhood to enhance the beauty and to encourage community spirit. I would like to see other initiatives like this in every neighbourhood.
Crawford, Casey (NPA)
The Park Board has a history of involving the community in visioning, planning and even fundraising for park projects. Going forward, I hope the public engagement processes mentioned earlier go a long way towards embracing this community talent.
Upton, Jason (NPA)
Agreed regarding the available talent! I would be open to discussing this with the other Park Board commissioners, if elected, and with the community stakeholders. Again – open to suggestions and ideas!
Loke,Trevor, Jasper,Aaron, Sharma,Niki, Barnes,Constance and Sarah Blythe, (Vision)
The Vision Vancouver led Park Board currently utilizes extensive consultation process that incorporates the talents of the community to create the best possible spaces and facilities. Throughout the city there are under-used spaces that could be converted to park spaces. Local communities could help us to identify those spaces and the city could develop a community process and plan to convert the selected areas into neighbourhood parkettes, unlocking new green space in neighbourhoods across the city.
Pri Toor, Freyja
Once elected, I would be taking the role that I have volunteered for with ARKS and create a Neighbourhoods Residents Representative Organization. This Core Leadership group will be selected by the each Neighbourhood Residents Association, these Citizens will be responsible to their Neighbourhood by attending all Park Board Hearings, Meetings, Public Events, etc. They will each provide a monthly report to their Neighbourhood Residents Association. When certain Agenda items come up that will require Volunteers, the Core Leadership Group that will be in charge of getting volunteers from all the Neighbourhood Residents Association. This way all the vast community-based talent can be tapped into and there can be real relationship between the Parks Board and Neighbourhoods.
Greenwell-Baker, Donalda / Granby, Brent (COPE)
Volunteers are important assets and partner with Vancouver Park Board. COPE Park Board Commissioners would facilitate the creation of independent not for profit and self funded neighbourhood stewardship groups to be partners with the Park Board to advocate on behalf of the parks in the city. An excellent example of this model this is the Ecology Society of Stanley Park.
4. There is a demand for off leash dog facilities in Vancouver’s parks with the greatest demand in the Downtown, West End and West Side parks. What are your ideas to incorporate off leash facilities in Vancouver’s Parks for 2012?
Crawford, Casey (NPA)
Consultation again is the key. We plan to engage the neighbourhoods and learn about the areas of need and identify possibilities for the whole community to consider (also considering previous proposals). No action on new off leash areas would move forward without a thorough process. We also believe a renewed emphasis on public education on responsible dog ownership and enforcement of existing by-laws is required. In addition, simplification of the rules surrounding off leash areas is urgently needed (signage, hours of operation, boundaries, etc).
Upton, Jason(NPA)
My ideas would be to see where the greatest demand is for new off leash facilities, ensure that the process is fair and balanced involving consultation and proceed with new facilities as the budget allows.
Loke,Trevor, Jasper,Aaron, Sharma,Niki, Barnes,Constance and Sarah Blythe, (Vision)
Vision Vancouver will also review off-leash dog policies, working from the premise that we need designated areas, not staggered times. Park Board staff will work closer with the city on enforcement to ensure better compliance with off-leash regulations.
Mckinnon,Stuart (Green)
This is the one problem that no board has been able to adequately solve as there is intransigence on the part of many stakeholders. Learning to live within the rules is the first step. Respect for others using parks and public spaces has to be paramount. Fenced areas work in many other jurisdictions and the Park Board is beginning to work with this idea. Ultimately it is up to dog owners to control their pets and understand that owning a dog is not a right but a responsibility.
Pri Toor, Freyja
There is an extremely high demand for off leash dog facilities in Vancouver’s Parks, especially in the Downtown, West End and West Side Parks. We need to designate areas along the shore line for off leash dog facilities. Just as much as children require so do our dogs require exercise and socialization in a dog-friendly zone. We are down by the water on a daily basis with our girl because that is how she enjoys taking baths in the sunshine, rain and snow.
Greenwell-Baker, Donalda / Granby, Brent (COPE)
There is $270,000 in the Capital Plan for enhancement of dog parks. The cost of new fencing ranges from $30,000-$65,000 per project. In the next 3 years the Park Board could build at-least 4 new fenced in off leash dog areas in Vancouver parks. COPE supports the review of dog parks and expansion of fenced in off-leash dog parks where the need is most, determined in consultation with all park users on a case-by-case basis. More signage and education would also help with conflict between park users. All park users must follow and respect the posted rules and be respectful and polite to each other. There are only 12 Animal Control Officers, who have the authority to write tickets. However current staffing levels do not support more enforcement. Park Rangers at this time do not have any enforcement role, but could play an important educating function. Conflict between users should be resolved in a respectful manner between citizens. If residents have a problem they may call 311 to report violations.
5. If elected to the Parks Board, what would be your priorities over the next three years?
Hamilton, Jamie Lee
I support and will always continue to lobby and support more public spaces for our City. We need more public space, not less.
Mckinnon,Stuart (Green)
Adequate funding for the Board. Proper maintenance of parks and public spaces. Renewal of aging infrastructure. Fair fees (including rescinding the fees for toddlers). Increasing the number of public, safe & clean washrooms. Ending the Park Board use of leaf blowers in residential areas.
Loke,Trevor, Jasper,Aaron, Sharma,Niki, Barnes,Constance and Sarah Blythe, Vision
1. Make Programs Affordable for Everyone
2. Enhance citizen participation in our Parks System
3. Support youth development in our communities
4. Focus on front-line services and strengthen fiscal responsibility
5. Make arts and culture fundamental to our community centres
Upton, Jamie(NPA)
1) to not allow ANY MORE cuts to the park board budget 2) to encourage new funding from the City, Province and Federal Government for our current parks and 3) to see if more services can be added to the park system to increase revenue WITHOUT compromising the natural state of the parks. Then, with this funding enhance and expand the park system for the benefit of its users.
Greenwell-Baker, Donalda / Granby, Brent (COPE)
COPE’s priorities for the next 3 years will be to ensure services and facilities are affordable and that the City allocates a budget to support this priority. The case needs to be made to City Council and local residents that services and facilities of the Park Board are proven crime prevention tools in Vancouver and are extremely important for improved community health and safety. The Park Board needs to keep taking action on climate change issues. In particular, reducing green house gas emissions it produces and plan for the effects of climate change going forward. The Park Board needs to facilitate, support and encourage intercultural, intergenerational planning from front line workers to incorporate into the design of parks and facilities.
Pri Toor, Freyja
Ecodensity is coming to our City and it needs to be done in a Sustainable Way. Big developments are going to be taking place in different communities all over the City in the next decade. With these developments, Developers have to provide money to the neighbourhood for community services that will be required. Right now these funds go into one big pool and get dispersed depending on where the City feels the funds should be used. As Parks Commissioner, I would like to see these funds being allocated to the Neighbourhoods in which the developments are happening, if funding is left over then distribute it to other Neighbourhoods in the City which require it. Pri would also like to see that there is more access to the all the waters surrounding the City of Vancouver. This Peninsula jutts out into the Ocean and the only access for Vancouver City residences are the Marinas and 1 boat Launch down in False Creek. Vancouver’s early industry was all on the water because of how easy it is to move product over water rather than land. There needs to access to the North Arm of the Fraser River for the residents of Vancouver. Accountability is very important and crucial when it comes to using Public Funds. Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreations is a Public Board that needs to be more open and detailed in the Revenue and Expenses incurred in the running of such a big facility.
Crawford, Casey(NPA)
Work to protect the independence of the Park Board; refocus Park Board resources on the maintenance of our parks, gardens and recreational facilities; improve core deliverable Park Board services to Vancouverites; explore creative funding solutions and resources to increase revenue generation to the Park Board; highlight parks and recreation as a critical element to promoting Vancouver as a healthy city; and support parks and recreation facilities and expansion through capital plan funding and development.
6. Access to parks in Vancouver is not consistent throughout the city even though the Parks Board and City Planning aims to provide 2.75ac or 1.1ha of park space per 1,000 people. How would you help the Parks Board achieve its targets in all parts of the Vancouver?
Pri Toor, Freyja
This is where the CAC funds from Developers would help, for every large development the developer needs to provide the neighbourhood with the 2.74ac per 1,000 people that the development will hold. This land will then be immediately transferred over to the City when the developer gets their Development Permit Approved.
Loke,Trevor, Jasper,Aaron, Sharma,Niki, Barnes,Constance and Sarah Blythe, Vision
Vancouver’s parks are part of what makes our city great, and there are increasing demands for different uses of them. That’s why the Vision Vancouver Park Board will create new Pocket Parks, working with local neighbourhoods to identify and develop innovative new green space.
Mckinnon,Stuart (Green)
Land costs continue to climb making it difficult for the Park Board to buy new lands. Working with developers to include public lands (or cash in lie), in new developments, to provide for more space. An inventory of unused publicly owned land must be maintained to adequately understand what is not being used so that it could be turned over, even temporarily, for public use.
Granby, Brent / Greenwell-Baker, Donalda (COPE)
Equality of access to parks and facilities will be addressed by making this a priority in the Capital Planning Process both through redevelopment of existing park assets and in new asset acquisition.
Crawford, Casey(NPA)
Maintain a good working-relationship with Council and city staff to ensure any opportunities for funding from development contributions, are made available to the Park Board for park and facility expansion. Follow-through on commitments already made to increase park space (e.g. north-east False Creek park).
Upton, Jamie (NPA)
as #5.
7. Parks Service fees have continually increased in the recent past. How will you ensure that park and recreation facilities are accessible and affordable to all residents while maintaining a good service level?
Loke,Trevor, Jasper,Aaron, Sharma,Niki, Barnes,Constance and Sarah Blythe, Vision
Vision Vancouver wants to make community recreation more accessible and affordable for families. Community recreation is an important part of healthy living, and an area where many families struggle to find the resources to participate. Vision Vancouver will help families gain access to recreation programs, like selected free programing on specific days at recreation centres across the city, to ensure everyone has opportunities to a healthy active lifestyle.
Mckinnon,Stuart (Green)
Every citizen of Vancouver pays taxes. Taxes should be used to off-set at least a portion of recreational fees. Toddlers were charged fees for the first time under this current mandate. I want those fees rescinded. A good start in life includes recreation.
Granby, Brent / Greenwell-Baker, Donalda (COPE)
COPE commissioners will advocate to Council to ensure that the Park Board’s Budget is sufficient enough to provide quality services that are affordable. COPE will hold the line on fees so as not to adversely affect the participation of low-income residents. COPE will also support incentives to support sustainable transportation choices.
Upton, Jamie(NPA)
I don’t believe service fees should be increased. They should be frozen or even decreased if possible.
Pri Toor, Freyja
We need to have a more clear detailed break up of where all the Revenue is generated and where all the Expenses are incurred, down to how many sheets of toilet paper are left on the roll. Service Fees need to be frozen while the Park Board Books get audited.
Crawford, Casey(NPA)
A difficult problem without an easy answer. Costs are increasing, residents are calling for larger or more facilities (see question #6), affordability is being questioned. This speaks again to an active, engaged consultation with the neighbourhoods. What do you want to see in your local park system? What do you not want to see? What are you willing to pay for that level of service? What opportunities do you see to help fund these projects?
8. The City’s Greenest City program called for the creation of more community gardens and orchards across the City. What are your ideas on how to incorporate urban agriculture opportunities across the City?
Crawford, Casey(NPA)
The Park Board could be an excellent facilitator for these types of projects. It could bring together interested community groups once land is acquired. The Park Board already has an in-house team of horticulture experts that could be a wonderful resource to the planning and implementation of new gardens. The NPA Commissioners would also investigate the idea of a small-scale farm that could introduce school children to the food growing cycle.
Upton, Jamie(NPA)
I am not in favour of turning parks into community gardens. It’s restricts their usage too much for the average person.
Granby, Brent / Greenwell-Baker, Donalda (COPE)
More community gardens will be developed in Vancouver through a proactive consultative planning process where staff would identify community gardens sites in every neighbourhood of Vancouver. COPE commissioners will also direct Park Board staffto facilitate the creation of independent self-funded not-for-profits to operate and manage the communities gardens.
Mckinnon,Stuart (Green)
See answer to question 3. Utilizing under used public spaces must include gardens and orchards.
Pri Toor, Freyja
The Parks Board should be planting trees that provide fruits and nuts, there should be vineyards hanging over all arches and pedestrian walkways. Developers should be creating community gardens on the rooftops of towers, especially in high density neighbourhoods. Green that is edible should be planted as ground cover.
Loke,Trevor, Jasper,Aaron, Sharma,Niki, Barnes,Constance and Sarah Blythe, Vision
Vision Vancouver is committed to the concept of growing food in an urban setting and has built a community garden at City Hall and has established 450 new community garden plots in the city. This initiative enhances the City’s food security and reducing the City’s ecological footprint by reducing “distance to fork” through encouraging more locally grown, culturally appropriate and affordable food production. Over the last three years Vision Vancouver Council has approved several policies including: developing Urban Agriculture Design Guidelines for new private developments; passing a motion in support of Farmers Markets and supporting the Vancouver Food Strategy.
9. How can the Parks Board encourage and support Vancouver resident’s ability to improve their physical and mental health and provide opportunities for youth and seniors?
Granby, Brent / Greenwell-Baker, Donalda (COPE)
Parks, fitness facilities and community centres are vital amenities in every neighbourhood. They are spaces where we can exercise our bodies and minds using the both the equipment and diverse services. In addition, parks and recreational services are the public spaces of Vancouver where residents make friends and share experiences with existing friends. This public space contributes to positive health outcomes for individuals, supports and develops communities and social networks while making us happy in the process.
Crawford, Casey(NPA)
This is almost the definition of why the Park Board exists. The NPA is committed to highlighting Vancouver parks and recreation facilities as a critical element in the promotion of Vancouver as a healthy city. We must strive to increase park and recreation user visits and educate the public on the many wonderful opportunities within our park system. In addition, I believe our sport facilities provide an excellent for youth to stay healthy and active. A single sport field can provide countless hours of activity for hundreds of individuals.
Pri Toor, Freyja
With the formation of a Neighbourhoods Residents Representative Association we will be able to have more community involvement input. When the Parks Board hears the input from the communities on how they wish to improve their physical and mental health and what opportunities should be provided to youths and seniors.
Mckinnon,Stuart (Green)
Lowering fees for recreation, keeping parks well maintained, and making sure parks are safe, and have services necessary for everyone, including more washrooms.
Loke,Trevor, Jasper,Aaron, Sharma,Niki, Barnes,Constance and Sarah Blythe, Vision
Neighbourhood community centres are often the first place our young people get to experience sports and arts and culture outside of the school system. A Vision Park Board would work to enhance a full-range of affordable, quality services aimed at our youth. We will also introduce more youth-themed parks including skateboarding BMX biking, climbing walls and murals. The Vision Vancouver led Park Board is continuing to support seniors and is in the process of building a new seniors centre in South Vancouver/Marpole.
Upton, Jamie(NPA)
This is an excellent question. No doubt there are many possibilities in this category. Again, I’m open to suggestions and agree that parks can be very therapeutic to all.
***
