1. What is your favourite public space in the city – park, plaza, street, community centre, library, etc – and why?
This is a tough question because I have deep connections to many different public spaces in Vancouver. Can I do my top 3? The first would be Trout Lake (John Hendry Park). My husband and I were married there at sunset and my daughter learned how to skate in the arena. I go there to walk with friends or by myself to think. We’ve thrown multiple birthday parties there and are commonly there through the summer for picnics.
Next would be a tie between Queen Elizabeth Park where I used to jog when I first moved to Vancouver and also the last place I spent time with my sister in Vancouver before she passed, and Britannia Community Centre and Library. My family spends a good amount of time at the library and swimming pool there. The Grandview Park is so close that we will often go get books and then play at the park. It makes for a wonderful (and inexpensive) family outing.
2. In 2013, Vancouver declared itself a “City of Reconciliation”. More recently it approved its UNDRIP Strategy (2022). What role do you think public space should play regarding reconciliation?
Public space plays a critical role in reconciliation—it should be a place where Indigenous culture, history, and sovereignty are visible, acknowledged, and celebrated. Designing and planning public spaces to explore (pre colonial) history of place and cultural insights while creating welcoming shared spaces, can help foster better understanding and inclusion while celebrating diversity. This means ensuring Indigenous-led design in parks and plazas, expanding the renaming of colonial spaces, and embedding Indigenous stewardship into land management. Vancouver has made commitments through its UNDRIP Strategy, but implementation requires thoughtful and intentional “reconcili-action”. We need to expand and support Indigenous-run cultural spaces, educational programming in public venues, and stronger partnerships with Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations in planning decisions. Care should be taken to decolonize naming and programming public spaces in recognition of the harms of settler colonialism.
3. If you could bring one new thing to the Council table on the topics of public safety and wellbeing in the Downtown Eastside, what would it be?
The Downtown Eastside needs more safe, welcoming spaces where people can go during the day—somewhere they can just be without barriers or judgment. Too many public spaces are designed to push vulnerable people out, whether it’s through hostile architecture, a lack of seating, or constant displacement. We need to change that. I’d prioritize creating low-barrier community hubs with services, places to rest, and programming led by people who actually understand the community’s needs. This could mean expanding existing spaces or making better use of city-owned properties that are just sitting empty. People shouldn’t just be “tolerated” in public space—they should actually feel like they belong.
4. How important is the democratic function of public space to you? How would you ensure public spaces like parks and plazas are accessible and inclusive?
Public space is where democracy actually happens—it’s where people gather, protest, celebrate, and connect. To keep it that way, we have to push back against privatization and over-regulation that make public areas feel less, well, public. Ken Sim and ABC have already made it clear they’re willing to sell public asset naming rights to the highest bidder and redevelop public-owned city land into for-profit market housing. We can’t let public space become just another real estate asset. I’d work to make sure parks, plazas, and streets stay open and accessible for everything from rallies to community events to spontaneous street performances. Accessibility isn’t just about ramps—it means designing spaces that work for everyone, making sure they’re welcoming across cultures, and ensuring safety without turning to over-policing. Public space belongs to the people, not private interests.
5. What piece of public art do you like the most? How satisfied are you with the City’s approach to public art? Is there anything you would change?
One of my favorite pieces of public art is the East Van Cross by Ken Lum. As someone who found their home in East Van, I feel a deep connection to this part of the city, and the Cross represents so much of what makes it special—resilience, working-class history, and a strong sense of community. It’s not just a sculpture; it’s a symbol of East Van’s identity, reminding us of the people who have shaped this neighborhood.
Vancouver’s approach to public art has improved, but there’s still a gap between large, high-profile installations and more grassroots, community-driven projects. I’d love to see more funding go toward local artists, especially those from underrepresented communities, and more opportunities for interactive and accessible art in public spaces. Public art should reflect the diversity and energy of the city, and the best way to do that is by making sure the artists who actually live here get the chance to shape it.
6. There are lots of ways that public space planning can support climate-related objectives, including: protecting and planting street trees; initiatives to support walking, rolling and biking; and the restoration and enhancement of local ecosystems. How do climate matters align with your public space priorities?
Climate action needs to be built into every part of how we design public spaces. That means more trees to cool the city, better green infrastructure, and shifting away from car-dominated streets to make walking, biking, and transit the easy choice. We should also scale up our restoration of local ecosystems—bringing back lost streams, expanding native plant habitats, and making sure public spaces and parks are welcoming green spaces that are helping fight climate change and providing natural respite for people and local fauna. If a new public space project isn’t making the city more climate-resilient, it’s not good enough. Every new public space investment should be viewed through a climate lens.
7. The city’s shopping streets have been hard-hit in recent years – and face further threats under the current ‘tariff war’ with the US. What will you do to support our ‘main streets’ and shopping areas?
Our main streets are the backbone of the local economy, but they’ve been hit hard by global economic shifts, commercial rent hikes, and changing consumer habits. The city must be proactive in supporting small businesses—this means commercial rent control discussions, streamlined permitting for pop-ups and events, and investment in making streets experiential destinations (think pedestrian plazas, better lighting, and art initiatives). We should also expand tax incentives for small business owners to help them stay competitive and keep our shopping streets vibrant.
8. In May 2020, City Council approved a goal of transforming 11% of road space into “people friendly public space.” What are your thoughts on the implementation of this ‘road reallocation’ direction? Would you change anything?
Reallocating 11% of road space to people-friendly use is an ambitious and necessary goal, but implementation must be bolder and faster. Spaces like Robson Square and Jim Deva Plaza prove that pedestrian-first design works, but we need more permanent conversions. I would push for an expansion of public spaces that prioritize walking, biking, and community gathering—especially in dense neighborhoods where public space is lacking.
We also need to be smarter about how we design these spaces. The 3-30-300 Rule should be a guiding principle—ensuring that every person can see at least 3 trees from their home, every neighborhood has 30% tree canopy coverage, and everyone lives within 300 meters of quality green space. That means more urban trees, better shade, and a commitment to making streets greener, not just emptier. And we need to do it with community input, not for them—no more generic seating areas with little activation. Make them vibrant, make them used.
9. The City is currently moving ahead with the dissolution of the elected Park Board. How do you think Vancouver’s parks should be governed and stewarded?
I believe Vancouver’s parks should be governed by an independent, elected Park Board, not absorbed into City Hall. Our parks, recreation centres, and green spaces are essential to the city’s culture and livability, and an elected board ensures they are managed with public input—not just by whichever mayor and council happen to be in power. The elected Park Board have done an excellent job of reflecting and responding to grass roots and community interests in the sort of granular focus and attention that an at-large council could not. Handing control over to City Hall means less accountability, more privatization, and a higher risk of political interference in decisions that should be made with the long-term health of our parks in mind.
The City’s move to dissolve the Park Board is undemocratic. Trying to scrap an elected body without public consultation is a betrayal of the voters who elected them. If Vancouverites want to dissolve the Park Board, that should be their decision—not something pushed through by Ken Sim and ABC.
At this point, the decision lies with the province, so the best thing we can do is rally public opposition and make it very clear that Vancouverites don’t support this. We may get lucky and have our next civic election before the province makes a final decision. If that happens, electing a council that values an independent Park Board will be crucial—so we can reverse this before it’s too late.
10. Creating, maintaining and programming public space takes resources. Does the City do enough to fund placemaking and public space initiatives? Is there anything you would do differently?
The city has made strides in funding public space, but it’s still too dependent on developer contributions rather than dedicated public investment. We need more predictable, long-term funding for placemaking, including better maintenance, community-led programming, and support for neighborhood-scale initiatives. Public space should not just be about infrastructure—it should be activated with events, performances, and engagement that makes our city feel alive. A park is not just trees and benches—it’s what happens there that matters.
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