Advocacy, education and outreach in support of Vancouver's public spaces

Our Work: 2026 Park Board Candidate Survey: Question 2

Question 2. In your opinion, how well is the delivery of parks and public spaces aligned with the type of growth and change taking place in Vancouver’s neighbourhoods?

Leonard VANDERSTAR (202) – Park and green space addition must be proportional to growth expansion on an area basis. On an immediate basis, our party will work to rescind authorization for the BC Hydro substation at Nelson Park and formally request that the British Columbia Utilities Commission deny the permit. We will also conduct a full review of the Burrard View Park food forest and fire pit with consideration for local neighbourhood needs.

Sacia BURTON (215) – As our city continues to densify, with families living in smaller homes, more people are coming to rely on Vancouver’s parks as our communal backyards and our community centers as shared living spaces. Unfortunately, consecutive local governments have let real estate developers off the hook for the contributions they are meant to pay into maintaining our parks and public spaces, thus leaving our parks and especially our community centers in critical need of repair. Moving forward, both the Park Board and City Council must be stronger negotiators on behalf of all public space users.

Tom DIGBY (222) – There is a well known map of areas of the city that are underserved by parks and recreation. It corresponds to historically low income neighbourhoods. The park board always prioritizes these neighborhoods for upgrades, while maintaining a fair balance across the city. Renewals of General Brock park and Slocan Park, and the new park at Main/E7th are examples of this in practice.

Michael Robert CADITZ (226) – There must be no attrition of parks and green spaces in the name of “growth.” We will rescind authorization for the BC Hydro substation at Nelson Park and formally request that the British Columbia Utilities Commission deny the permit. We will conduct a full review of the Burrard View Park food forest and fire pit with consideration for local neighbourhood needs.

Niknaz ALEMI (231) – I don’t think we’re keeping up as well as we should. Vancouver is growing and changing quickly, and as we add more housing and density, access to parks, green space and recreation needs to grow with it. The good thing is that we already have tools like VanPlay that look at population growth, park access, tree canopy, recreation needs and equity across neighbourhoods. I think we should actually use that work to guide where investment goes, rather than constantly starting from scratch. For me, parks and public spaces are essential infrastructure. They should be part of how we plan for growth from the beginning, not something we try to catch up on later.

 

Complete List of Questions

1. It’s day one on the job… and to start your work with the Park Board, you are invited to make one change in one park – which park do you pick, and what do you do?

2. In your opinion, how well is the delivery of parks and public spaces aligned with the type of growth and change taking place in Vancouver’s neighbourhoods?

3. Heavier rains, more intense heat, and wildfire smoke are all being described as part of a “new normal” tied to climate change. Should Vancouver’s parks and recreation facilities play a part in supporting climate resilience or climate adaptation? If yes, how?

4. The Park Board (and City) is under increasing pressure to find new ways to finance park upgrades, deliver new parks, and cover other capital and operational costs. How do you propose financing your priorities in the context of the broader City budgeting process?

5. Vancouver is a city with a very diverse population with lots of different cultures calling this place home. Should the Park Board be doing more to respond to the needs of different cultural user groups? If yes, what sorts of changes to Park Board processes or practices would you envision?

6. We have to ask: are you planning – secretly, overtly, or otherwise – to abolish or reform the Park Board? If yes, what are you intending to do? In general, what’s your vision for Park Board governance?

7. In recent years, the Park Board has taken steps towards reconciliation, decolonization, and co-management with MST First Nations. Would you continue this work? If yes, how?

8. What, if anything, do you think the Park Board should do to support/facilitate community activation and stewardship of park spaces and facilities?

9. We are living in a period of both increasing polarization and increasing social isolation. Should the Parks Board be doing more to respond to these issues? If yes, what do you propose?

10. Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your platform?

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