Question 3

Question 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?

Leonard VANDERSTAR (202) – Most definitely! Forest canopy cover is an essential part of temperature modification, along with carbon sequestration and storage, hydrological integrity and wildfire prevention. We will establish the Green Canopy Office of which I will be directly involved with given my professional background in forest ecology. The Green Canopy Office will be a panel of experts that will assist the Park Board in directing City staff in forest/tree management within Vancouver’s parks.

Sacia BURTON (215) – It is crucial that the incoming local government takes climate mitigation seriously. In the community centers, rinks, pools, and fieldhouses that Park Board jointly operates, there are both opportunities and responsibilities to ensure heating and cooling is done without fossil fuels; that low-carbon options are prioritized for repairs and construction projects; and that alternative energy production projects (such as the solar panels on Creekside Community Center’s roof) are explored and expedited.

Spaces managed by Park Board, particularly parks and community centers, are often the last bastion of refuge during unsafe conditions. To ensure public safety and well-being, community centers should be adequately equipped to act as cooling and warming centers, have staff on hand to connect people to additional community resources, and offer extended hours during times when it is unsafe to be outdoors for prolonged periods.

The city has begun to invest in flood mitigation projects, including the St. George Rainway and in several parks (such as Slocan, Falaise, and Beaconsfield). It is crucial that progress towards better rainwater infrastructure continues in the years to come, including exploring ways to retain groundwater for expanding and retaining a healthy urban tree canopy.

Finally, it is high time for Park Board to implement “too hot to work” protections, particularly for employees and contractors who primarily work outdoors. While steps can and should be taken to offer reprieve in conditions where altered duties may be possible, it is also worth exploring the availability of paid climate leave for outdoor workers and contractors to protect their wellbeing and job security.

Tom DIGBY (222) – Yes. The city needs more trees for health and climate resilience. The Greens support enhanced planting, pruning and stump removal across the city.

Recreation facilities and libraries need to install high quality air filtration and control for our fire stoked summers, to give residents a place of refuge. This is a very expensive undertaking and will take years to implement.

Michael Robert CADITZ (226) – We must protect the green canopy. We will establish the Green Canopy Office, a panel of experts from which City staff will be required to receive permission before removing trees.

Niknaz ALEMI (231) – Absolutely. My academic and professional background is in climate change, and I have had the opportunity to work in different countries and communities on climate adaptation and resilience. So this is something I take very seriously. I strongly believe in evidence based, science backed solutions to urban challenges, and parks are actually one of the most important tools we have for climate adaptation.

In Vancouver, that means protecting and expanding our urban tree canopy, especially in neighbourhoods experiencing more extreme heat, using rain gardens and other green infrastructure to help manage heavy rainfall, planting more climate resilient vegetation, protecting biodiversity and natural ecosystems, and making sure community and recreation facilities can provide safe spaces during extreme heat or wildfire smoke.

The good thing is that we don’t need to start from scratch. Vancouver has already done a lot of this research through its Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, Rain City Strategy and Urban Forest Strategy, and VanPlay specifically calls for our parks and recreation system to adapt to a changing climate. I would like to see us use that research and bring these plans together, treating our parks as essential climate infrastructure that protects both people and nature.