Question 9

Question 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?

Stephen MENON (200) – Yes. Parks and community centres are among the last places where people who disagree about everything still share a bench, a pool lane or a soccer field.

What I would do:

Keep drop in easy and affordable. Address outdated COVID restrictions to ensure more pool time is available through properly funding the required lifeguards and other staffing. Make recreation more affordable for families and youth through our proposed free transit path for youth (13-18 years old)

Build the basics people need to stay. Public washrooms, seating, shade and water fountains decide whether someone can spend an afternoon in a park.

Fund community centres as social infrastructure, not just buildings. Renewal is overdue, and they are Vancouver’s shared living rooms. We need to not overpromise and under deliver with the current capital campaign and prioritize the centers identified by the community center strategy There are 11 community centers that need renewal, we support the Community center’s association of the order in which these centers should be renewed.

On polarization in politics itself: seven commissioners govern the Park Board. My party is running two candidates, so anything I achieve will come from working across party lines. I am comfortable with that and how parks should be run.

Leonard VANDERSTAR (202) – Ensuring affordable access to all will assist in addressing this issue, along with supporting multi-cultural events. This is what makes Vancouver a special city and we need to do more to ensure the continuance of cultural interactions; our parks and associated facilities are excellent locations for such activities/events.

Tamiko SUZUKI (206) – Yes. Social isolation is a very real problem in our society. We can help combat it by taking a break from our screens, meeting people from all walks of life, spending time in nature, and creating places where everyone can feel a sense of community and belonging. Our community centres, parks, pools, and sports fields—all managed by the Park Board—provide these opportunities. They bring people together across generations and cultures, helping us build stronger, healthier, and more connected communities.

To make these spaces truly accessible, we need to keep admission fees affordable, registration simple, and parking fees to a minimum. We need programs and special events that welcome people of different ages, abilities, languages, and cultural backgrounds. We also need to properly maintain and staff our facilities so they can stay open longer, and renovate or replace aging infrastructure, particularly in neighbourhoods that have historically been neglected.

Our parks must be welcoming and comfortable for everyone, with plenty of shade trees, benches to rest on, and clean, well-maintained washrooms that are accessible whenever people need them. Public spaces should do more than provide recreation. They should help us connect with one another, feel that we belong, and build a stronger
sense of community.

Summit AMBEAULT-WANNAMAKER (210) – Yes, I believe that as elected officials we have a duty to uphold the core tenants of political cooperation and convergence. The Park Board works across the city, and thus requires working across political lines

As a Vancouver Park Board Commissioner, I intend to be as transparent as possible, pushing out weekly communications on the processes occurring at the board, while doing so in an accessible manner.

Furthermore, we must uphold accessibility. We need to ensure that community spaces can be used by all members of the community, regardless of cost, location, and regulations.

Shayla BIRD (211) – Yes. I believe belonging is one of the most important things parks and recreation can create.

As an educator, I have seen how sport, recreation and community programming can bring together people who otherwise might never meet. Parks, playgrounds, pools, community centres and playing fields are some of the few places in our city where people of different ages, incomes, cultures and backgrounds can share space without needing to buy something.

Becoming a mother this year has made me appreciate this in a new way as well. Community spaces matter at every stage of life—from the playground where children first meet one another, to youth sports, to programs for parents, adults and seniors.

I want to see more affordable and accessible recreation, youth leadership and mentorship opportunities, community events, festivals and culturally relevant programming.

The Park Board cannot solve social isolation or polarization on its own, but it can create more opportunities for Vancouverites to see each other, know each other and belong to the same community.

Cam ROTHERY (213) – We must make public spaces accessible for all income groups, otherwise those unable to afford ever-increasing user fees will be marginalized and priced out of what are supposed to be public facilities and resources.

For example, the cost of parking at many Vancouver’s Parks has gone completely out of control and prices out many individuals and families. Therefore, we will take actions like rescinding the recent parking fee increase at Spanish Banks and returning the cost to a much more sensible $1/hour.

Tyler PETERSEN (214) – Park Board governs buildings that serve as ‘third spaces,’ places to gather that are not home or work. These free and low cost spaces allow for folks to come, connect, and build community.

We also need to be creating safe spaces for communities that are under threat in these increasingly polarized times – something the Park Board has been doing a good job on in terms of providing safe spaces for trans and gender diverse swimmers, for example. The Park Board should listen to communities who are feeling unsafe, and work to provide resources and space to allow for the safe use of our spaces.

Sacia BURTON (215) – Vancouver’s community centers and public spaces are prime spaces to combat social isolation at every age. Whether someone is using a gym with neighbours, attending a workshop, or sharing a community meal, every interaction builds trust and a sense of safety within the community. These neutral moments of connection offer a reminder that we have much more in common with our neighbours than we may sometimes think.

The best thing Park Board can do to tackle social isolation is to ensure that all facilities are reliably open and in appropriate operating conditions for years to come. With renewal and restoration projects on the horizon, it is worth taking the time to connect community center users with services at other facilities.

Breanne SMART (216) – Yes, parks and community centres are some of the last spaces that exist where individuals can meet each other for free. There are a few ways the Park Board can support connection.

Design of our spaces. Large open atriums, public seating, and viewing decks encourage people to “collide” with one another, creating small talk, relationships, and excitement
Programmers, youth leaders, and volunteer coordinators are often the most well connected people in a community. Relying on their expertise and recommendation for fostering connection is a vital requirement of a Park Board
Food is a fantastic way to bond people together. Trout Lake has a community harvest dinner in October, Burrard View Park has a food forest that grows year round, Kits Community Centre holds cooking classes for families.

These are all examples or small events and programs that can bring a lot of individuals to a table to create connection. As a commissioner, I would encourage funding of these initiatives in our spaces.

John IRWIN (217) – I think we need to make sure that all of the Park Board facilities and parks are welcoming and accessible to all cultural, age, ability and sexual identity groups in the City. The Park Board should continue to advocate for senior level government funding for seniors’ centres as they can reduce social isolation for seniors, who are often facing challenges with this. Continuing to strengthen drop in programs for children ensures that folks recreate with a broad range of cultural groups from a young age.

Amanda BAINS (221) – Yes. Parks and community centres are among the few places where people from different backgrounds, income levels and generations can meet without being expected to spend money.

We should provide more affordable and free programming, including youth recreation, seniors’ activities, arts and cultural events, community meals, walking groups and accessible sports. Community centres should have welcoming common spaces where people can gather informally, not only rooms that require a paid booking.

The Vancouver Liberals believe investments in parks and community spaces contribute to a safer city. Well-used, properly maintained public spaces encourage connection, strengthen trust between neighbours and reduce isolation.

The Park Board cannot solve polarization on its own, but it can ensure that Vancouver continues to have inclusive places where people encounter one another as neighbours rather than strangers.

Tom DIGBY (222) – Parks and rec centres are vital for community connections. A good example of investment is the new senior’s centre we opened at Sunset Community Centre. The facility is now continually activated and a wonderful venue to challenge the epidemic of loneliness impact our community.

Michael Robert CADITZ (226) – We must make public spaces accessible for all income groups, otherwise those unable to afford ever-increasing user fess will be marginalized. We will rescind the recent parking fee increase at Spanish Banks, return to $1/hour.

Farmers markets are excellent venue for connection and community. We will simplify the permit process, and we will eliminate parking fees at farmers markets on Park Board jurisdictions, including Riley Park. Local farmers and public health will benefit by making farmers markets more accessible and affordable to all citizens.

Tricia BARKER (229) – This is a huge issue with seniors and can often lead to devastating health issues. I believe we should be doing more, and it might be time for the Park Board to officially deal with this and other issues that impact seniors. But time is running out for many seniors. We can’t have a report that will take two years to put together. We must act fast. Anything else is disgraceful. They don’t have time for stall tactics.

Dominic DENOFRIO (230) – We need to ensure that the parks and community centres managed by the Park Board are accessible, open spaces for all Vancouverites, regardless of age, ability, background, or orientation. These public spaces can create the opportunities for people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to come together to build stronger communities, and the Park Board should be working to encourage this.

Niknaz ALEMI (231) – Yes. Parks and community centres are some of the few places where people from different ages, cultures and backgrounds can simply share space without having to spend money. I would support more community led events, accessible programming and welcoming gathering spaces that give people opportunities to meet, participate and feel part of their neighbourhood. I don’t think the Park Board can solve polarization or social isolation, but it can help create the conditions for stronger, more connected communities.

Wah GEE (233) – Yes. Parks and recreation can help people meet their neighbours and feel part of a community.

As a teacher, sports fan and music lover, I value activities that bring people together. I would support affordable drop-in sports, walking groups, community music and activities where younger and older people can connect.

People should feel welcome even if they come alone or have never tried an activity before. Friendly staff, simple registration and affordable fees all help.

The Park Board cannot solve every cause of loneliness or division, but it can give people more opportunities to spend time together and build relationships.