Question 9. If you could make changes to one park in the city – which park is it, and what would you do?
Gwen GIESBRECHT – #201 – (COPE): “As an elected I don’t feel my personal opinion is what is important. There are too many moving pieces in any change that all must be considered. What are the needs of the community? What are the environmental and ecological considerations? How does this fit into the goals of equity? What is the input from Indigenous partners? All of this and more is what I use to inform my decisions on changes proposed.”
Tom DIGBY – #203 – (Green): “I would revert the name of Sunset Beach (Barge Chilling Beach) to the original Squamish name which I understand to be Y-ilyshen (trans: “muddy foreshore”).”
Carla FRENKEL – #204 – (Vision Vancouver): “I would advocate for Northeast False Creek Park to come to fruition. I think it’s crucial to address our relationship with water, bolstering habitat, flood response, and provide access for water recreation sports – like paddling and swimming. I think a park of this scale and location is a defining feature for Vancouver. We need to holistically work with the Indigneous staff, liaisons and knowledge keepers to have the park grounded in a decolonized framework.”
Andrea PINOCHET-ESCUDERO – #206 – (Vote Socialist): “So many parks need to be redesigned and updated, I am not sure I could just pick one. Many parks in the south part of Vancouver are long overdue for upgrades and it is unfortunate that all the attention around Park Board in recent years has been focused on Stanley Park.”
ROLLERGIRL – #211 – (Independent): No response provided.
John IRWIN – #212 – (Vision Vancouver): “I would work hard to ensure that cyclists and other active transport users are able to go to and through the proposed Northeast False Creek Park. I would collaborate with all of the many groups that intersect at this location (MST, Hogan’s Alley, the Chinese Community) to have their long history and vibrant cultures reflected in the park. I would ensure that First Nations continue to be fully collaborated with on the design and naming of the park. This key park lies at the intersection between east and west and many cultural groups, it should reflect this in an inclusive, participatory planning process.”
Tricia RILEY – #215 – (Green): “I don’t think I can pick one park, but one change I’d like to see is more individual and group fitness options in parks. I’ve seen really great outdoor gym equipment and fitness trails in other cities (in particular, I love the Terri Fox Fitness Trail in Winnipeg) and I’d like to see more of that incorporated in our city . By doing this, we can remove barriers to accessing fitness (no need for expensive gym memberships!) and encourage more people of all ages to get active outdoors.”
Liam Murphy MENARD – #218 – (Independent): “If I could make changes to one park in the city, it would be Stanley Park. I would add an electric trolley during peak hours to reduce traffic gridlock inside the park and ensure that Stanley Park remains accessible for all Vancouverites. I am eager to see the final results of the Stanley Park Mobility Study, but at this time believe that adding an electric trolley – in addition to the bike lane expansion that has already been undertaken – would help to create an equitable increase in accessibility both for those that live within biking distance of the park and those that have to drive in to enjoy its natural beauty. Introducing a trolley service would allow folks to spend less time loitering in their cars trying to enter the park – by giving them the ability to park outside of the park and then trolley into the park – in turn, reducing the number of cars in the park and reducing the overall gridlock.”
Olga ZARUDINA – #220 – (NPA): “I would place an outdoor pool in any park, where it would be feasible to do, in Vancouver East.”
Kumi KIMURA – #221 – (TEAM): “I would put a playground at Musqueam Park.”
Michelle MOLLINEAUX – #223 – (TEAM): “As of today, October 8, there were more stabbings at Crab Park. We urgently need to address the desperate situation in that park. People who live in the park need to be properly taken care of and address each one’s unique needs and help them to be on the road to recovery and rehabilitation. All parks should be safe and accessible for everyone. Right now, many parks are not safe for people and especially for those who have children. What is happening in Crab Park is inhumane and cruel to the people who live there and to the people who live in the area and want to use the park.”
James BUCKSHON – #225 – (TEAM): “If I were to make a change to one park, it would be Yaletown Park. It is important to have a beautiful natural space in the crowded downtown area, and this park has a concrete and brick ground with little to no vegetation, including grass, plants or trees.”
Caitlin STOCKWELL – #209; Serena Jackson – #213; Tiyaltelut Kristen Rivers – #226 (OneCity – Joint Submission): “There are parks all over the city that could use some extra love, but for this question we’ll focus on South East Vancouver and Everett Crowley Park. At 40 acres, Everett Crowley is Vancouver’s 5th largest park, and it contains forest, wetlands, trails, and beautiful views. Pretty impressive for a piece of land that used to be a garbage dump! Unfortunately, the park has major problems with invasive species that encroach on trails, threaten trees and other healthy plants, and can make fields and meadows difficult to use for picnicking and other activities due to overgrowth. Community groups have made significant efforts to rehabilitate the park, in partnership with the Park Board. This work is important and ongoing, but could be scaled up significantly to protect the park and to provide good green jobs. Everett Crowley would also be improved by additional amenities such as benches, a picnic area, public bathrooms, water fountains, and bike racks. Lastly, access to the park for residents of the growing River District nearby needs improvement as it currently means crossing a very busy road – Marine Drive – and then hiking up a steep hill to the closest entrance at 63rd.”
Tracy D. SMITH – #230 – (Independent): “Eburne Park in Marpole requires more facilities, shade, benches, washrooms, trees, etc. This area of the city lacks greenspace and is very densely populated.”
Craig STEVEN – #231 – (Independent): “CRAB Park right now, I will allow law enforcement to enforce the various laws being broken there. Encampments make parks dangerous and unusable.”