Halloween SkyTrain Party – Friday, October 26, 8pm, Waterfront Station

Get set for the very best transit ride you will have all year! Our Halloween SkyTrain party returns for its 12th season! Time to get creative with your scariest, sassiest, or all-around wackiest costume and ride the rails to the outer reaches of Vancouver – and your mind!

The event aims to allow transit fans to have some Halloween-themed fun, while also celebrating public transit with some placemaking magic. We’ll be transforming the everyday Skytrain experience into a crazy-train of costumes, candy, dancing and decorations.

Helping us with this process is DJ Solreia, who will be making her Halloween SkyTrain debut as we dance our way to Richmond and back again.

This year’s Halloween SkyTrain will depart from Waterfront Station on the Canada Line. We will be boarding a train to YVR-Brighouse shortly past 8pm. The event is free, save for the cost of your transit ticket – but consider arriving early to ensure that you get on the train. Please wait for the “All-Aboard” signal!

As always, the Halloween Party works best when a few common-sense rules are kept in mind – so check out all the event information in our earlier post or Facebook event listing. You can also check out these photos from the 2017 event to see what it’s like. See you this Friday!

After-Party Action – Rock off the Rails – 9:45pm at Granville Square

Immediately after the Halloween SkyTrain returns to Waterfront Station, we invite you to join our friends at Party4Health as they unleash the official mobile after-party. Starting at Granville Square (200 Granville Street), this event will be taking things off the rails and through the streets of downtown. Look for energy-building, heart-pumping party activities including the Thriller Dance Flashmob, Long Soul Train, Spooky Mega Drop, and a Dark n’ Scary High-5 Tunnel – and lots of dancing! It’s a mobile event, so aim to be at the starting location at 9:45pm. For more information, check out their Facebook event listing.

Other Halloween Scariness

Now through October 31 – Ghost Train in Stanley Park

Each year the Stanley Park Ghost Train takes riders on a journey through a mystical and magical world, inspired by Halloween and other spooky tales. This family event is open to all ages and offers a glimpse of the goblins and ghoulish characters inhabiting the stories, legends and folklore of Halloween and Harvest celebrations. Features the Haunted Maze, crafts and movies, exhibits, and a pumpkin patch.

:: Ticket & more info – Ghost Train webpage

Now through October 31 – VanDusen Glow in the Garden

Head to VanDusen for their Glow in the Garden event – an adventure through a whimsical garden with curious twists and magical moments from the classic tale Hänsel and Gretel. Follow the bread crumbs on a wondrous walk with zany lights and sounds, and illuminated pumpkin caricatures. Visitors of all ages will enjoy tasty treats, crafts, and much more.

:: Tickets & more info – VanDusen webpage

Friday, October 26 – Ferris Wheel at Robson

This one isn’t specifically Halloween themed – but given our love of Robson Square, we wanted to share this. Between 12-7pm this Friday, you’ll be able to ride a Ferris wheel in the heart of the city! This one-day event is part of Variety Week. Entrance to the Ferris Wheel is by donation, with all proceeds going to support kids with special needs.

:: More info – Variety Week webpage

Saturday, October 27 – Parade of Lost Souls

East Vancouver’s epic Parade of Lost Souls invites you to indulge in this year’s theme of Magic and Realism! Come prepared to feast your eyes and ears on live bands, art installations, clowns galore, delicious food trucks, and much much more from the minds and hearts of our beloved city’s artists! Processions start at Britannia Library (Commercial Drive and Napier Street) (at 7, 8, 9pm), but the final parade route is kept a closely guarded secret – revealed only at midnight the night before. Keep checking into our website and social media feeds for updates and other exciting surprises along the way!

:: More info – Parade of Lost Souls webpage

Saturday, October 27 – Thursday, November 1– Night for All Souls – Mountainview Cemetery

In many cultures around the world, the days at the end of October and beginning of November are considered an important time for honouring the dead in our lives. In our modern, urban, and relatively transient culture, traditional “village” customs have been left behind, though not the human impulses that led to these traditions. All Souls at the Mountain View Cemetery is a non-denominational sacred event, and an opportunity for people to share their own customs and experiences.

:: More Info – Night for All Souls webpage

Wednesday, October 31 – Mt. Pleasant Neighbourhood House – Haunted Parklet

The new parklet at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House is a front porch for the whole East Van neighbourhood! This year it will be happily-haunted by treat-giving friends and neighbours. Trick-or-treat your way over and say hello, and check out Vancouver’s newest parklet!

:: More info – Facebook Event Page

Friday, November 2 – Nelson Park Pumpkin Parade

Give your jack-o-lantern one more chance to shine! Bring your pumpkin creation to Nelson Park for the first ever Vancouver Pumpkin Parade. This is a free community event. Rain or shine.

:: More info – Facebook Event Page

Like previous years, the 12th Annual SkyTrain Party will see us travel to the outer reaches of the SkyTrain network – and your mind – with a thumping sound-system, decorations, and several hundred of your transit-loving friends.

Date and Location:

Waterfront Station to Richmond Brighouse (and back)
Friday, October 26
8:00pm – 9:30pm (approx) 

Making it Work:

Unlike previous years, when we’ve been able to set up up in advance, we will all be boarding the train at the same time. We’ll need your help to make sure set up happens efficiently. Please be sure to make some space for the DJ and allow us to get equipment set up. We’ll aim to do this as quickly as we can.

We will wind the party down a few stops before Waterfront so people can get themselves ready for a smooth departure.

IMPORTANT – Things to think about:

The Halloween SkyTrain Party has been going strong since 2006 – largely because people attending have been mindful of a few key considerations:

(1) Play Fare. We want to celebrate transit, so make sure you bring your Compass Card U-pass or buy a ticket.

(2) Have fun, but be cool. No racing between trains at stops (this is a safety issue for Translink), so please respect that. Also, please DO NOT hold the doors.

(3) Smoking on the train – just don’t. It’s unfortunate that we actually have to say this, but no smokes, joints, vaping, whatever.

(4) Be a good host. The train will stop at every station along our route, picking up people along the way. These are your Halloween party guests! Invite them in to join in the fun.

(5) Share the gratitude. If you see one of the Canada Line staff crew, or TransLink officer, please give ‘em a high five. These fine folks do a lot to make sure that this event – and transit in general –
runs smoothly. We’re grateful for that.

(6) Help maintain the vibe. Let’s all look out for one another and keep a good thing going. If you see some who needs a hand with something, help ‘em out. And if you see someone horsing around in a way that runs contrary to the above – please ask ‘em to chill out, for everyone’s sake.

(7) Clear out any recycling and trash. We want to leave the SkyTrain looking better than we found it. Pack out what you pack in. Better still, pick up a piece of litter that isn’t yours and earn instant karma.

(8) Spread the word. Share the love. We’d love to see any cool photos or video that you might take. Please consider sending it our way at info@vancouverpublicspace.ca. If you post to Facebook, Twitter and Instragram please tag us, or hashtag #HalloweenSkyTrain18

About the DJ:

Making her SkyTrain debut this year is rising star Solreia! Our talented DJ promises to deliver some Halloween SkyTrain-friendly EDM and other Halloween themed musical fun.

You may have seen Solreia spinning tracks at recent Public Disco activities around town; at this summer’s Monstercat Compound event; or in her live electronic performance project work with VSUVIUS at the Robson Square VanBubble. In addition to her many talents as a DJ, Solreia is also a music producer and singer song-writer, painting melodies with all the colours of the sound spectrum, and. Her first EP is set to drop in Spring 2019.

After Party Action – Rock off the Rails – 9:45pm @ Granville Square

Immediately after the Halloween SkyTrain returns to Waterfront Station, we invite you to join our friends at Party4Health as they unleash the official mobile after-party. Starting at Granville Square (200 Granville Street), this event will be taking things off the rails and through the streets of downtown. Look for energy-building, heart-pumping party activities including the Thriller Dance Flashmob, Long Soul Train, Spooky Mega Drop, and a Dark n’ Scary High-5 Tunnel – and lots of dancing! It’s a mobile event, so aim to be at the starting location at 9:45pm.

:: After-party Event Page

Dress up in your wildest Halloween attire (scary, sassy, sexy, serious… or just plain strange, your call!), meet us at the starting station, and join us as we ride the crazy train! Tricks and treats come served with a sweet sound system and the musical madness of our resident DJ Rocky Fi$her.

The event, as always, will be free, save for the price of your SkyTrain ticket.

STARTING LOCATION:

MAKING IT WORK:

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

The Halloween SkyTrain Party has been going stong since 2006 – largely because people attending have been mindful of a few key consideratons:

(1) Play Fare. We want to celebrate transit, so make sure you bring your Compass Card U-pass or buy a ticket.

(2) Have fun, but be chill. Translink has noted concerns about people racing between trains at stops. This is a safety issue, so please try to respect that. Also, please DO NOT hold the doors.

(3) Smoking on the train – just don’t. It’s unfortunate that we actually have to say this, but every couple of years there’s someone who things they’re an exception to the rules. Seriously, don’t be that person. No smokes, joints, vaping, whatever. That’s for before you enter the station, or after you leave.

(4) Be a good host. The train will stop at every station along our route, picking up people along the way. These are your halloween party guests! Invite them in to join in the fun.

(5) Share the gratitude. If you see one of the Canada Line staff crew, or TransLink officer, please give ‘em a high five. These fine folks do a lot to make sure that this event – and transit in general –
runs smoothly. We’re grateful for that.

(6) Help maintain the vibe. Let’s all look out for one another and keep a good thing going. If you see some who needs a hand with something, help ‘em out. And if you see someone horsing around in a way that runs contrary to the above – please ask ‘em to chill out, for everyone’s sake.

(7) Clear out any recycling and trash. We want to leave the SkyTrain looking better than we found it. Pack out what you pack in. Better still, pick up a piece of litter that isn’t yours and earn instant karma.

(8) Spread the word. Share the love. We’d love to see any cool photos or video that you might take. Please consider sending it our way at info@vancouverpublicspace.ca. If you post to Facebook, Twitter and Instragram please tag us, or hashtag #SkyTrainParty

Social Media: Facebook Event Page

After taking a break last year, we’re back with our longest-running public space event. Hard to believe, but we’ve now been throwing these for over a decade! Talk about intergenerational placemaking!

Specific details on the 2017 SkyTrain party are still being finalized, but the general idea is the same as before: you dress up in your wildest Halloween attire (scary, sassy, sexy, serious… or just plain strange, your call!), meet us at the starting station, and together we ride the crazy train! Tricks and treats come served with a sweet sound system and the musical madness of our resident DJ Rocky Fi$her.

The event, as always, will be free, save for the price of your SkyTrain ticket.

We’ll be posting updates via the VPSN Facebook Group and Page, and this website, so please stay tuned for more details!

Photo credit: 2015 SkyTrain Party by Flickr user GoToVan

Since 2006, we’ve held a transit party every year – and in some years, we actually held multiple transit-celebrating events. They’ve all been a fantastic success… and we’ve been hugely gratified by just how much people loved the festivities.

We have also been incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with the good folks running our transit system to make this happen. Over the years, we’ve been able to develop a very good working relationship that’s helped the event to grow from its more ‘guerrilla event’ roots into something collaborative and amazing.

An evening of saints and sinners – 2009 SkyTrain party

However, we realized after 2015’s event, that we’d passed a bit of a milestone. 10 consecutive years at anything is a pretty good run, but it’s also a reasonable time to take stock of things, and maybe look for ways to refresh – and even improve – the event. And so… we are going to take a break for 2016 to do just that.

We want to use this time to explore the best sorts of ways for an all-volunteer group like ours to throw an event that animates public space on Halloween. This could be a different take on the transit party, or it could be something all-together different – like our VPSN 10th Anniversary party in September. We welcome your thoughts on this.

There are some opportunities that come with an event like this which we also want to look at.

Last year, for example, we estimated that just as many people were left behind at Waterfront station as were actually able to make it on the party train. So we want to take a look at this capacity issue – so that we can better meet the demand for this type of all-ages, no-cost event.

Waterfront Station – 2015

There are other things to look at as well, including the technical challenges that come with events like this (our beloved battery-powered system, and the challenges of getting sound all the way down the train), as ways to make this event more sustainable (in every sense of the word) as we look to the future.

So… thank you everyone for your support over the past decade. It’s been awesome to ride the spooky, crazy, Halloween train with you, and we look forward to more fun times together at future events. Thanks for your understanding as we take this year to plan something new and exciting for the future.

2011 SkyTrain Party – Photo by Lydia Yan

Looking for something to do on Halloween?

There are a number of cool events that connect All Hallows Eve with public space. Here’s some of our favourites:

Parade of Lost Souls, Saturday, October 29 - Returning, as in tradition on the last Saturday in October, the Parade of Lost Souls is a parade of spectacle and performance, an inclusive celebration for the thousands of lost souls that join us every year to meander along its route. As it has for decades, the final parade route is kept a closely guarded secret – revealed only at midnight the night before. | Details

Decentralized Dance Party, Saturday, October 29 – Billed as “the world’s funnest spontaneous street party.” The DDP is a portable, battery-powered Party System invented by Tom and Gary – two gentlemen from The Future. It consists of hundreds of Party people, carrying boomboxes, and a DJ who wears a backpack, containing an FM radio transmitter. All the boomboxes are tuned into the DJ’s master FM broadcast, resulting in a mobile, synchronized sound system. This Open-Source dance Party roams the night, generating complete awesomeness, street by street and block by block, onto buses and subways, into public fountains and beyond. | Details

Stanley Park Ghost Train, through October 31 - Each year the Stanley Park Ghost Train takes our riders on a journey through a mystical and magical world, inspired by Hallowe’en and other spooky tales. This family event is open to all age and offers a fright free glimpse of the whimsical world of ghosts and ghouls. Plaza activities include the Haunted Maze, arts and crafts, exhibits by the Stanley Park Ecological Society, and our pumpkin match. | Details

VanDusen Gardens – Glow in the Dark, Through October 31 – Experience an unforgettable Halloween walk in the woods at VanDusen Botanical Garden. The Garden comes to life with spellbinding lights, ghoulish music, and glowing pumpkin characters created by award-winning carvers, Clive Cooper and Bruce Waugh. After the walk, costumed kids will enjoy creating fun Halloween crafts inside. Parents can pick up a pumpkin and hot apple cider at the Taves Family Farms pop-up shop on the plaza. | Details

Pumpkin Photo – Credit Lydia Yan

Gather your public space, public transit loving friends, costume up in your wildest, sassiest, most-creative attire, and join us for a ghoulish ride on the crazy train!

In-flight entertainment courtesy will be provided by our resident DJ Rocky Fisher (bio below). Get set for epic EDM awesomeness as we travel south and across the border into deepest, darkest Richmond before returning to Waterfront Station.

And when the train rolls back back downtown to Terminus, we are offering members our very own version of Star-Alliance treatment with after-party magic. Follow us round the corner, across the street, and to the soon-to-be dismantled Seymour & Hastings Dome, where the DJ action will carry on.

The important stuff you need to know [UPDATED – PLEASE READ]:

• Meet on the Canada Line train platform at Waterfront Station. We will be leaving shortly after 8:00pm, so don’t be late.
  
• ProTrans (the company that runs the Canada Line) has told us that they will be getting people to queue up – like they did last year. They have also told us that they are unable to allow a long on-boading time (unlike previous years). What this means: Getting everyone on board at Waterfront is going to be a challenge, so don’t wait until 8pm to show up. If you want to get on the train, make sure you show up early, or better still…
• Pro-tip: If you are worried about the queue situation at Waterfront, consider joining us at City Centre, Yaletown, or one of the other stations on route. There will not be queues at these stations. If you use twitter, please follow us @vpsn – as we will be tweeting upcoming route stops
• Because we have very limited set-up time, we need your help: as you board the train, please make some space for our volunteer crew and DJ as they set-up. That way, we can get the party started without delay.
• Your price of admission? A $2.75 transit ticket, or your U-pass. ( Kids, high school students and 65+ = $1.75). This event is all about celebrating transit, so please remember to buy a transit ticket. | Fare details -www.translink.ca
• TransLink has asked us to pass this along: racing between trains at stops can be a real safety issue, so please try to respect that. (Actually, in general, be cool, ’cause we DO want to make sure we’re able to keep throwing these parties well into the future!)
• The train will stop at every station between Waterfront and Richmond Brighouse (and back), and picking up people along the way. These are your halloween party guests! Invite them in to join in the fun.
• If you see one of the Canada Line staff crew, or TransLink officer, please give ‘em a high five. These fine folks do a lot to make sure that this event runs smoothly. We’re grateful for that.

The After-Party

Once we return to Waterfront Station, we will doing a quick-shift of venues and moving the party one-block south to Seymour and Hastings. Join us! This public space is soon to be be demolished (sad!), and we want your help to liven it up one more time. Yay, weird dome space! We heart you (even if not many other people do).

Finally, please check this page leading up to the event in case there are updates to pass along!

About the DJ – Rocky Fi$her

For four years running, VPSN’s resident SkyTrain DJ Rocky Fi$her has been tearing up the transit party decks with the wildest mix old school flavour and new school groove. Rocky’s mixology is guaranteed to keep you jumping as she fuses together dnb, experimental trap, garage/jackin, bass, deep dubstep, glitch and more. Get ready for fresh sounds and danceable favourites on the 2015 SkyTrain event.

While not helping us with our transit party mayhem, Rocky Fi$her keeps the party going around town and at festivals across BC. She’s also resident DJ at the Ignite Bassment parties.

September is upon us, and that means a new round of exciting late-summer and fall public space activities. We’ll be reporting out on many of these in our next full-length Public Space Newsletter; however we wanted to let you know about a few upcoming events – including Park(ing) Day and the inaugural Vancouver Design Week  and Doors Open Vancouver.

More specifically: we’re looking for help with each of these, so if you have some extra times and are looking to lend a hand with one or more cool projects – please get in touch!

 – The VPSN team

Friday, September 19 – Park(ing) Day 2014 
Park(ing) Day is an annual celebration that takes place around the globe. It invites participants to creatively re-imagine metered parking spaces as… parks, mini gathering places, theatres, dance floors, landscape installations, art stations, you name it! It’s a challenge that’s been producing some excellent results since it was first started (in good ‘ol San Fran) back in 2005.

2014 will mark the 7th year that the VPSN has held a Park(ing) Day event in Vancouver, and this year, as always, we’re looking for volunteer assistance to make it a success.

We’ll be holding our next planning meeting tonight (Thursday), at Bean Around the World, Cambie and Hastings at 6pm. If you’re free later on, stop by and join in the discussion. There’s lots to be done.

For more information contact Aateka Shashank at aateka [at] vancouverpublicspace [dot] ca.

September 15 through 28 – Vancouver Design Week
Vancouver Design Week is a city-wide festival to celebrate established and emergent design talent; to spotlight broad spectrum design innovation; to cross-pollenate and empower designers and design-thinkers across disciplines, and ultimately to leverage the potential of design for transformative agency in Vancouver (and beyond).

For fourteen days in 2014, Vancouver Design Week and partners will host workshops, idea jams, exhibitions, open building tours and open studios. Special events and parties include the inaugural City of Vancouer Urban Design Awards. Vancouver Design Week has multiple ways to get involved: host a tour, submit an event, become a supporting partner, make a donation or volunteer as a #VDW2014 Ambassador before/during the event.

Get involved:
Follow @vandesignwk on twitter and instagram
Interested volunteers please contact info@vancouverdesignwk.com

Saturday, October 4 – Doors Open Vancouver
Doors Open Vancouver is a one-day, free, behind-the-scenes look at some of Vancouver’s most intriguing buildings. Over 20 buildings will be participating in the inaugural Doors Open Vancouver event that will take place on Saturday, October 4 from 10 am – 5 pm.

Doors Open Vancouver is brought to you by the City of Vancouver and Urbanarium, in association with Vancouver Heritage Foundation, the Vancouver Public Space Network and Cascadia Green Building Council.

We are looking to recruit three types of volunteers: General Volunteers, Team Leaders and Volunteer Support. There are various shifts and specific jobs associated with each of these categories. A few general requirements: volunteers need to enjoy working with the public, be 19 years of age or older, and be able to attend one of the volunteer orientation sessions that is being organized.

Our partners have come up with some sweet incentives as well. Volunteers will receive an official Doors Open Vancouver 2014 t-shirt, a “bypass the line” wristband to use when you’re not doing your volunteer work, and an invitation to the volunteer wrap party.

To sign-up, please register online.

… And looking ahead to late October and early November: help needed for the Halloween SkyTrain Party and VPSN municipal election events

If transit parties or local politics (or both) tickle your fancy, we’ll be discussing two more events at the next VPSN volunteer orientation, taking place on Monday, September 15.

If you’d like more details, please zip us a note at volunteer [at] vancouverpublicspace [dot] ca.

2011 Halloween SkyTrain Party – Photo by Lydi@ Yan

It’s baaaaack!

Ladies and gentleman, get your make-up ready. The annual Halloween SkyTrain Party returns for the seventh year on Thursday, October 31, 2013.

Gather your friends, get your scariest and sassiest costumes together, and get ready to jump on the Canada Line for public transit experience like no other. Your job: help us to transform a regular ol’ train ride to Richmond into a bit of ghoulish magic!

The night of transit terror includes:

• On-deck action and a spankingly awesome soundtrack via DJ Rocky Fi$her – Soundcloud | Facebook)
• Snappy decorations, tasty treats
• The best-dressed crew of public space loving ghouls and goblins on the continent

After the event is done, join us as we cross Cordova Street and set up an awesome after-party … just a few steps away.

DETAILS:

• Meet at Waterfront Station – Canada Line Platform – Thursday, October 31 at 8:00pm
• WAIT for the signal (so you get on the right train!). We’ll be leaving at approximately 8:15pm
• When we return to Waterfront, follow the VPSN team and join us at the not-so-secret after-party location

SOME THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

Please party respectfully so we can make sure this bit of annual Halloween fun continues well into the future! We love our Canada Line and our SkyTrains … and they love us. Keep this in mind as we party it up in public space. This means:

• Don’t forget to buy your ticket. Fare details available on the Translink website.
• Be kind to the nice train that will carry us on our loop. The after party location will require us to exit the train fairly quickly, please remember to pack out whatever you bring with you.
• Please do not crowd the crew or equipment – we need to do a super quick set-up and tear-down
• Please be especially nice to any folks who will be joining us along the way – and invite them to join in the fun!
• And if you se ‘em, remember to say hello and thank you to the kind folks at Translink and the Canada Line who make the public transit system run!

STAY IN TOUCH

Please be sure to check out our VPSN.ca blog or Facebook event page on the day-of in case there are any additional updates.

Want to help out?! For volunteer opportunities and more information please email: info@vancouverpublicspace.ca

Do you do the twitter? Let us know via our @vpsn account – and the #skytrainparty hashtag.

Upload your photos to Flickr at tag them “skytrainparty”

ABOUT THE DJ

We’re stoked to have DJ Rocky Fi$her join us for the 2013 SkyTrain Party and after-party.

Rocky spins a wide variety of bass music genres: danceable electro, drum and bass, moombacore, drumstep, dubstep, hardstyle & trap. Creating mashups and live remixing, Rocky’s shows weave a tapestry of genres and bring a vibrant energy and soulful mood. Our versatile SkyTrain DJ is a crowd-favourite. Known for her colourful costumes and spirited performances, she puts on a show that delights, entertains and makes you move your feet!

• Sunday, October 6 – Harbour Hop!
• HOLD THE DATE: Thursday, October 31 – Halloween SkyTrain Party

VPSN RECAP

• PARK(ing) Day 2013
• P.S. I Love You – A Public Space Photo Scavenger Hunt

ENGAGE

• Saturday, October 5 – Oakridge Centre Rezoning – Open House
• Saturday, October 5 – VAG North Plaza Redesign – Open House
• Tuesday, October 8 – Improving Citizens’ Access to Speak to City Council
• Coming Up: Downtown Bus Service Review
• Coming Up: Community and Neighbourhood Planning Work – Public Realm Items
• Talk Vancouver – New online space for you to share your ideas and opinions

OTHER EVENTS

• Monday October 15 – Sunday October 20 – Living the New Economy 2013
• October 22, 24, 28, 29 – Carbon Talks presents: Moving In Metro: A discussion on mobility pricing
• Tuesday November 5 – The Creek Forum
• Friday November 8 – Saturday November 9 – Media Democracy Days

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

• Campaigning, Outreach and Communication — Get On Board BC

VPSN UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

Sunday, October 6 – Harbour Hop!

The weather this Sunday is looking sunny and rain free! What better time than now to join the Vancouver Public Space Network for a unique autumn walking experience – an urban hike along all of Vancouver’s Burrard Inlet waterfront. Beginning at the Coal Harbour entrance to Stanley Park, this walk will travel east, along the Coal Harbour seawall, through the historic streets of Gastown and Railtown, past the industrial areas bordering our working port, and through the neighbourhoods of Grandview-Woodland and Hastings-Sunrise, terminating at New Brighton Park.

This is not a guided tour, but rather a communal stroll to enjoy the diversity of our harbour and its bordering neighbourhoods. Come see the many faces of Burrard Inlet – from its forest of glass towers to its historic cobblestone streets to the trucks and cranes of a busy port, to the quiet and leafy East Van neighbourhoods offering peek-a-boo views of the water.

Meet at the base of Aerodynamic Forms In Space, that funky airplane sculpture on the western end of Devonian Harbour Park, just east of where the pedestrian/cycling underpass under Georgia Street emerges. (Where the Stanley Park seawall ‘begins.’). The walk begins at 1pm sharp. Estimated walking time – about 3 hours. (And when the walk is over, transit is close by to get you home.)

This will be a fun, relaxed event. Invite your friends, bring your camera, and wear your most comfortable walking shoes!

IMPORTANT NOTE: This event is contingent on decent weather – so please our VPSN blog or Facebook event page on Sunday morning for updates.

:: Have questions? Give Scott a shout at: scott [at] vancouverpublicspace [dot] ca
:: Facebook Event Page

HOLD THE DATE: Thursday, October 31 – Halloween SkyTrain Party

Our VPSN signature event is back for the eighth year! Gather your friends, get your sassiest costumes together and get ready to celebrate public transit by jumping on the SkyTrain for a Halloween ride like no other.

We’re in the process of sorting out event details and will be releasing these over the next few weeks. We’ve got a spankingly awesome dj lined up, an after-party in the works and all sorts of other goodies in store. Mark your calendars!

VPSN RECAP

PARK(ing) Day 2013

PARK(ing) Day is a worldwide celebration of public space reclamation. The premise is simple: with a shortage of parks and an abundance of parking spaces, there’s an opportunity to rethink the way we allocate land within our urban environments.

On Friday, September 20 the VPSN – in collaboration with City Studio, Modo Car Co-op, Tradeworks and a team of great volunteers collaborated to transform two parking spots outside of Japadog on Robson Street into a vibrant, musical and ‘woody’ community space for the day.

Using recycled wood and pallets to create an intimate space for passersby’s and downtown residents, our upcycled parking space became a place for people to sit, read, eat, talk, rest, meet new people, play the piano, and engage in art. A base ‘woody’ surface was designed and built in an East Vancouver backyard supported the CityStudio’s ‘Long Table’ and Polka-Dot piano, along with Ken Lum’s mobile art cart and Robert Beckenwermert’s covered wagon.

:: Check out Eric Scott’s photographs of Park(ing) Day
:: Moving pictures – a short video of the event was put together by GP Mendoza

P.S. I Love You – A Public Space Photo Scavenger Hunt

At 12PM on game day, the VPSN Game Masters at PS I Love U HQ didn’t know what to expect, but then the pictures started to flood in. 30 teams of public space enthusiasts were on the streets of Vancouver, tackling a big list of 57 riddles.

We were totally blown away by the enthusiasm, creativity, and determination of all the participating teams from the moment we received the first photo. A big shout out to all the players who fearlessly combed the city on Saturday afternoon. We received a lot of great photos and can’t wait to share them with all of you.

A fierce game was played, but after the dust had settled there were three teams at the top – The Life Warriors (106 points), The Mole Hill Monsters (75 points) and Jessica’s Day (66 points). We’ll be posting all the answers to the clues in short order. Stay tuned!

:: Check out our blog post for more details and photos from the day’s event

ENGAGE

Saturday, October 5 – Oakridge Centre Rezoning – Open House

One of two City of Vancouver open houses taking place this weekend. A revised rezoning application for the Oakridge Centre development is now being considered by the City. In addition to the expansion of the mall itself, the proposed mixed-use development would introduce 11 buildings onto the site and a number of public space features. Features of the proposal include:

• Doubling the size of the mall to 1.4 million square feet
• 2,916 residential units
• 300,000 square feet of new office space
• A 70,000-square-foot civic centre (community centre, library, seniors centre and childcare space)
• Rooftop open space
• A range of building heights between six and 45 storeys

The Open House takes place 10:00am – 4:00pm at Oakridge Centre in the former Zellers location, 650 West 41st Avenue (41st and Cambie)

:: View the City’s Oakridge webpage and check out the “documents” tab for detailed boards and renderings
:: Provide a comment on the rezoning application here

Saturday, October 5 – VAG North Plaza Redesign – Open House

Earlier this week, the City unveiled three proposals for the redesign of the Art Gallery North Plaza (also known as Centennial Square or Courthouse Square). They’re part of a process of reviewing and redeveloping the plaza that began last year with the “Block 51” consultations that investigated the public space possibilities of both the North Plaza and the 800-block of Robson.

We’re excited to see the City move ahead with this process. The North Plaza is an important space in the City… and one whose historical significance and practical uses are currently undermined by a number of problematic design features (including circulation challenges, a fountain that many loathe and a bark mulch ground-cover that has recently turned into something resembling a mud pool).

If you’re keen on helping this plaza being something better than it is please lend your voice. We encourage you pop by Robson Square and visit the Open House. Check out the concepts and talk with the design team that put them together. (At this point they’re not trying to ‘pick a winner – just get feedback on the features that people like and don’t like).

The event takes place 12:30-3:30pm at the UBC Robson Square, Plaza Lounge (inside the main entrance opposite the skating rink).

:: Concept 1 – Wet 
:: Concept 2 – Active Edge 
:: Concept 3 – Plalo Ring
:: Main City of Vancouver “Block 51” webpage 
:: Feedback Questionnaire

Tuesday, October 8 – Improving Citizens’ Access to Speak to City Council

This will be of interest to VPSN members who are interested in the role of democratic spaces. A motion will be considered next Tuesday, October 8, at City Council that looks at the accessibility of Council deliberations to the average citizen. This is an issue that we identified in our Route Map of public space policy a few years back – and something that we continue to feel strongly about.

The motion – which has yet to be debated – asks that City staff “investigate best practices, consult with the Mayor’s Engaged City Task Force, the City’s advisory committees and others, and report back to Council within two months with suggestions on how to improve citizens’ access to speak to City Council, including the possibility of allowing citizens to sign up for daytime or evening time periods, and the use of technology to alert speakers as to which number on the speakers’ list is being heard.”

:: Read the full text of the motion
:: Have your say – follow this link to see how you can register a comment

Coming Up: Downtown Bus Service Review

The City of Vancouver and TransLink are in the midst of a joint study of downtown local bus service to take into account the many changes that have taken place downtown in the past few years. Recently, they released a summary of what they heard from the public during their consultations in late June and early July of this year.

We are following the City and TransLink’s work on this item closely, as it has the potential to benefit both transit mobility and the downtown public realm. Further information on this study will be released in Fall 2013 and we will provide an additional update at that time.

:: Downtown Bus Service Review webpage
:: Summary of initial consultation

Coming Up: Community and Neighbourhood Planning Work – Public Realm Items

Also on the books for Fall 2013 are a number of neighbourhood-scale public realm items:

• The Mount Pleasant Community Plan Implementation Plan, which includes a separate neighbourhood Public Realm Plan will be presented to Council.
• The West End Community Plan, which includes a number of public realm components will also be considered by Council
• Additional work is on-going with the Downtown Eastside Local Area Plan, the Grandview-Woodland and Marpole Community Plans, and the Eastern Core Strategy.

Stay tuned for updates on these items as they emerge.

Talk Vancouver – New online space for you to share your ideas and opinions

From the City’s webpage:

“As part of our Engaged City initiative, we invite you to be part of Talk Vancouver, an online space for civic participation.

Help us build a better Vancouver by becoming a member of the City’s online community of trusted, local advisors. We’ll be inviting you to participate in studies and discussions to ask you about your needs and ideas, share information with you about new initiatives, and find out what’s most important to you.

Why join? When you sign up for Talk Vancouver, you can:

• Play your part in shaping Vancouver
• Ensure that your unique views and ideas are included in the conversation
• Stay informed and connected to the City’s latest initiatives
• Participate in public consultations online

:: To join visit the Talk Vancouver webpage

OTHER EVENTS

Monday October 15 – Sunday October 20 – Living the New Economy 2013

Check out the exciting line up of workshops, film and capacity-building events at the second annual Living the New Economy conference. The event takes place at Granville Island and features a number of events that will be of interest to public space aficionados, including the following:

• Workshops with place-maker extraordinaire Mark Lakeman (Portland City Repair)
• Indigenous Leadership and Perspectives on the New Economy
• Reclaiming the Commons: Why the future will be distributed and open source (with Michel Bauwens, P2P Foundation, Dallas Luther, MakerLabs, and Tiberius Brastaviceanu, Sensorica)
• Shared Spaces and Physical Incubators: how co-location fosters a collaborative culture, (with John Bromely, Benevoland and Tara Mahoney, Gen Why Media)

Each event is individually ticketed, or you can get full passes for the week-long event (at quite a reasonable rate, we might add!).

:: More information via the Living the New Economy webpage including and complete

October 22, 24, 28, 29 – Carbon Talks presents: Moving In Metro: A discussion on mobility pricing

Being able to move around our cities is critical for transporting goods, accommodating jobs and population growth, building strong and vibrant communities, and connecting with our partners in the region and elsewhere. But how do we pay for our transportation system in a way that is fair and transparent and provides for our current and future needs?

The SFU Centre for Dialogue is hosting a series of four regional dialogues with residents to explore one response to this question – mobility pricing. The goal of each session is to increase our understanding of mobility pricing as it applies to roads and to hear citizens’ perspectives on its potential role in Metro Vancouver’s transportation system.

:: More information or to register

Tuesday November 5 – The Creek Forum

Continuing the work of the St. George Rainway Project, The Creek Stewards (students from Mount Pleasant Elementary) will lead a day of activities designed to inform and inspire engagement with place-making, specifically around the “headwaters” of theRainway (Kingsway and St. George st). This event reflects and celebrates over a year of work the students have undertaken to meet their community enhancement goals.

:: More information – Creek Forum Website

Friday November 8 – Saturday November 9 – Media Democracy Days

Media Democracy Days is an annual media reform conference that promotes alternative, independent, and democratic media in Canada. MDD is organized in partnership with SFU’s School of Communication, The Vancouver Public Library, and OpenMedia.ca, and is held annually to engage the public in critical debates relating to media-related issues…This year’s event focal points include information control, access to information, personal privacy, and online spying.

:: Check out this year’s programming at the Media Democacy Days webpage

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Campaigning, Outreach and Communication — Get On Board BC

The Vancouver Public Space Network has endorsed the GetOnBoard BC coalition to advocate for sustainable funding for improved public transit service and infrastructure across Metro Vancouver. Get On Board BC is in need of a number of volunteers to assist with tasks such as writing, research, coordination, outreach and community engagement, campaigning, communication and coalition-building around the future of transportation throughout the region.

:: Contact Karen Quinn Fung (quinn@vancouverpublicspace.ca) to learn more.