At roughly 1000m2, the new park will occupy roughly a third of a city block – and will be part of an overall redevelopment of the block that also includes a non-market housing project.

This is an interesting site, and one that is prominently located in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. There’s lots of potential for the new public space to serve as a ‘gateway’ to the area, but there are also some challenges that will need to be accounted for as well. Chief among them: the task of creating an inviting gathering area next to a busy arterial road.

So how do you think the park should look and feel? This initial survey gives you a chance to share your ideas on the character of the space, potential activities, design and landscaping treatments and more.

• Read the Information Booklet
  
• Take the Survey

Moving can be great for a whole bunch of reasons: a new home to fit your life into, and a new neighbourhood with a lot of things to discover in the process. This summer I moved to Mount Pleasant and found a ton of new public spaces to explore. Some of them I knew (the great parklet in front of Devil May Wear), but others I had never even talked through, let alone spent time in. I also discovered “Poodle Park” at Main and E 17th (underneath the somewhat infamous Main Street Poodle statue by Gisele Amantea). Despite the controversy surround this canine-themed public art installation (or maybe partially as a result of it?) this mini-park the is one of my favourite little spots in the neighbourhood.

I’m still trying to figure out how all the elements of the space come together, from the reclaimation of roadway that helped to create the park, to the Poodle perched on its pole, to the big red sculpture made of tubes (it took me way too long to come up with that description) … not to mention the somewhat battered patio furniture, the grassy “hill,” and the concrete benches. It’s a bit of a hodge-podge, but spending time there this summer helped me feel more at home in my new ‘hood.

I knew a fair bit about the neighbourhood before I moved in but it was nice to compare notes with my neighbours about the best coffee (many lamented the closing of Bean around the World) or where to get the cheapest avocados. But the best conversation by far was with Esther, a new friend who has lived in the neighbourhood for over 40 years and who I was fortunate enough to meet on her way home from bingo.

Ester and I first met under the Poodle and our first conversation was an inspiring one, chock-full of the older woman’s life-lessons – including the unironically delivered, and ever useful “when there’s something in front of you, just get a plow and plow right through it”. I ended up walking Esther home and she told me a novel full of colourful stories about my new neighbours and her friends, including some who had lived in the older houses on our street that are now being rebuilt. Esther is a living repository of neighbourhood change.

I’ve run into Esther a few times since then and it’s nice to stop and chat and check in and listen for more grains of wisdom (the latest: “aging is hard, but I’m tough”). Our conversations make me feel more connected to a neighbourhood that I’m still getting used to, and her take on life makes it feel more like a home.

There’s a good lesson here. If you’ve moved recently (or even if you haven’t), grab your gortex and an umbrella (rainy season is here after all) and spend some time in your neighbourhood public spaces. Push yourself to smile and say hello to a stranger. You never know who you might meet.

Saturday, October 3 – Doors Open Vancouver

The VPSN is proud to be collaborating on this year’s Doors Open Vancouver. The day-long event allows you behind-the-scenes access to an array of civic buildings and facilities. This is a once-a-year chance to get a whole new perspective on some of the city’s most unique architecture, green design, and cultural heritage.

Among the many highlights: backstage visits at the Orpheum and QE Theatres, a trip inside the False Creek Energy Centre, a peek inside operations at the VPL Central Library, a ride on the Stanley Park train, and a chance to check out the Vancouver Tactical Training Centre.

Some of the facilities have different “opening” hours, while others require sign-up. All of them are guaranteed to intrigue. (And if you happen to pop by the Stanley Park or Energy Centre sites, be sure to say ‘hi’ to the VPSN crew!)

:: More information – Doors Open website

Saturday, October 3 – Sunday, October 4 – Harvest Haus

October means Octoberfest! Queen Elizabeth Plaza (Hamilton at Georgia) comes alive with Vancouver’s largest Volksfest, Harvest Haus. Celebrate this hallmark of Deutsch culture – the crunch of fresh produce, crackle of the grill, the fizz of the pour, the bite of the chopping block, and the clinking of glassware. (Note: this is a ticketed event).

:: More information – Harvest Haus website

Sunday, October 4 – South False Creek Seawall open house

Here’s your chance to contribute to an important civic process on one of Vancouver’s most cherished public spaces. The City is working to improve conditions for people walking and cycling along the South False Creek Seawall (between Cambie Bridge and Burrard Bridge). After some initial community discussions, they’re now seeking public input on key issues and proposed solutions for different segments of this route.

The event takes place at the Granville Island Hotel, 1253 Johnston Street, Granville Island. Plan to stop by to look at the various proposals and share your feedback. You can drop in anytime between 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Note: A second event takes place Tues Oct 6 from 4-7 at the Maritime Museum).

:: For more information, or to see some of the concept materials – South False Creek Seawall Webpage

Sunday, October 4 – Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market Fall Fair

Celebrate the changing of the seasons by participating in a local Fall Fair. There’s lots of all-ages fun to be had, including a pumpkin patch (courtesy of Applebarn Pumpkin Farm), bean bag toss, food trucks, fall-themed crafts for kids, yummy treats and more!

The event takes place 10:00-2:00pm at 2300 Guelph Street – between Mt Pleasant Elementary School and Guelph Park

:: More information – Mt. Pleasant Fall Fair Webpage

…Coming up next week 

Our next newsletter will have all sorts of other public space goodies for you, including stories on Robson Square, our take on the new Art Gallery proposal, and upcoming VPSN projects (including the annual Halloween SkyTrain party, hydrophobic art, and our new public space reading club). Stay tuned!

Dude Chilling Park. Photo by Gary AK

Remember the Dude Chilling sign that was installed, guerilla-style, in Guelph Park? Well it looks like it’s one step closer to becoming a permanent part of the greenspace. A just-released Park Board staff report is recommending this, and the issue will be discussed in detail at the next Board meeting on February 3, 2014.

The sign, using a clever duplication of the traditional Park Board palette, is the handiwork of local artist Victor Briestensky. At the time of its installation in November 2012, news of the guerilla work went quickly viral, and supporters circulated a petition to keep the sign. Over 1,500 signatures were gathered.

Shortly afterward, Park Board commissioners weighed in and asked for a formal consultation. The results of that process, outlined in a staff report, are up for consideration next week. In it, Parks staff write:

“Given the results of the [consultation] process… staff support the installation of the artwork in Guelph Park and also recommend installing a plaque next to the artwork, which includes a brief description of the piece and a reference to the Coast Salish connection to the land. Staff proposed the artwork be sited in its original location, which is adjacent to the sidewalk which will minimize the impact on other uses of the park..”

Which to our minds, is a great recommendation for a well-loved piece of guerrilla art. We hope Park Board Commissioners will agree.

Here’s the details:

LIVE/WORK/PLAY in Mount Pleasant? So do we.

We want to ask you –

What is the character of your neighbourhood?

The proposed Rize development at Kingsway and Broadway has sparked some fiery questions over how we define and build community in Vancouver.

As the public re-zoning hearings continue to roll on at City Hall, Late Nite Art invites you to an evening of collaborative art making, food, music, and dialogue on the future of community in Mount Pleasant. This session is not a public debate, but rather an inquisitive process of expression around our neighbourhood and those who live and spend time there. 

Late Nite Art is a facilitated workshop that brings together diverse groups to collaboratively explore thought-provoking ideas and issues through visual arts.

This is an open platform for all non-artists and artists alike to come together. You don’t need to be able to colour within the lines or draw portraits of fruit bowls – you just need your ears, eyes and hands to put your imagination on the page.

The $20 entrance fee includes the workshop and a tasty menu of select local products courtesy of Alexander McNaughton and your local farmer’s markets.

(Drinks will be available at cash bar) 

Given that we can only accommodate a maximum of 22 people, we require your confirmation in advance to guarantee you a seat. Please register via http://lna12.eventbrite.com

We ask you to respect the time frame allotted for the event – 8.30PM – 11.30PM. This is an immersive experience that begins and ends with the same amount of people – no tardies and no early departees!

:: Email – info at lateniteart dot com 
:: Facebook Page

A quick reminder… as part of Viva Vancouver, VPSN is hosting a few evenings of laser graffiti! Want to know more? Come on out and try your hand at tagging up building walls with digital paint and lasers.

We’ll be in the Mt. Pleasant area this weekend and next, both fri & sat evenings from 9:30pm – 11pm. We’ll be in the alley behind the Lee Building right at Main & Broadway, hope you can join us!

Be sure to check out the graffiti map (or follow us on twitter @vpsn) to see where we’ll be projecting (ie. there are several potential locations we’ll be visiting in the neighborhood). We’ll update the map with times and locations in real time, so you’ll be able to find us pretty easily.