Annual New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim – 1968

Check out the English Bay Pier – not to mention the fantastic swim trunks – in the first image!

For more on the Polar Bear Swim you can check out the Park Board’s webpage here, as well as a VPSN article (and cool word-of-the-day) here.

Images courtesy of the Vancouver Archives.

When a plaza forms a part of urban space, who looks after it? Who oversees its upkeep, who decides what events take place there, and how are these decisions managed?

Approaches to these questions fall within the realm of stewardship: the operation, ongoing maintenance and programming of public space. By extension, stewardship can also encompass the regulatory environment (including its bylaws and permits) that shapes the use of the space, as well as the funding mechanisms that pay for these various items. Almost every public space presents both a need and an opportunity for care-taking.

Recently the VPSN has been studying plaza stewardship models, recognizing that stewardship is one part of the lifecycle of public space: a continuum that includes design, development, social life and renewal. The City of Vancouver has indicated an interest in looking at plaza stewardship, and at the VPSN, we want to strengthen our own work in this regard so that we can advocate for the best approach (or approaches) in our city. Thus in our research we compare stewardship case studies from across North America and Europe, in an effort to consider potential models for Vancouver.

Robson Square, Vancouver: streets transformed into a plaza. Photo: Shinsuke Ikegame on Flickr

In different situations, the guardians may be local businesses, nonprofit organizations, the municipality or its citizens, or in many cases a combination. Stewardship programs may be voluntary or paid, formal or informal.

Just a few examples of the various methods in use today:

San Francisco

The Friends of Mint Plaza, a nonprofit corporation managed by a board of directors, assumes full responsibility for the publicly owned pedestrian plaza, which measures about the same size as Vancouver’s 800 Robson.

London

By contrast, Better Bankside is an independent company made up of and led by over 600 businesses. Each contributes a levy that goes toward improving over 10,000 square metres of public space, from planting 250 trees to building and maintaining a pedestrian footbridge.

Amsterdam

Yet another approach, from the Netherlands, engages hard-to-house, long-term alcoholics as guardians. As described by the BBC, each is paid a small sum of money, a hot meal, cigarettes and five cans of beer per day to look after city streets and parks.

How about Vancouver?

Beyond documenting efforts abroad, our study takes into account different types of stewardship initiatives delivered here in our own city. While formal open-space stewardship programs may be rare – and related work mostly delivered, at the moment, by the City – there are nevertheless other programs that suggest alternatives. For example, the Green Streets program invites community members to plant gardens on corner bulges and traffic circles, ranging in size from one to over 400 square metres. The City provides compost in the spring and fall and organizes an autumn Green Streets garden party.

Through the Green Streets program, Vancouverites plant gardens on corner bulges and traffic circles. Photo: City of Vancouver

Another example is the Parklet program, targeted primarily at local businesses. On-street parking spaces are transformed into animated public spaces through landscaping, seating and even bicycle infrastructure.

More broadly, the opening of Jim Deva Plaza in July 2016 has seen the launch of a pilot stewardship strategy. This is a partnership approach between the City of Vancouver and the West End BIA. The City and BIA are responsible for day-to day use and maintenance, guided by input on longer-term programming by the Plaza Oversight Committee, made up of members from the community.

The 2016 opening of Jim Deva Plaza, Vancouver, saw the launch of a pilot stewardship strategy. Photo: Brent Granby on Flickr

With recent successes including the transformation of streets into plazas (e.g., 800 Robson) and the delivery of public space as part of new development, we believe that now is an important time to consider who looks after these spaces and how.

If you’re interested in finding out more or would like to share some inspiring stewardship models, please contact info@vancouverpublicspace.ca.

Top image: Mint Plaza, San Francisco, a publicly owned space managed by a nonprofit corporation. Photo: Sergio Ruiz on Flickr

All Flickr images by license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

We’ve picked four of our favourites.

100-in-One Day

How many urban interventions can you fit into 24 hours? Our good friends at Evergreen are behind an event called 100 in 1 Day, a cross-country initiative aimed at enlivening urban spaces. The city is host to dozens of public space activations, some small, some large, and all of them citizen-driven. There are walking tours, art installations, urban nature adventures and so much more. There is a lot going on, so be sure to check it out.

:: More information – 100-in-1 Day website

Keys to the Street Fundraiser

Our good friends at Red Cat Records are hosting a saloon style fundraiser for the Keys to the Streets program. Do you love the public pianos program as much as we do? If so, this is the event for you. Join local artists as they tinkle the ivories, and lend your support to this fantastic placemaking initiative.

:: Info and Tickets

Heart of Davie / Jim Deva Plaza – Consultation

The City of Vancouver will be holding a consultation on the preferred concept of the new plaza and public space improvements at Davie and Bute. Drop by between 11:00am and 2:00pm and share your feedback on this important initiative.

:: More information – City of Vancouver Heart of Davie webpage

Burrard Bridge & Pacific Street Intersection – Open House

The City is looking at redesigning this high-volume intersection to make it safer for all modes of transportation. Drop-by anytime during the event to meet the project team, give feedback about the proposal, and ask questions.

Event takes place 10am-2pm at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews.

:: For more information, or to provide your feedback online – City of Vancouver webpage

Curglaff. The shock felt in bathing when one first plunges into cold water.

(This public space ‘word of the day’ comes courtesy of John Jamiesons’s Etymological Scottish Dictionary, 1808. As reported in Jeffrey Kacirk’s Forgotten English.)

Happy New Year everyone! Looking to get things started with a splash of excitement? Why not start 2014 with one of Vancouver’s most bracing public space events.

The 94th annual Polar Bear swim takes place at English Bay today, January 1st. Registration (if you want to get your name on the official docket) opens at 12:30, and the event itself takes place at 2:30. Last year more than two thousand folks signed up for a chilly, collegial dunk in the Pacific Ocean.

For those that want more than just a quick plunge, there’s the Peter Pantages Memorial 100-Yard Swim Race – named for the fellow that started the Vancouver tradition in 1920. The first three first three swimmers to complete the race and reach the marker buoy will receive trophies.

If you’re thinking of participating, the Park Board offers the following tips for participants:

• Bring supplies to stay warm – a towel, blanket, change of clothes, and warm outerwear
• Know your limits in the cold water.
• Avoid diving into the water.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Keep your dogs at home.

For more information, you check out the Park Board website.

• 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.

Main Mall, UBC

It’s that time of year again! Blossoms and buds are filling the air with all sorts of olfactory treats, and the city is beginning to brighten with renewed colour. Lots of good public space and urban-related projects are under way too – our latest issue of Public Space News & Events presents a sparkling assortment of goodies for your reading pleasure.

• SPRINGING FORWARD: with four exciting VPSN projects
• ENGAGE: opportunities to get involved with urban issues in Vancouver
• EVENTS: a calendar of public space happenings for late March & April
• RESEARCH & READINGS: a short miscellany of interesting urban items
• FUNDING: for small neighbourhood projects

Springing Forward with the Public Space Network …

We’ve got a choice selection of things that we’re working on right now. Some coming up very shortly…

Thursday, March 28 – The City on Display: Urban Living and the Art of Public Space 

Get ready for the long-weekend by joining us for a lively presentation on our most-favourite of subjects. The VPSN’s Andrew Pask closes out the City of Richmond’s 2013 Lulu: Art in the City Speaker Series – with a talk that will look at the multiple connections between art and public space.

Andrew’s presentation will examine the history of public space and explore how thinking about the public realm has changed over time. Looking at the present era, it will touch on recent debates, designs and dilemmas associated with the public realm, including new park and plaza projects, the social – and ‘contested’ – nature of public places, and several of the more recent artistic interventions that have enlivened public spaces around the world.

Added bonus! The evening’s event will get started at 7 pm with a short performance by renowned jazz pianist Ron Johnston. The presentation is free, but you need to register to attend. Richmond City Hall Council Chambers; transit: Richmond-Brighouse station.

:: RSVP – Lulu Speaker Series Webpage

UpCycled Urbanism (with the Museum of Vancouver and UBC SALA)

We’ve been pleased as punch to join forces with the Museum of Vancouver (MOV) and UBC School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture (SALA) on a project called UpCycled Urbanism.

Upcycled Urbanism is a participatory design project that empowers people to reimagine Vancouver’s public spaces. The VPSN is one of four design teams that are creating prototypes of public space infrastructure using modular blocks of polystyrene salvaged from the construction of the Port Mann Bridge.

On March 17 we held a design jam at the MOV called “Block Talk.” Our aim was to explore how the infrastructure of public space can shape our connection with friends and strangers. Lots of folks showed up for the event – and the result was a fantastic collaboration where we got to roll-up the sleeves and design the sort of structures (chairs, seating, benches, etc.) that could make our public spaces more communal, connected and interesting.

In July, some of the designs from the four teams will be developed as full-size prototypes… in an as yet undisclosed location in the city. Stay tuned – and plan on grabbing a seat on the next generation of public infrastructure!

:: For more on Block Talk – jonathan [at] vancouverpublicspace [dot] ca
:: VPSN Blog – UpCycled Urbanism Post
:: Museum of Vancouver UpCycled Urbanism Events
:: Twitter: #upcycled urbanism | @museumofvan

Robson Square – Summertime Activation

In the last News & Events we shared the City’s VIVA Vancouver Call for Proposals for the 800-block of Robson Square… and asked if any of you were interested in collaborating on a submission. We got a great response and held a few jam sessions to work out ideas, draw pictures and produce a draft concept.

Our roving reporter Mary Wu was there to cover the activity, and you can read about it in her recent article on the VPSN Blog.

Regardless of how our proposal goes, we’re pleased that the 800-block will once again be a summertime public space. The last two years have featured a pair of great programs for animating the space (Picnurbia & Pop Rocks) – all of which has helped to further make the case for expanding and improving Robson Square on a permanent basis.

:: For more information – robsonsquare [at] vancouverpublicspace [dot] ca

VPSN Goes to Detroit!

The Vancouver Public Space Network is proud to be part of the Placemaking Leadership Council. We’ll be joining other organizations, policy-makers and designers at the inaugural meeting of the Council, taking place in mid-April in Detroit, Michigan. Organized by our friends at Project for Public Spaces, the two-day event will be bringing together public space advocates and organizations from nine different countries. The aim is to consolidate and strengthen placemaking as an international movement. The event will be structured around four key agenda-items:

• Creating healthier communities and improving streets by redefining transportation planning;
• Improving our built environment by advocating for people- and place-centric design through an architecture of place;
• Supporting sustainable local economies by highlighting the central role of public markets;
• And strengthening communities by creating new urban development models that re-orient our cities and towns around great multi-use destinations.

We’ll be reporting out from the event on our blog and via our social media channels. We’ll also be happily championing the good work of Vancouver placemakers and public space aficionados.

:: For more information – email andrew [at] vancouverpublicspace [dot] ca.

A Plug: Join in the fun!

In addition to the various items profiled above, we’ve got a roster of interesting projects on the go… and are always looking for volunteers who are willing to lend a hand. Our next VPSN volunteer orientation will be taking place on Wednesday, April 3. If you’re interested in learning more about the Network, please join us!

:: RSVP for Volunteer Orientation – Amy McPherson, volunteer [at] vancouverpublicspace [dot] ca.

ENGAGE: GET INVOLVED 

West End Community Plan – Open Houses – April 4 & April 9

Since the West End community planning process launched in April 2012, the City has received a wide range of feedback from residents, businesses and other stakeholders which has helped shape a set of directions. Drop-in open house to learn more about the directions and have your say. Your input will help refine the directions and create a draft plan. April 4, 4-7pm, Best Western Sands Hotel, 1755 Davie Street; April 9, 4-7pm, Blue Horizon Hotel, 1225 Robson Street.

:: Details – City of Vancouver Event Page

Ironclad Art – Manhole Cover Design Challenge – Deadline April 15

The City of Vancouver invites everyone who lives, works or goes to school in Vancouver to submit designs for new manhole covers. This year’s challenge presents an opportunity to celebrate Vancouver’s creativity and educate the public about our water infrastructure. Creative citizen participation is key to City of Vancouver’s Greenest City 2020 Action Plan and the Culture Plan for Vancouver. Two winners will be chosen and receive a prize of $2000 each, in addition to seeing their designs cast in iron as manhole covers and placed at select locations in the city.

:: Application details and more information – ironcladart.ca

Make an Impact. HUB is Seeking New 2013 Board Members

Are you passionate about making cycling better in Metro Vancouver? Do you want to help shape the strategic and policy direction for HUB to make cycling an attractive choice for everyone? You could be a great fit for the HUB Board of Directors. Board applications are due by April 8th and board members will be elected at our AGM in May.

:: For details on how to apply – HUB Webpage

Join the Vancouver Volunteer Corps

Lend a hand with the new Vancouver Volunteer Corps – a rewarding way to share and develop skills. Find out how you can help during emergencies and public events. Attend a volunteer orientation at Trout Lake Community Centre (March 28) or Coal Harbour Community Centre (April 16)

:: More Information – City of Vancouver Event Page

Lead a Jane’s Walk!

Jane’s Walk is the street-level celebration of Jane Jacobs’ legacy that combines the simple act of walking with personal observations, urban history and local lore as a way of knitting people together into strong and resourceful communities. It takes place May 5th & 6th, 2012.

Jane’s Walks very widely. One tour might focus on history and architecture, and another might be about tracking down the best local samosas and park benches – but they all boil down to being a conversation about between people who like talking to their neighbours and learning about cities. Jane’s Walks have been led by urban planners, guerrilla gardeners, youth, professors, newcomers, social historians, cyclists, homeless rights activists, and former mayors. Lead a walk, or go on a walk: We hope you’ll join us in re-discovering Vancouver’s vibrant and fascinating neighbourhoods.

:: Sign up – Jane’s Walk Webpage
:: Local Inquiry: yuri [at] janeswalk [dot] net

Want to be an Urban Farmer? Go to School!

Introducing the 2013 season of the SPEC Urban Farmer Field School (UFFS), a program giving people skills in sustainable agriculture – everything from starting your seeds to starting an urban farm. Over 25 courses are being offered, on subjects such as: organic soil management, fruit tree canopy management, seed starting, urban farming on a budget, and more.

:: For more information – SPEC Webpage

Infuse Vancouver 2013: Digital Media Showcase and Competition

Infuse Vancouver 2013 is the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) national urban planning conference that will be held this year in Vancouver, July 6 – 9. It’s the largest urban planning conference in Canada and will bring leading planners from across the country and internationally to Vancouver.

A key part of the conference will be the Digital Media Showcase and Competition. The purpose of the competition is to draw attention to the creative ways that people (from all professions and walks of life) are using digital media (photo and video) to shape, inform, and raise awareness of their communities. The end goal is to encourage planners to embrace digital media as a valuable tool to engage with their local communities (and for their communities to engage with them!) and to promote a more open and creative civic dialogue.

:: More information – www.infuse.ca > ‘Digital Media’ link

The Sharing Project

Check this out! A new project aimed to inspire and guide the growth of sharing in Vancouver. Yes, sharing! Things like cars, tools, workspace, bikes, knowledge, skills, food – you name it. The research this team is doing is aimed at providing intelligent information for community leaders to step forward and create sharing projects that are powerful, meaningful, and desired in their neighborhoods.

Find out more via Facebook, or contribute via the crowdfunding campaign. Things are just getting rolling!

:: Sharing Project – Facebook Page
:: Sharing Project – Crowdfunding Page

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Now – April 6 – Lost in the City

A hand-printed photography show that explore issues of identity, control, knowledge and reality that exists within the chaos of a metropolis. This assemblage is a portrayal of the consciousness of a small group of artists and their experiences of navigating life in Canadian cities. The show opens on Thursday, March 21, and runs until April 6. The gallery is open Wednesday–Saturdays 1–4PM. Positive Negative Gallery, 436 Columbia Street.

:: Lost in the City – Facebook Page

Wednesday, March 27 – Vancouver’s Main Post Office

Heritage Vancouver, Philip Boname of Urbanics Consultants, Patricia Bourque of Bourque Bruegger Architects, and Bruno Freschi, a distinguished architect best known for his role as chief architect for Expo 86, will discuss the future of Vancouver’s Main Post Office.

Admission is free, but registration is required as space is limited. 7pm. Alliance for Arts & Culture, 938 Howe Street.

:: To register – Heritage Vancouver Webpage

Now through – April 1 – Easter in Stanley Park

Spring has sprung at the Stanley Park Miniature Train. Ride the train, hunt for Easter eggs, enjoy Easter themed crafts and visit with the Easter Bunny. Easter egg hunts take place throughout the day. Bring your own Easter basket. $8.75 per child and includes train ride and Easter egg hunt / $3.50 per adult to ride the train.

:: More Information – City of Vancouver Event Page

Saturday, March 30 – Kitsilano War Memorial Community Centre Eggstravaganza

Eggciting things will be happening at Kits CC! The gym will be full of fun activities for all ages; crafts, games, face painting, cookie decorating and much, much more! Parent participation required. $6 per child (infants under 12 months free). Starts at 11:00am. Pre-registration required.

:: More Info – Kits CC – Facebook Event Page

Saturday, March 30 – Renfrew Easter Event

Face painting, crafts and our famous Egg Hunt. Register your child for one of the time slots to guarantee their space in the hunt. (Children less than 6yrs must be accompanied by an adult). Limited number of tickets available. $5/child

:: More Info – Renfrew Facebook Event Page

Sunday, March 31, April 28, May 26 – Refrew Ravine Clean-up and Planting party

Come out to Renfrew Ravine for a monthly ravine clean-up and planting party! Lend a hand hunting unwanted garbage, re-introducing native plant species, and conducting water quality tests.

The event takes place on the last Sunday of March, April and May and begins at 10:00am. Meet at the ravine by 27th Avenue to get your hands dirty. Tea and treats afterwards at the Art House in Field at Slocan Park.

:: More Info – Facebook Event Page 

Sunday, March 31 – Mountain View Cemetary – Walking Tour with John Atkin & Andy Coupland

Venture off to the cemetery and visit some of the notable residents who helped shape Vancouver’s early skyline. Meet outside Celebration Hall, 5445 Fraser Street (enter off of 39th Ave). Cost $10 (cash only). Lasts approximately two hours.

:: For more info – John Atkin’s Webpage

Tuesday, April 2 – Food Talks Vol 7: Food Trucks

This is the seventh event in this Food Talks series! This edition of Food Talks is themed Food Trucks: The business & the movement. Meet and mingle with other foodies, and to hear some enlightening speakers from the food community.

:: More Info & Tickets – Food Talks Eventbrite Page

Wednesday, April 3 – Bring Your Boomers – All Candidates Election Forum

Our good friends at GenWhy are hosting their next Bring Your Boomers event – and it’s an All Candidates Forum! Come learn about what BC’s provincial political candidates have to say about about address the challenge of climate change in BC. The event will bring together young voters with political candidates and go beyond traditional political debates by presenting an engaging mix of intelligent conversation, media, storytelling and music to provide a culturally-driven entry point to discuss social transformation. The event features the following candidates: David Eby (NDP), Gabby Kalaw (Liberal), Duane Nickull (BC Conservative Party), Bob Simpson (Independent) and Jane Sterk (Green Party). Musical performance by Au4. The event takes place 7pm at the Rio Theatre (1660 E Broadway).

:: More Information – Bring Your Bookers Webpage
:: Tickets (by donation) – Eventbrite

April 4 – April 27 – Tree Walks & Talks

Various walking tours throughout Vancouver – all to coincide with the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival. Takes place at Coal Harbour, Van Dusen Gardens, Oppenheimer Park, UBC, Stanley Park, QE Park, West End and Downtown.

:: Details – Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Webpage

Friday, April 5 – Bike Movie Night

The good folks at Kickstand (Commercial Drive & Venables) are screening The Triplets of Belleville. Show starts at 8pm and admission is by donation.

:: More Info – Kickstand – Facebook Event Page

Saturday, April 6 – Worldwide Pillowfight Day

Here’s your chance to participate in the 8^th annual Worldwide Pillowfight – taking place on the 800-block of Robson Street (between Hornby and Howe). Stow a nice soft pillow under your jacket, show up for 3:00pm, and get ready for pillow fight mayhem!

Getting ready to rumble? There are some pretty sensible rules you should take a look at first – because they’re key to making sure the event is safe, friendly and fun. (You can find them on the Facebook Page).

:: Vancouver Pillowfight – Facebook Page
:: International Pillowfight Day – Webpage

Monday, April 8 – SALA Lecture – Julie Bargmann (D.I.R.T. Studio)

Interested in landscape design and some clever place-making projects? Check out this free presentation by Julie Bargmann – who will be presenting the 2013 Cornelia Hahn Oberlander Lecture. Takes place at 6:30pm, UBC Robson Square.

:: DIRT Studio – Webpage 

Thursday, April 11 – EastVanLove Vol. 8: Journey to Now

On a daily basis, we walk among monuments, memorials and mementos, easily passing by historic landmarks and forgotten memories of a culturally diverse community. #EastVanLove Vol 8 inviting will dig up the past while paying homage to the micronarratives that make up East Vancouver’s historic legacy. Features presentations by Jason Vanderhill (Illustrated Vancouver), Am Johal (SFU Office of Community Engagement), John Atkin (Walking Tours of Vancouver) and Naveen Girn (Vancouver’s Bhangra Story). Takes place at SFU Woodwards

:: East Van Love – Information and Tickets – Eventbrite 

Saturday, April 13 – World Umbrella Dance Flashmob

Learn the moves and do the Umbrella Dance with funky new moves from all over the world! Part of the Cherry Blossom Festival. Takes place at Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza.

:: Details and rehearsal info at Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Webpage 

Saturday, April 13 – Coal Harbour Spring Carnival

Spring has sprung! Come and enjoy the fun at this family friendly spring carnival in the auditorium. Games, bouncy castle, arts & crafts, make a flower facinator, decorate a cookie and enjoy some music! Pre-register to ensure your spot, space limited. 10am. $5-6. Coal Harbour Community Centre.

:: Details – Coal Harbour – Facebook Event Page

Monday April 15 – Connecting Transportation Professionals – Brainstorm Gathering & Mixer

Interested in starting up a new networking group for individuals with an interest in innovative transportation solutions, particularly in alternative forms of transportation! Join a special gathering on Monday, April 15th to brainstorm ideas as to what the mission of this networking group should be, and what type of events/actions we could organize. This will also be a great networking opportunity! If you are interested in joining in on the conversation, come to a meeting at 6-9pm at the Elephant & Castle, 385 Burrard St at Hastings (in the upstairs area).

Saturday, April 27 – Strolling the Stoll

A guided tour of the area of the West End that provided a safe environment for sex workers before they were evicted in the 1980s. This fascinating journey through not-too-distant history will be lead by Jamie Lee Hamilton, who will share rich stories and insights from her own days working the Davie Stroll. The tour will focus on 8-10 stops in the Davie Street area, then continue down to the Aquatic Centre. Concludes at Museum of Vancouver. Tour fee ($15) includes water transport and admission to Museum of Vancouver’s Sex Talk in the City exhibition.

:: Details and tickets – Museum of Vancouver Event Calendar

RESEARCH & GOOD READING

A round-up of recent items related to public space, city-building and the urban condition…

Vancouver Archives – Map & Plan Digitization Project

Map geeks rejoice! The Vancouver Archives have recently completed a project to digitize 512 maps and plans in our holdings. You can read about highlights of the project on their excellent blog and can also search through full-resolution versions of the maps.

:: Vancouver Archives Blog – The Map & Plan Digitization Project

30Km/hr on Residential Roads Reduces Casualties

“Recent evidence from Portsmouth shows that, when implemented on a wide scale without traffic calming, (what we call “Total 20”), 20 mph [30kmh] speed limits reduce casualties by 22% and have a varied speed reduction effect dependent upon previous average vehicle speeds.” | More…

Foncie’s Photos – Vancouver Street Photography Collection

Foncie Pulice, Vancouver’s best-known street photographer, shot millions of photographs of people from 1934 through 1979 as they walked along Vancouver’s downtown streets, or beside English Bay, or just inside the P.N.E., or close to the entrance of Stanley Park. For half a century, Foncie captured moments in time, the history of a city, and the lives of British Columbians. This material – or much of it – has now been gathered into a content, and will also be developed into a film.

:: Visit the Foncie’s Photos Webpage

Toronto Public Space Initiative – TAPS – Tagging City Hall

Here’s an interesting project developed by the Toronto Public Space Initiative – a civic engagement tool called TABS On Toronto that will let residents, media, staff, and organizations sign up for email alerts from City Council based on their keyword preferences.

For example, a user can type into the system the name of their local street, or a policy issue of interest to them. Whenever that word comes up on a Council agenda item or background document they will get an automatic email from the system informing them of the upcoming Council meeting.

Resident’s will have an easier time keeping informed of what government is doing, never missing a beat, and getting their full 7 days statutory notice.

The system is launching as a beta and is intended to help residents and organizations such as BIAs and Resident’s Associations, City Staff, Media, and NGOs – making it easier for stakeholders to engage with City Hall and hold government accountable.

:: More information – TABS on Toronto Webpage

Toronto Pt. II – Animated Laneways Research

Over 2012 and 2013 the Toronto Public Space Initiative worked with Ryerson University Master Students to investigate how to best implement and develop animated laneways in Toronto’s downtown through an analysis of laneway projects and policies in Toronto and internationally. A report was produced that identifies best practices for laneway animation implementation and viability, as well as guidelines to overcome barriers and challenges that may hinder laneway projects.

:: For more information or to review the report – TPSI Webpage

New Book – Transcultural Cities: Border-Crossing and Placemaking

Our pal Jeffrey Hou (U Washington) has a new book out that examines how placemaking can serves as a vehicle for cross-cultural learning and understanding. Here’s a snip from the promotional blurb:

“Transcultural Cities uses a framework of transcultural placemaking, cross-disciplinary inquiry and transnational focus to examine a collection of case studies around the world, presented by a multidisciplinary group of scholars and activists in architecture, urban planning, urban studies, art, environmental psychology, geography, political science, and social work. The book addresses the intercultural exchanges as well as the cultural trans-formation that takes place in urban spaces. In doing so, it views cultures not in isolation from each other in today’s diverse urban environments, but as mutually influenced, constituted and transformed.”

:: For more on the book – Routledge Webpage

Mark Kingwell – Is Public Space A Public Good? – VIDEO

Philosopher Mark Kingwell was in Vancouver recently, and presented the annual Warren Gill Memorial Lecture. The VPSN’s Katie Stowe wrote up the event in a blog post earlier this month and now – for those that want to see (or re-see) the lecture in its entirety – full-length video is available on YouTube.

Public space is routinely seen as the cure to every imaginable urban ill, from air quality to obesity. But how much of what we call public space is really public? Author and critic Mark Kingwell considers this problem, together with its implications for the notion of urban play and the so-called ‘right to the city.’

:: YouTube – Warren Gill Memorial Lecture 

FUNDING

City of Vancouver / Vancouver Foundation – Neighbourhood Small Grants

The City of Vancouver and Vancouver Foundation have teamed up to help make Vancouver the greenest city by 2020. Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) are designed to help fund projects that have a green focus. The aim is to encourage local initiatives, designed and undertaken by residents, right in their community. Grants of up to $1,000 are available.

:: For application details and criteria – Neighbourhood Small Grants Webpage 

SUPPORT THE VPSN

The Vancouver Public Space Network is an all-volunteer, community-driven enterprise that works on advocacy, education and outreach pertaining to the city’s public realm. We depend on member contributions in order to undertake our projects and activities. Looking to lend a hand? Please consider making a donation or signing up for one of our volunteer projects. Find out how you can help: info [at] vancouverpublicspace.ca

CONTACT

Vancouver Public Space Network
Box 2754 Station Terminal
349 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC, V6B 3X2

General info: info [at] vancouverpublicspace.ca
Newsletter Submissions: newsletter [at] vancouverpublicspace.ca

Facebook: VPSN Facebook Group and VPSN Facebook Page

Flickr: VPSN group and photostream

Twitter: @vpsn

Editor’s note: the original version of this post indicated that the West End and Grandview-Woodland Community Stories events were scheduled for Thursday, May 11 and Friday, May 12 respectively. The correct dates are Thursday, May 10 (West End) and Friday, May 11 (Grandview-Woodland).

It’s been a little while since our last newsletter and we wanted to give you a quick update on some of our projects, as well as some other awesome things taking place around town.

First, a quick organizational note: the VPSN has recently being doing some retooling work that will better enable us to offer a mix of engaging public space projects (the fun stuff that everyone loves) and broader, issues-based advocacy. We’ll be rolling out details of these changes shortly.

The more immediate news is that we have a lot of cool things in the works, including: a summer time long-table event called Lunch Meet, a transit-related competition for graphic designers, some public space mapping work in the downtown (help needed!) and a storytelling project called P.S I love you. And back by popular demand… laser graffiti.

And while we’re at it, there’s a few other current initiatives that we wanted to alert you to:

Space98 – Transforming an Unused Transit Stop

Sometimes it’s the small interventions that really get people’s attention. Recently, our VPSN Transportation team – led by Cycling Coordinator Brandon Yan – installed a peel ‘n stick chalkboard on a disused bus shelter at Granville and Broadway. Along the board itself, they left a nice quote by Jane Jacobs and an invitation to the community to imagine what the space might be used for. People loved it!

Coast Mountain Bus Company – who ‘own’ the shelter – weren’t sure what to make of it at first… but the opportunity to engage the community directly on questions like this has caught their eye.

So here’s a question for you: What sorts of unused or underutilized spaces exist in your neighbourhood? And how have you dreamed about activating these spaces. Send us your ideas. We’ll gather them into a compilation, map them, and share them back with you over the next few months.

:: Underused public spaces and places? Email eliana [at] vancouverpublicspace [dot] ca

:: More on Space98 – Brandon [at] vancouverpublicspace [dot] ca

Mobile Speakers’ Corner

Lots of other cities have Speakers’ Corners – London, Sydney, Toronto, to name just three – but not Vancouver. Strange eh? Thankfully, all that’s about to change – as the VPSN Democratic Spaces team is working on a mobile Speakers’ Corner for use around Vancouver.

Interested in seeing some good ol’ fashioned public debate? Hankering for your own 5 minutes on the soap-box? The Speakers’ Corner is being built this week and will be ready for roll-out shortly thereafter. Look for it around town… and get in touch if you want more details.

:: Email democraticspaces [at] vancouverpublicspace.ca

ENGAGE

New Community Plans in development for Marpole, Grandview-Woodland and the West End. Get involved!

Neighbourhood planning work is getting underway in Marpole, Grandview-Woodland and the West End. The City will be working with community members in each of the three areas to develop a long-range plan to manage growth and change. Community plans develop directions for a number of areas – including housing, land-use and transportation. Work will also engage the community on key aspects of public space – streetscapes, parks and public areas, public art and more.

This is a great opportunity for public space aficionados in these neighbourhoods, and the City is proposing a number of engagement opportunities along the way. The very first event – a storytelling evening hosted by local funny man Steve Burgess – takes place tomorrow night (Tuesday, May 1) in Marpole. The other two neighbourhoods have similar events taking place in just over a week. There’s also walking tours, open houses and bunches of other items in the hopper.

Check out the details on the various neighbourhood webpages and sign-up for the individual list-servs to stay involved! While you’re there be sure to register for the following events:

• Tuesday, May 1 – Marpole Stories @ Metro Theatre – vancouver.ca/marpoleplan
• Thursday, May 10 – West End Stories @ Denman Theatre – vancouver.ca/westendplan
• Friday, May 11 – Grandview-Woodland Stories @ the WISE Hall – vancouver.ca/grandviewplan
  

FEATURED EVENT

Saturday, May 5 – Sunday May 6 – Jane’s Walk

There are lots of ways that you can explore Vancouver’s great public spaces, but one of the best involves a leisurely stroll with a local expert. That’s what Jane’s Walk is all about.

Started in 2007 to honour the memory of Jane Jacobs, it’s now grown to a world-wide event. Vancouver alone has over 20 walks scheduled, spread throughout the city. Best of all, they’re free! Sign up and see your city in a whole new way.

:: Jane’s Walk – List of Vancouver Walking Tours

Vancouver City Hall – Photo by Ken Stewart

A full slate of meetings at City Council and the Park Board this week – with lots to keep public space aficionados busy.

In this edition:

• Parks – New Festival, Food Carts, User Fees and Park Naming
• Neighbourhood Planning – Grandview-Woodland, Marpole, West End, Downtown Eastside
• Elections & Finances – Eight Candidates in Trouble
• Riot Review and This Year’s Stanley Cup
• Rezonings – Marine Gateway, The Rize, 1^st & Victoria, Howe & Drake… and others

Parks Board – New Festival, Food Carts, User Fees and Park Naming

Monday starts with a Parks Board meeting that will consider, among other things, the possibility of a new Sarah McLaughlin led festival in Stanley Park called “Voices in the Park,” the expansion of the city’s food carts program (with new seasonal carts proposed for a number of parks), a report on user fees and charges (most fees will stay the same, but modest increases are proposed for VanDusen and a few other facilities), and a new policy for naming parks.

The naming policy calls for “more public engagement, more flexibility, and more efficiency” and proposes that park names be evaluated “by considering historical, cultural and geographic elements.”

Neighbourhood Planning – Grandview-Woodland, Marpole, West End, Downtown Eastside

The City is about to embark on four new neighbourhood planning exercises. In Marpole, Grandview-Woodland and the West End the new plans will replace older Local Area plans that date back to the 1970s and 80s. These plans will pull together an array of themes – housing, transportation, parks and public realm, heritage, culture, etc – taking city-wide policy and scaling it down to the neighbourhood level.

In the Downtown Eastside, the neighbourhood will be getting a comprehensive plan that looks at neighbourhood change, the social impact of development pressure and opportunity to improve the lives of residents in the area.

The four planning exercises are intended to be broadly collaborative in nature and will feature a number of opportunities for community participation. Reports on these respective planning processes are in front of Council this week in two separate meetings – with the DTES plan on Tuesday’s City Finance and Services agenda, and the other three neighbourhoods on deck at Wednesday’s Planning, Transportation and Environment meeting.

Elections & Finances – Eight Candidates in Trouble

All candidates who ran for Mayor, Council, Parks Board or School Board were required to file Campaign Finance statements by March 19. Not all of them did – and now stand to get dinged with a $500 fee unless they’re able to apply to the Supreme Court (!) for relief. Most of the eight that are named in the staff report ran as independents. One of them even won an election debate. The matter will be before Council on Tuesday.

Riot Review and This Year’s Stanley Cup

Later on Tuesday, at the City Finance and Services meeting, City Manager Penny Ballem will be giving a presentation on the Stanley Cup Riot Review, along with an overview of planning for this year’s possible playoff celebrations.

Rezonings – Marine Gateway, The Rize, 1^st & Victoria, Howe & Drake… and others

Monday sees the first of a number of rezoning discussions take place at City Council. Architect James Cheng’s Marine Landing proposal (Cambie and SW Marine) is third on the agenda. The proposal calls for a mixed-use development consisting of two towers (31 and 24 storeys respectively) containing market and rental housing, ground-level retail, and two at-grade artists studios. Public realm enhancement along Cambie is part of the discussion. Additional public benefits have been secured through Development Cost Levies ($2m) and for public art (approximately $700K), and further community amenity contribution (CAC) of $5m is included in the proposal.

Later in the week, on Thursday, an earlier public hearing is being reconvened to hear input on a number of items, including the proposed rezoning associated with The Rize development at Kingsway and Broadway. The speakers list for this one is l-o-o-n-g and the proposal has become something of a controversy in the neighbourhood. Read our earlier post on the subject for more details.

Two other rezoning-related items appear in the docket this week. At Tuesday’s regular Council meeting applications related to proposed developments at East 1^st & Victoria (supportive housing) and Howe & Drake (a 41-storey tower) will be considered. Council will be reviewing the proposals and deciding whether or not they should be referred to public hearing.

Get Involved

To find out how you can register to speak on any of these items, check out the City Clerk’s “Speaking to Council” webpage. If you want to present on a Park Board item be sure to visit the Board webpage for details.

This year’s PARK(ing) Day is a little over a week away! The plans for VPSN’s PARK(ing) spot are finalized and we promise you a very engaging, interactive, and entertaining one. It will be located on the 1200 block of Davie St., just off of Bute St. in Vancouver’s West End.

Of course, we always welcome enthusiastic volunteers who are interested in helping with the event. You can contact me at simon@vancouverpublicspace.ca for more info, or come to our next planning meeting on Wednesday Sept. 15th at Melriches Cafe (1244 Davie St.). Meeting starts at 6:30pm.

Speaking of parks, I was having lunch in Emery Barnes Park today on Davie and Seymour and watched a man set up his tent at the edge of the grass.

As he was inside it, a young man accidentally hit the tent with a soccer ball. The older man got out of his tent fuming while the young man apologized profusely. I say if you’re going to pitch a tent in a public park, be prepared to brave the elements.