Do you ever smile at the notion of streets being named after hopes and aspirations as opposed to long-dead public figures, politicians, provinces, trees and things like... well... simple numbers? I do; every time I pass by Long Life Place just West of Cambie where it intersects with 10th Ave.
I've wondered for a while how it came to be named this, and recently consulted the Vancouver Historical Society's FREE DOWNLOAD of their book, "Street Names of Vancouver". It tells me:
"LONG LIFE PLACE. Private thoroughfare between Cambie and Ash Streets and south of West 10th Avenue. Plan L F 11550 approved 6 July 1993."
Which is to say, it didn't tell me as much as I wanted to know. HOWEVER, it did tell me that it's a "private thoroughfare" and if you look at the map below you'll note that it's in very close proximity to the BC Cancer Agency as well as the BC Centre for Disease Control. Putting those pieces of the puzzle together I'm left to deduce that the housing on this street is perhaps a recovery place for cancer patients... but that is a guess at best. Can you personally offer more insight on this? Leave a comment!
Also related to this story is the City of Vancouver's latest initiative where they're opening up the naming of streets to YOU. Click HERE to learn how you can suggest a name for a City-owned asset like a street, a plaza or even a bridge.
