What will $10 million get you? Try 40,000 to 50,000 trees along streets and on private lands, new or enhancements of natural features and the addition of 10 new or expanded community gardens.
The trees and gardens are one of the highlights in the proposed $155-million capital plan for parks, open spaces and recreation for 2015 to 2018, which will be included on the ballot of the November municipal election.
The plan is the result of a two-phase public consultation launched in May and included in an online call for proposals for capital funding ideas as well as regular feedback on services and facilities. During the consultation, a survey showed Vancouver’s seawall, trails and natural areas are considered “core civic assets that people care deeply about.” That same survey showed that despite an increase in pools and rinks over the past decade, some residents believe there’s more work to be done to aging facilities.
Some of the capital funding ideas submitted to the park board include renovations to address seismic concerns, playground upgrades, additional off-leash dog parks and another outdoor pool.
Vision Vancouver park board chair Aaron Jasper said that outdoor pool will not be at Mount Pleasant Park. Members of that community have been fighting for a new outdoor pool since the original was removed in 2009 as part of that park’s redesign.
“We are not against outdoor pools,” said Jasper, who is not running for re-election. “But it needs to be tied to an existing pool so they can share the change rooms, cashiers, pumps, etc. The renewal of Britannia [community centre] is an opportunity to add an outdoor section there.”
Projects completed in the 2012 to 2014 capital plan include the new roof of the Bloedel Conservatory, Creekway Park, upgraded tennis courts at Kits Beach and the Jericho Park restoration.
“The Jericho Wharf is an example of the park board’s emphasis on natural spaces and habitat restoration,” said Jasper.
Some multi-year projects still underway include Empire Fields and Plateau Park, the False Creek Paddling Centre, Killarney Seniors Centre and the Mount Pleasant skateboard park.
Jasper said he’s proud of the park board’s ongoing commitment to the Local Food Assets Plan, which offers opportunities for the park board and residents to grow more fruits and vegetables.
“There will be more community gardens and improvements to our farmers markets,” said Jasper. “Our urban orchards will also increase.”
The proposed capital plan also includes $22.7 million dedicated to continued investment in sports fields, pathways, playgrounds, plazas and other activity-focussed infrastructure, including the replacement of synthetic turf at Hamber and Point Grey schools, safety improvements to the cycling and pedestrian pathways through Stanley Park, pond renewal at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden and a city-wide dog off-leash area study and implementation. Jasper said there’s an increased need for off-leash dog areas, but added the system used today needs to change.
“It’s clear that staggering the hours of off-leash times doesn’t work,” said Jasper. “Staff is committed to an exhaustive consultation process to identify where the gaps are so they can create areas across the city and owners can stay in their own neighbourhoods instead of driving their car to Trout Lake.”
Jasper said divided off-leash areas are the way to go and he pointed to the success of Nelson Park as proof. He said once the capital plan is approved, the park board will have to rank where these new separated off-leash areas will go.
“With an increasing number of condos and apartments, there’s a higher demand on green space,” said Jasper. “But we need everyone to feel safe because not everyone wants to be around dogs. Nelson Park has struck the right balance for its size.”
The park board is also committing $37.5 million towards new parks and renewals, $9 million for maintenance and repair of the seawall and waterfront improvements, including to public docks and ramps, $11.8 million for park infrastructure and buildings, and $5 million for public art. The capital plan report noted the city’s public art program was recently restructured to increase revenues and partnership opportunities.
Another $44.5 million has been dedicated to recreation facilities, including the first phase of the renewal and expansion of the Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre.
Meanwhile, the Britannia Community Centre has been identified as in need of renewal and is considered a key priority, though the project is so massive it will likely span two to three future capital plans. Another $13.8 million will help fund the ongoing Hastings Park and PNE master plan, including the extension of a daylighted stream, additional park greening projects, phase two of the livestock building, the first phase of renewal of the Playland amusement park and upgrades to the outdoor amphitheatre. To see a complete copy of the proposed capital plan report, visit vancouver.ca.
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