While Vision Vancouver park board chair Sarah Blyth is a big fan of the fictional character Ron Swanson from the NBC comedy series Parks and Recreation, she says she doesn’t take any of his “Ronisms” to heart in making decisions.
Swanson, played by actor Nick Offerman, is popular for his no-nonsense advice, love of meat and woodworking, fear of government and loathing of Canada. So it’s no surprise that Offerman’s first book is an ode to Swanson. Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man’s Fundamentals for Delicious Living was recently released to rave reviews and the reason Offerman was in Vancouver Sunday signing copies of the book at Chapters on Robson Street.
Blyth took that opportunity to surprise Offerman with an official Vancouver Park Board hoodie while her son presented him with a cedar carving from a Downtown Eastside artist.
Blyth says Offerman asked her son what kind of cedar the carving was made from.
“And he knew,” says Blyth of her son.
She also explained to a confused Offerman what an elected park board official does in real life. Offerman must have been impressed because following his lengthy book-signing event, the author donned the park board hoodie and, holding the carving front and centre, had bookstore staff take a picture to forward to Blyth and son.
“When I presented him with the sweatshirt from all of us at the park board, the people in the crowd knew how special that was,” said Blyth. “I also asked him about his thoughts on Canada and he said he actually really likes Canada. It’s Ron Swanson who doesn’t.”
Blyth wants to convince the producers of Parks and Recreation to shoot an episode in Vancouver, possibly based on a true story.
When I suggested the kerfuffle surrounding the Kitsilano and Hadden Beach parks bike path might make for good TV fodder, Blyth reminded me there are many good stories to choose from.
I’m a big fan of the series so thought I’d make Blyth’s invitation official in this column.
Veto finito
And speaking of that bike path, a motion brought forward by NPA commissioners John Coupar and Melissa De Genova Monday night was voted down by the Vision Vancouver majority on the board.
The motion included several arguments about why the process leading up to the approval of the $2.2 million, 12-foot wide path was flawed. The NPA commissioners questioned the public consultation regarding the project as have hundreds of other residents and park users.
Vision Vancouver commissioner Constance Barnes says the motion was rejected because the majority of its demands, such as consulting with more groups and creating an advisory committee, have already been done.
“We thought it was redundant,” says Barnes. “They also wanted the committee to have veto power over decisions made by staff and the board and that’s not how things are done.”
Barnes adds the park board is anxious to work with the committee and come up with a solution that will appease most users.
