Typically at this time of year the park board graciously offers up a controversial operating budget that allows me one, if not several, front-page stories.
This year? Not so much.
Its not like I was expecting any comment from the union representing park board workers that hasnt happened for several years but typically Im contacted by at least one or two disgruntled groups concerned about proposed cost-cutting moves included in a budget. Controversial recommendations from recent budgets include the closing of the Stanley Park petting zoo, the proposed closure of the Bloedel Conservatory and proposals to not only close washrooms in several parks, but also cut lifeguard services, a suggestion which outraged many Vancouverites.
On Tuesday, the city approved its 2013 operating budget, including the $57.6 million proposed by the park board. The park board held a special public meeting about the budget Thursday at 7 p.m., after the Couriers press deadline.
Meanwhile, here are some of the highlights.
I hope you like trees, because the push to add an additional 150,000 across the city as part of the 2020 Greenest Action Plan is in full swing. As Ive reported previously, the trees will be planted as part of a plan to make Vancouver the greenest city in the world within the next seven years. The budget recommends almost $584,000 be spent in 2013 to replace existing street trees, with the same amount earmarked for 2014 for a total of $1,166,667. But wait theres more. The budget for new street trees for the same time period equals $733,333.
The Kensington Community Hall will finally be replaced to the tune of $3.6 million, with $500,000 of that included in the 2013 budget. Almost $1 million will be dedicated to helping replace the domed roof at the Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park, while $670,000 will be spent over the next two years on the completion of an enhanced dog area at Andy Livingstone Park and dog off-leash planning, along with universal access enhancements in parks, including curb ramps and pathways in Falaise Park for veterans.
Finding a copy of the report or information about the special public meetings is as easy as visiting vancouver.ca and clicking on the Your Government link where under Vancouver Parks and Recreation youll find another link called Park Board Meetings and Decisions. You can then click on the link to Special Park Board Meetings, where you might expect to find the special park board meeting, but no go. Instead, try clicking on Regular Park Board Meetings. That will take you to a page that includes a link to the Dec. 13 special meeting. Click on that link and you can then click on another link to the report. Easy as pie.
sthomas@vancourier.com
Twitter: @sthomas10
