The spokesperson for the community advocacy group Friends of Hasting Park says it's vital the park board take control of the East Side park, which is home to the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), Empire Fields, Hastings Racecourse, the Sanctuary and several gardens.
"We truly believe the park board has a different mandate when it comes to what happens in the park than the PNE," said Linda Shuto.
Hastings Park is currently governed by the PNE's board of directors, which is chaired by Vision Vancouver city councilor Raymond Louie.
Hastings Park is at the start of a massive redevelopment project estimated to cost about $310.5 million. Some of the many projects included in the Hastings Park master plan include the expansion and greening of Playland, a new exhibition building, park upgrades and improved parking. A large part of the project includes creating more internal pedestrian pathways and connections to the surrounding community, including New Brighton Park. The master plan also includes 5.4 kilometres of pedestrian and cycling trails.
As part of the plan, city staff asked for public input into governance of the park, while recommending the PNE board retain control. A third option is to have a city department, such as engineering, manage the property. In response, Friends of Hastings Park, the Hastings Park Conservancy and Hastings Community Association made presentations to the park board Monday night.
At the meeting, Vision Vancouver park board vice-chair Aaron Jasper initially brought forward a motion asking city council that when considering governance for the park to place key importance on key areas.
They include increased access to green space and recreational use; transparency and accountability in decision making; compliance with city and park board initiatives such as the Urban Forest Management Plan and Vancouver Sports Strategy; and improved care and maintenance of all green spaces within Hastings Park. Following the group presentations, Shuto said Jasper amended his motion to recommend the park board commit to seeking control of Hastings Park.
Shuto said of concern to the community groups is that while the PNE has expertise in handling commercial venues and ventures, it does not have the ecological expertise the park board has when it comes to managing environmentally sensitive park land. Shuto said an example is that students from a neighbouring school don't feel welcome to visit the Sanctuary for class projects.
"PNE staff is very suspicious of any large groups," said Shuto.
The community groups also believe the PNE, as a tenant of the publicly owned property, should not, in turn, manage the site.
Jasper did not return a phone call from the Courier. In response to a media request to the park board for comment, the Courier was directed to contact PNE chair Coun. Louie.
Louie said how Hastings Park will be governed is a city decision.
"And maybe that will be the park board and maybe that will be the city," said Louie, who added an external consultant with governance expertise has been involved in the process.
Louie will not be disqualified from voting on the issue because according to the PNE Act and Vancouver Charter there is no legal conflict of interest. Louie added that as chair of the PNE board, he feels Hastings Park has been well taken care of. But Shuto begs to differ.
"The PNE isn't attached to an ecological society like the park board is," said Shuto. "And it doesn't offer programs or have the skills needed to manage this park."
PNE spokesperson Laura Balance said the debate is a city matter so no one from the organization would be commenting. (Scan page with Layar for a link to the park's master plan.)
