Feb 6, 2024: Park commissioners unlock $20K to fight Vancouver mayor’s move to abolish board
Vancouver park commissioners voted 4-3 Monday night to unlock $20,000 to seek independent legal advice on whether the board would be successful in quashing Mayor Ken Sim’s move to abolish the elected body.
The motion introduced by the Green Party’s Tom Digby was in response to Sim’s announcement in December 2023 that he was beginning the process to abolish the board and bring parks and recreation under the control of city council.
Feb 4, 2024: Could the fight over the Vancouver Park Board end up in court?
Commissioner Tom Digby, in a motion coming to Monday’s meeting, is asking for $20,000 to retain and consult legal counsel about the possibility of petitioning for a judicial review of a motion passed by city council in December of last year that laid the groundwork for a plan to abolish the elected board.
Feb 3, 2024. Vancouver mayor’s plan to abolish park board slammed at town hall
More than 100 people showed up at a town hall meeting Thursday at Vancouver city hall where all but one of the speakers slammed the mayor’s plan to abolish the elected park board.
But Ken Sim was not there to hear the criticism, nor were any councillors from his ABC Vancouver party, which holds the majority on council and are working to bring parks and recreation under control of council.
Jan 26 2024: What Vancouver’s city manager is saying about abolition of elected park board
Vancouver city manager Paul Mochrie spoke to media Thursday for the first time since Mayor Ken Sim announced in December 2023 that he wanted to abolish the seven-member elected park board.
Mochrie attended a news conference at city hall with Sim and members of the “transition working group” where he outlined what city staff is doing to address the conditions required for the requested governance change to bring parks and recreation under the control of city council.
Jan 29, 2024 Vancouver Greens want legal challenge of ABC Vancouver push to kill park board.
Vancouver park board commissioner Tom Digby will present a motion next Monday asking that a legal team be hired to challenge Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim’s plan to kill the board.
Jan 19, 2024. Brian Minter: Vancouver parks need dedicated people and public input to ensure their long-term viability
Opinion: The importance of green spaces and the proven benefits to our health and wellness are well-documented, and the need continues to grow.
Dec 15, 2023 Three host First Nations could have major say in potential Park Board transition
As Ken Sim and his ABC majority on Vancouver City Council push ahead with their plan to dissolve Vancouver’s elected Park Board — they’ll need the green light from the province and the premier has signalled they won’t get that without extensive consultation with local First Nations.
Oct 16 2023 Langara Golf Course sets a new standard for playability
The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation proudly announces the successful completion of a transformative drainage project at Langara Golf Course. With the installation of 83,000 meters of drainage pipe, golf enthusiasts can now enjoy enhanced playing conditions throughout the year, solidifying BC’s oldest public golf course as the driest golf course in the Lower Mainland.
Public Golf Courses: Are They Future Park Land Banks?
In the 21st century question the use of golf courses in public ownership. In 2018 Vancouver’s three public golf courses brought in ten million dollars in revenue annually, with the Langara Golf course the weakest “link” at bringing in 25 percent of that revenue. Sandy James Planner
“The Role of Golf Courses in Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management”
It’s time to pause and reevaluate some perceptions of golf courses. With its emphasis on exercise and sociability, golf attracts an especially diverse population, highly representative of Vancouver residents as a whole. Golf courses are city gems that offer sizeable open spaces and naturalized areas that are important to the sustenance of the city’s urban forest and wildlife. All Park Board golf courses are Audubon certified. This co-operative sanctuary program helps the golf course staff protect the environment.
“Urban golf courses are biodiversity oases. Opening them up puts that at risk”
A growing realization that golf courses provide biodiversity oases in cities is causing municipalities to reconsider repurposing the land for other uses.
The Golf Course Scorecard
The Back Nine
How Well Did They Shoot – Park Board Commissioners Golf Score Card
The Front Nine
August 27, 2022
THE GOLF SCORE CARD (Courtesy of British Columbia Golf)
April 22, 2022: Golf fitness in the walk
Carrying clubs uses only about 93 more calories than using a cart, though it may feel like more
April 2, 2022: BC Golf Receives Inaugural Delivering on Diversity Award
On May 10, 2021 — British Columbia Golf was recognized for their strides towards lowering barriers and enhancing accessibility for golfers across the province.
April 2, 2022: Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses
In 2003 & 2004 McCleery, Langara and Fraserview Golf Courses were designated as Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries. The first courses in Canada to receive this prestigious designation.
Oct 14, 2021: ‘Abolish park board’: Ken Sim makes first campaign pledge of 2022 election