Feb 7, 2024: Hill Crest Riley Park Community Centre
Preservation Conversation on the Dissolution of the Park Board.
- Date: Monday, February 12, 2024
- Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
- Location: Gym, Hillcrest Community Centre, 2475 Clancy Loranger Way, Vancouver, British Columbia
This event is sponsored by the Riley Park Hillcrest Community Centre Association. It aims to address the importance of the Democratically-Elected Park Board. During the town hall discussion, former and current Park Board commissioners will share their insights, and there will be a Q & A session on the issue. Following the event, there will be a call to action encouraging attendees to write to Premier Eby.
It’s an excellent opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about the future of Vancouver’s parks and community spaces.
Feb 3, 2024: Over 100 Attend City Hall Meeting.
Over 100 participants criticized Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim’s proposal to eliminate the elected park board during a town hall meeting on Friday. The absence of both Sim and his ABC Vancouver party councillors, who maintain the majority, was conspicuous. The opposition, spearheaded by Green Party councillors and OneCity’s Christine Boyle, underscored the significance of preserving the elected board.
Sim advocated for the elimination, citing concerns such as a leaky pool and jurisdictional disputes, asserting potential savings in the “millions.” However, critics cast doubt on the purported savings and stressed the city’s ownership of the assets. They also highlighted that, under existing operating agreements, the responsibility for repairs lies with the city rather than the Park Board.
Public Meeting on Future of the Park Board.
On February 1, 2024 (this Thursday), Vancouver city councillors Adriane Carr, Christine Boyle, and Pete Fry will host a town-hall meeting at the 1st Floor Joe Wai Room in City Hall from 3 to 6 p.m. The focus will be on Sim’s proposal to eliminate the Park Board, with these councillors advocating for its retention. Registration is required, and the meeting will gather opinions on the Mayor’s move to eliminate the elected Park Board. It will also address questions about the future of parks and recreation facilities in Vancouver. The hosts encourage public input and have invited both current and past Park Board Commissioners to attend and provide insights. Please register to attend (link)
Dec 2023. Ken Sim, Vancouvers Mayor, to Dissolve Park Board
According to a CBC News article1, Vancouver City Council has passed a motion that formally asks the province to dissolve the city’s elected park board and shift its responsibilities to council. The mayor of Vancouver, Ken Sim, has unveiled a working group to oversee the dismantling of the Vancouver Park Board. However, the province and First Nations still need to approve the abolishment of the board. If the city is allowed to move forward with its plan, the board would cease to exist as an independent body and would instead report to city council2. The City of Vancouver has created a group to spearhead and oversee its hopeful dissolution of the Vancouver Park Board. The working group members include Vancouver City Manager Paul Mochrie, Park Board General Manager Steve Jackson, Deputy City Manager Sandra Singh, Chief of Staff Trevor Ford, couns. Sarah Kirby-Yung and Rebecca Bligh, and Park Board Commissioner Marie-Claire Howard2. The motion was passed in December 2023, and the city is still waiting for legislative changes to the Vancouver Charter to happen, which the province would be required to approve3. The motion has been controversial, with opponents saying it is undemocratic and could leave public green spaces vulnerable4.