The Park Board is integral to becoming the greenest city in the world
FROM CREATING MORE inclusive community centres to developing great parks, public space is integral to making Vancouver the greenest city in the world by the year 2020.
I am running for the Vancouver park board with Vision Vancouver to participate in creating great public spaces for people, habitat, urban wildlife, and our pets. I want to serve as a Vancouver park board commissioner to ensure that the priorities of local government adequately address issues of sustainability and livability for residents and business in order to make our city better for everyone.
The park board oversees community centres, parks, and green spaces that are central to developing a happier and healthier city. Whether they are working towards making our community centres more inclusive and welcoming, or providing opportunities in our parks to experience nature, these spaces are important in making social connections.
These are places where we make friends, chat about with neighbours, and discuss issues.
These relationships and dialogues are critical to building a more inclusive, welcoming, and sustainable Vancouver.
I understand these issues both from personal experience and from my extensive history of activism in Vancouver. I am a past president of the West End Residents Association, past board member of the West End Community Centre, and vice chair of the Save St. Paul’s Coalition. As a volunteer activist, I have participated in the construction of community gardens, art projects, and celebrations, while advocating for active transportation infrastructure.
From my time serving as a director of the West End Community Centre, I know first-hand the investment that community centre volunteers make in their communities and the passion they have for their work. I have been proud to raise my children in Vancouver and I recognize the importance of community centres and services that they offer. I also fully appreciate the significance of shared responsibility and respect between the park board and community centre associations.
If elected as a park board commissioner, I will work with all community centre associations to create stronger, more collaborative relationships. The park board needs to continue to build on the success of the OneCard. With thousands of Vancouverites accessing recreation opportunities, the OneCard has further increased access and participation in fitness centres, skate rinks and pools.
By expanding public spaces, increasing access to recreation opportunities, and more, Mayor Gregor Robertson and the Vision team have provided strong and experienced leadership to keep Vancouver moving forward. As a longtime community advocate and volunteer, I have a great deal of enthusiasm and experience to bring to our park board. This November, I want to join the team to continue Vancouver’s environmental progress by maintaining, renewing and expanding our park and recreational system in our city.