Mayor Robertson has created a Mayor’s West End Advisory Committee to help gather input on community priorities in the West End. Comprised of Mayor Robertson, Councillor Andrea Reimer, Councillor Tim Stevenson, and 12 residents of the West End, the Committee will consult and engage with the community to develop a list of community priorities, as well as provide advice on how the City can best engage and inform the West End on issues.

We want to have a committee that is representative of the unique demographics of the West End. If you or someone you know is interested in applying, please visitonline application form to read more and apply online. The deadline for applications is September 10, 2010.

19 July 2010

Commissioner Aaron Jasper, Chair,
and Commissioners
Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation,
2099 Beach Avenue
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6G 1Z4

Dear Mr. Jasper:

The West End Residents Association (WERA) is concerned that there is no plan to replace the washrooms in Nelson Park that were demolished in the redevelopment of the park.

WERA wrote a letter to City of Vancouver’s Engineering Department in the spring of 2007 to inquire if the park could be allocated one of the washrooms that were negotiated as a community amenity from CBS/ Decaux in the City’s Street Furniture Program. Mr. Tom Timm, General Manager of Engineering Services, informed WERA that these facilities are to improve amenities for the city and are not intended to replace existing facilities.

In a letter sent to Mr. Jim Lowden on 0ctober 10, 2007, WERA again expressed its concern about the lack of plans to replace the loss of public amenities in Nelson Park. The removal of these washrooms seriously impacts the quality of the public space in the West End. In response to WERA’s letter, Kate Davis-Johnson, Manager of Park Development, stated that a “…request for a washroom facility at Nelson park will be considered in the 2009-2011…”

In a letter dated March 6, 2008, WERA wrote then Chair of the Board Korina Houghton expressing the need for a washroom in Nelson Park and requested that replacement of the washroom be considered for the 2009-11 capital plan.

Now, it is the summer of 2010 and still the residents of the West End still have no washroom in Nelson Park.

As you know, the redevelopment of Nelson Park has brought an influx of new users to the park.
On Saturdays in the summer a Farmers Market locates right beside the Park, drawing hundreds of shoppers and vendors. Dog owner use the innovative enclosed dog run. Gardeners have added colour and vibrancy to the park in the new community gardens. Children use the playground equipment while adults converse on the benches or sunbathe on the grass. The park is constantly alive with activity. But there is no public washroom for park users.

The West End needs a washroom in Nelson Park. Currently, vendors at the farmers market — who are there from early in the morning until late in the afternoon — have to use a washroom located a block away, provided by courtesy of the Mole Hill Community Housing Society. As these vendors deal with food products, a washroom is essential. Should Mole Hill tire of the security and maintenance issues resulting from providing washroom facilities to the Farmers’ Market, the market might well have to relocate. Homeless and other marginalized people who have nowhere to go but the park also need a washroom. And park neighbours, who find their yards and laneways used as improvised toilets, would also benefit from a washroom in Nelson Park.

It is three years since Nelson Park was redeveloped. The West End needs washroom facilities in its park. WERA respectful request that replacing the washroom in Nelson Park be made a priority.

Brent Granby

President, West End Residents Association
brentgranby@mac.com
c 604 716 2824

WERA gives FREE potties to area toddlers

Saturday July 17, 2010

11 am

Nelson Park

The redevelopment of Nelson Park was completed in 2007. The completion of the park was the result of a three-year process involving individuals and groups from the West End community who met regularly to assist in shaping a new vision of the park. The West End Residents Association (WERA) participated in this process.

WERA is excited about the renewal and the significant improvements to the public realm such as the new enclosed dog run, community garden, playground equipment, open spaces and water features. However, WERA, and other participants in the process, were disappointed about the destruction of the field house and the public washrooms housed in that building. The public washroom is a vital component of the public realm of the West End and it desperately needs to be replaced.

Thanks to the redevelopment, Nelson Park is again becoming a well-used public amenity. On any day of the week, there are people sitting, strolling, chatting, playing with their dogs in the dog run, gardening, or taking their children to the playground. And on Saturdays in the Summer the park really comes alive thanks to the West End Farmers Market. Unfortunately none of the park users — dog owners, parents, children, sunbathers, market vendors and customers — have access to a washroom.

Therefore, WERA is sending out a call to action to parents and other users of the park. Nelson Park needs a public washroom!

On Saturday, July 17th at 11:00am, WERA will kick start the action by giving out free potties to toddlers in Nelson Park and leaving some potties in the park for the use of children while in the park. Please come out to the park and support WERA’s call to action!

Because when you have to go….you have to go!

Hi Everyone again

We were unable to get all our ducks in a row for this saturday (tomorrow) so we are going to have to postpone , possibly for up to a week while things get sorted out. I will mail out again early next week with a new schedule for excavation and installation. If any of you are more suited to helping out on a weeknight for a few hours, Please let me know, as there are several steps to do on this path to a new patio. At this

Apologies, GLen

Glen Andersen and Mosaic Planet
glenandersen@mac.com
604 710 7421
www.mosaicplanet.net

July 8, 2010

Mayor Robertson and City Councillors
City of Vancouver

Dear Mayor Robertson and Councillors:

Re: Motion B.4 – Mayor’s West End Community Advisory Committee

WERA is writing to express its support for the West End Advisory Committee. As you may already be aware, WERA has held a number of community forums on visioning and other matters related to housing, development, affordability and livability.

From our consultations with West End residents it has become apparent that there is a real concern with what many termed “Yaletown creep”. Most residents feel the diversity of and human scale of the built forms in the West End contribute significantly to the overall livability of the neighbourhood. An increase in high-rise developments would add to the “fortress” feeling often used to describe Yaletown.

Furthermore, many residents are concerned that the development of new high-rises would result in the loss of housing affordability. Rising rents in the neighbourhood pose a real threat to the population diversity which is identified as a strong community value. Many residents raised concerns that increased density may not include provisions for affordability.

We would appreciate receiving further information on how this committee will work and in what capacity it will advise the Mayor. We are pleased to see the members appointed will represent a diversity of interests and needs in the community.

We hope this new committee will serve to have a closer connection to the community and improve neighbourhood consultation with respect to future development proposals in the West End.

Sincerely,

Brent Granby,
President
WERA

image by Shannon Kavanaugh from Community Studio.

Green Way Project ready to start this Saturday July 10 at 10 am.

Behind King George Secondary School and the West End Community Centre, a concrete pedestrian walkway runs between a sports field and tennis courts. The athletic spaces are used daily, and the walkway is well-trodden. Right now, the walkway is a corridor bordered by scrawny grass.

Volunteer for this grass roots community project to transform this tied missed used space into a beautiful community art project. Transform public space and yourself, make friends have fun.

Contact: Glen Andersen and Mosaic Planet
glenandersen@mac.com
604 710 7421

Message from the Artist of the Project Glen Andersen: continue reading…

What makes the West End Great? report
What makes the West End Great? report with photos

On May 29, 2010 the West End Residents Association (WERA) hosted a community forum entitled “Planning for Change: What makes the West End Great”. The intent of the forum was to facilitate a respectful, informed public dialogue about the relationships between built forms and livability in the West End.

WERA hired a facilitator to generate a written report from this forum.

Vancouver’s challenge to become the “greenest city” is one that begs a response from the architectural, design, development and planning industry. It is clear that the built form will play an important aspect of how the City will achieve that goal.

WERA feels the West End is a model Vancouver neighbourhood. When our high density neighbourhood is combined with high quality living it can lead to an ecologically sustainable future, but there are still challenges to be met as evidenced by this forum. The presentations and discussions captured in the report illustrate the elements of high quality living in a dense neighbourhood.

By engaging residents in education and discussions about built form, WERA continues to involve ordinary citizens in shaping the future of their City. We offer this report to you for your consideration as you work towards creating an affordable, sustainable and livable City.