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

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.

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!

Dear Sir &/or Madam:
We have received a Development Application from Musson Cattell Mackey regarding the above-noted address. Please see the attached notification letter that was sent to neighbours recently for details regarding this project.

As well, please forward this email to anyone in your Association that would be interested in seeing this letter.

Please contact Joe Bosnjak, Project Coordinator, directly if you have any questions or comments. (joe.bosnjak@vancouver.ca or 604.873.7755)

City of Vancouver
Development Services
453 W 12th Ave
Vancouver, BC V5Y 1V4