ACTION: Help Ensure Equitable Access to Stanley Park for All
UPDATE (June 19, 2020)
The Vancouver Park Board unanimously passed a motion expressing its confidence and gratitude towards staff for their sustained prudence, foresight and efficiency throughout the current pandemic. They also passed a second motion directing staff to continue to pursue the reopening of Stanley Park as presented in the June 8 Board meeting. And that the detailed plan, shared at a June 18 Board Briefing, which is being developed in collaboration with park partners to ensure vehicle access to all park facilities, be implemented urgently. Any major delays/changes will be presented to the Board prior to implementation.
HUB Cycling supports this motion and looks forward to working with Park Board staff as a stakeholder in developing Stanley Park's future transportation plans.
Thank you for your support in ensuring that Park Board staff is working to create equitable and safe access to Stanley Park for all modes of transportation.
This letter-writing campaign is now closed.
Lisa Slakov
HUB Cycling, Vancouver Park Board Liaison
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A week ago five out of seven Park Board Commissioners voted in favour of sustainable and equitable access to Stanley Park by
- exploring the long term feasibility of reducing (not eliminating) motor vehicle traffic in Stanley Park, including but not restricted to, reducing roadways to single lanes while maintaining access to the park.
- consulting with park partners, stakeholders, and the community at large, including the Stanley Park Intergovernmental Working Group.
- exploring green transportation options, to and throughout the park, to support equitable access for all park users, including those with mobility challenges.
- noting that Park Board staff are currently preparing a temporary traffic management plan (in coordination with the City of Vancouver and provincial health authorities) for the summer of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two commissioners who voted “no” to the motion - John Coupar and Tricia Barker – are trying to upset the process and ignore that staff plan by getting cars fully back on those roads before this coming weekend.
This new motion will push people on bikes back on to the seawall paths, possibly revert the city's Beach Avenue changes, and reduce needed space for physical distancing for people walking and people on bikes.
Earlier today, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry warned British Columbians that “This pandemic is far from over, there continues to be no effective treatment, and the virus will continue in our communities for many months to come.” Dr. Henry added that the Stanley Park road closure is a really good thing and encourages active transit. "I personally would be in favour of keeping it that way and reducing the number of cars on our roads."
This motion is coming to Park Board commissioners at their Thursday, June 18th meeting.
You can add your voice by sending an email to our Park Board commissioners and your local MLA to let them know that this is unacceptable!
We encourage you to participate in the decision-making process by signing up to speak at the online Park Board meeting so that the supporters of unabated car traffic aren’t the only ones heard. You can sign up here to speak; the sooner you sign up, the earlier you are in the queue.
Thanks,
Lisa Slakov
HUB Cycling, Vancouver Park Board Liaison
Photo Credit: @MartynSchmoll