[van-announce] SATURDAY NOV 27, STAND FOR HASTINGS PARK

[paul lavallee]

This year the vancouver city council postponed the "master plan" that
was developed for hastings park (pne grounds) until 2021. This plan had
been developed with the community, unions, business, the city and other
interests. It was a plan to expand the greening of the park. in it's
place they introduced a business plan that will see 80% of the park
commercialized. This includes doubling playland and the addition of a
155,000 sq ft convention centre. no other park in vancouver comes close
to this kind of commercialization. The closet is kitsilano beach which
is 3.7% commercial.

In august of this year a community resistance to the new plan began with
6 people standing in front of the park. A couple weeks ago on a saturday
there were more than 60 people there.

With many volunteers we leafleted door to door in the community which
culminated in a meeting on nov 17th at the rec centre. No politicians
were invited because this was to be our meeting to decide what we were
going to do next. Also the city council is to vote on the new plan on
december 2nd. There were 200 or more neighbourhood residents who showed
up. We passed motions to be presented to council with a green plan of
our own based on on the previous master plan goals. We want a farmer's
market, an art's and culture centre, a library, an area for kids to
interact with nature. In the past we have succeeded in creating a
sanctuary which now has around 100 different species of birds. We want
this expanded. There is a natural stream that runs from the park to the
ocean that is covered over with asphalt. We want this opened. A motion
came from the floor that said we would work to defeat any council member
that voted for the business plan. 

So now we look to bring pressure on the council. On nov 27 we gather at
city hall. We write to council members, letters to the editor, we get on
the speakers list at the council meeting and we show up on mass at the
dec 2nd council meeting. All this from people concerned about their
community. No political affiliations, No secret agendas. Organized in an
informal and rag tag way. PLEASE JOIN US!

THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 11:00 to 12:00 
Will the Real, Green, Gregor Robertson Stand with us?

Please make every attempt to come to this Stand For Hastings Park.

Pick up your Gregor Robertson Mask at the Stand!

http://friendsofhastingspark.wordpress.com/