The City of Vancouver has finally responded to the many emails and phone calls made on behalf of this project. Their answer is a simple rejection of project. Please see the email string attached.

This update is a call to action, we need your support in the form of a email.

Please send an email to the following COV representatives

Donnie.Rosa@vancouver.ca

Lisa.Dominato@vancouver.ca

Kennedy.Stewart@vancouver.ca

 

Ensure maximum impact with the COV, please consider the following.

 

1. Confirm what area of Vancouver you live

2. Confirm your personal interactions with kids affect by the Covid restrictions. 

3. Consider that current public parks are toddler and child centric - missing park elements for kids that are 8+

4. Support for more bike centric park installations in our community

 

After you've sent your email please feel free to join the Grays Bike Park on Facebook.

 

EMAIL STRING BELOW:

 

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Rosa, Donnie <Donnie.Rosa@vancouver.ca>
Date: Mon, Jun 7, 2021 at 4:12 PM
Subject: RE: Grays Park - East Vancouver
To: fabywoods@gmail.com <fabywoods@gmail.com>

 

Hi Michelle,

 

Thank you for reaching out. 

 

I understand my folks in the Planning and Park Development department have provided you with an overview of the process for new initiatives to be added to our capital plan. As they have outlined, the bike track you are proposing can be explored as part of potential park planning and redevelopment in the 2023-2026 capital plan. These discussions will kick off in early 2022.

 

While we understand your desire to have a bike track constructed outside of the standard planning process, we must be mindful of the other capital projects that have already been approved. It would be unfair for us to delay or pause those projects (in those communities) in favour of moving this one forward, especially without full community engagement, which is our practice. 

 

Our operations folks are reporting that makeshift bike tracks are still being set up at Grays and Queen Elizabeth Parks, and this really needs to stop. These activities are unsanctioned, and are in contravention with the Parks Control Bylaw. It is unsafe to remove existing railings, dig up landscaped areas, build ramps, or create landing spots near walking pathways and parking lots. These actions put children at risk, as well as other park users. 

 

At this time, there are local bike track locations at Vanier Park and the PNE, available for anyone (of all skill levels) to use.

 

Should you wish to put forward this project for the 2023-2026 capital plan, our planning team can reach out to you in early 2022 to navigate that process.

 

Regards,

 

Donnie

 

Donnie Rosa | General Manager

Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation

2099 Beach Avenue, Vancouver | 604.257.8448

pronouns: she/they

 

 

 

I live and work on the unceded, ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples.

 

From: Michelle Woods <fabywoods@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, May 28, 2021 7:16 AM
To: Rosa, Donnie <Donnie.Rosa@vancouver.ca>
Cc: Bradbury, Wanda <Wanda.Bradbury@vancouver.ca>; Dominato, Lisa <Lisa.Dominato@vancouver.ca>; Stewart, Kennedy <Kennedy.Stewart@vancouver.ca>
Subject: [EXT] Re: [EXT] Re: [EXT] Grays Park - East Vancouver

 

Hi Donnie, it has been a week and I have not heard from you or anyone on your team. Interestingly CBC had the time to reach out and do a quick phone interview and air it several times on Wednesday.
 
I would like to think that you are interested in the youth of the city and allowing them to have fun healthy free activities in the city parks. Queen Elizabeth park was a source of fun and learning for a good number of youth. You have allowed that to be banned. If you take it away, what are you giving them? 
 
I will post your reply or lack of one in our community Facebook group. They are all waiting to hear from you. As well as the CBC reporters who have been reaching out and want a real answer.
 
Thank you,
Michelle Woods
604 339 8271
 

 

On Fri, May 21, 2021 at 5:25 PM, Michelle Woods <fabywoods@gmail.com> wrote:
Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you as well as those who are making decisions that impact our kids, without consulting them or getting their point of view.

 
These kids have good ideas that don't cost much. I think the VPB has big plans but some advice from the youth will save the VPB money. In the meantime they need to have something to do.
 
Michelle
 

 

On Fri, May 21, 2021 at 5:16 PM Rosa, Donnie <Donnie.Rosa@vancouver.ca> wrote:
Apologies Michelle, I am catching up on emails. I have been tied up with a fairly significant file, however am now able to focus on this. I did reach out to my team, and will follow up asking them to reach out to you. 

 
Thank you 

Donnie

she/they
 

 

On May 21, 2021, at 4:59 PM, Michelle Woods <fabywoods@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Lisa, thank you for speaking to Donnie, to date I have not heard from her about Grays Park. 
 
This week her team put up fences, signs and blocks at Queen Elizabeth Park to stop kids from mountain biking in an area that was previously not used. Now a large community of Vancouver has nowhere to safely ride and have fun.
 
These are young teens outside keeping busy doing healthy activities together. They comment to me about the people drinking alcohol in the park. They comment to me about the people that are hanging out and are on drugs. They believe those activities are illegal but notice that nothing is being done about it.   
 
I would like to remind you of the boy that was murdered a month or so ago. My boys went to elementary school with Rémy. My boys did not follow Remy’s path. They are keeping busy and not getting involved with the wrong crowd. Generally kids that are busy doing good things are not approached by gang members and drug dealers. Sadly, yesterday another young teen was murdered. At what point will the City acknowledge the youth and support them?
 
I would like to believe that all of us parents and members of the community want a safe city that considers the needs of the youth. In 2021, bike parks, mountain biking and any sort of bike challenge is what the kids want. 
 
Is it possible to change our thinking from controlling and oppressive to encouraging these kids to continue to love their city and use the beautiful spaces in a way that fills their needs? They are the future of the city. We do not need more gang members, we need more proactive members of society. Please work with them and listen to what they want. The VPB has prevented a fairly large group of kids from enjoying their spot at QE Park. What would you like them to do this wkd? Hang out and be approached by dealers? Ride in back alleys on homemade jumps and dodge cars? Take up a new hobby like trying smoking or vaping because they are bored? 
 
I think you need to consider the impact your decisions make on these kids and the future of this city. I am very disappointed in Donnie’s lack of interest in the people who use the parks and the lack of support from the local government. 
 
Your group response is awaited.
 
Thank you,
Michelle Woods
 
 

On Wed, May 12, 2021 at 7:34 AM, Dominato, Lisa <Lisa.Dominato@vancouver.ca> wrote:
Hi Michelle,

 
Thanks for reaching out. I’m sorry to hear this is happening as outdoor activities are critical to kids wellbeing, even more so now in this time of COVID.
 
I’ve personally reached our to our General Manager of Park Board, Donnie Rosa, and she has indicated she will look into the matter. I’ll also contact some of our Park Board Commissioners regarding this situation.
 
I’ll be in touch when I have more information.
 

Sincerely, 
 
Lisa Dominato, Councillor 
City of Vancouver
M: 604-754-7290 
 
Sent from my iPhone
 

On May 11, 2021, at 1:51 PM, Michelle Woods <fabywoods@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Lisa,

 
I am writing to you about our community struggle at Grays Park. I know you are aware of the issues as you kindly asked the City Manager to work with us to come up with a temporary solution. You stated that "it would be a nice gesture to work with the kids who developed the bike rack to sanction something temporary."
 
Unfortunately your words of wisdom had no effect. The Ops dept comes by every morning and flattens the track that the kids built the day before. Yesterday they told my husband and another dad that the next step is to put manure all over the area to stop the kids. Wow, how cruel.
 
In areas outside of Vancouver, cities encourage risky play by building adventure parks. Our kids are leaders, they are starting an adventure bike concept.
 
These kids are busy, active and having fun. They are not vaping, hanging out and a target for roaming drug dealers, involved in gangs or doing any other kind of unhealthy things that some young teens can do in a city. I and our community believe that these kids should be encouraged to keep busy doing a healthy activity.
 
And yet, the police were called one evening. The police had to ask them to stop their work and to flatten the track. They asked the kids why they didn't go to a bike park - "there isn't one close by and the one we have in Vancouver is closed until the end of April". The police just said "oh". What else can they say? how ridiculous to bother these kids when the City can not provide a solution to this very simple problem.
 
You may be aware of the work of Mariana Brussoni a researcher at UBC spearheading risky play initiatives. Research has shown that kids who are allowed to do things without adult supervision develop confidence, independence and learn to respect dangerous situations because they are able to confront them. It develops skills and qualities that enables them to become strong contributors to society.
 
Our change.org [change.org] petition has over 330 signatures, we have 59 members on our Grays bike park facebook group. We have a committed community who is frustrated with the lack of response from the VPB. This year with the VPB under new leadership we have had no response except comments from the Ops people about stopping the construction of the track and telling us to contact Donnie Rosa. So far she has not responded even though her PA told me they would respond.
 
Pinkbike and CBC have shared our story. Let's do something to show that the VPB does listen, is willing to compromise and they do care about the kids in the City and the parents who are the taxpayers.
 
Bottom line: what do we want? some dirt, a big old tire or two for them to jump over, some treated cedar for them to build a skinny line and some shovels, with a sign that says "enjoy at your own risk". We do not need or want a multi million dollar paved pump track. That is a waste of money and our kids say it gets boring very quickly.
 
Here are a few comments posted on our FB group:
 
I can say that the grays park biking has changed my kids lives. It is the focus of my son’s free time and is really building his confidence.
 
... is a divide where families with resources can drive to Burnaby, Richmond or the North Shore. Those without have frustrated kids with time on their hands.
 
Plus the Vancouver Parks Board is so archaic. Continuing to build for toddlers and older folks, but not pre-teens and teens.
 
Thank you in advance for helping us. Please feel free to call or reply by email.
 
Michelle Woods
604 339 8271
 
Pink Bike coverage: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/east-vancouver-kids-rebel-by-building-jumps.html [pinkbike.com]
CBC Coverage: https://www.instagram.com/p/COeKGDKlPn7/ [instagram.com]