There is a tremendous attachment to our local “community backyard” here in Olympic Village. This small green space located next to a purposefully built waterway of plant, sea and bird life, and overlooking Habitat Island, is where our neighbours picnic, practice yoga, hold children’s soccer camps and participate in a variety of other outdoor activities. Our “backyard” plays a vital role in the well-being of families and community seniors who benefit from it. The need for green space has never been more evident than during the pandemic, but is not an isolated need as citizens move forward in embracing a more healthy and active lifestyle post-pandemic. In the words of Dr. Bonnie Henry “outdoor is better than indoor”.

While we are fully supportive and understand the desperate need for a new school and daycare in Olympic Village, we believe the proposed location of Hinge Park is not optimal from either a city planning or a local community perspective. We propose there are far more suitable and appropriate locations than the small waterfront green space our local community of all ages and walks of life enjoys every day - and have enjoyed for the past 10 years.

There are several other possible locations the City & Province could consider that would still allow everyone’s enjoyment of the park, the seawall and the views of the water and open skies, including children. One such location might be just west of Hinge Park with an entrance off 1st Avenue. A school does not require a waterfront location and there is plenty of undeveloped land in South False Creek on which the school can be housed and purposely built.

The safety of the children and other pedestrians is another genuine concern. Increased traffic congestion and traffic flow along this small corridor of Columbia Street & Walter Hardwick Avenue, is a very likely hazard and danger. For the safety of everyone in the community, the impact of increased and frequent traffic in this area needs to be thoroughly evaluated. Olympic Village already sees countless delivery vans, commercial vehicles, garbage trucks and visitors; with projected growth this will become an even greater concern and challenge around traffic & safety management.

We look forward to working with all groups and community members to find the optimal solution. By working with those parties, along with the Ministry and City planners, we can ensure everyone’s needs are met and the whole community is served. Let’s join together to postpone this decision until everyone’s voices are heard.

We urge the Province, the City of Vancouver and the School Board to postpone this decision until all groups in our community can be fully informed and express any concerns they may have related to the impact of removing the only open green space in Olympic Village, used by the families and seniors of over 1100 residential units.

As a local resident we strongly encourage you, our community neighbour, to take a moment to reach out to your City Councillors to voice your concern and express your views - that they revisit plans for the school’s location and allow us to enjoy the small outdoor space we have come to need.