Partiers at Grandview Park on Commercial Drive protest park’s one-year closure
Party at Grandview Park on Commercial Drive in Vancouver, BC, Canada on May 15, 2010.
A Facebook Group called “Defend Grandview Park on The Drive” outlines its opposition to the City of Vancouver’s plans for the park upgrade.
“Defend Grandview supports a park upgrade, in phases, that does not require the closure of anything more than 10 percent or at the very outside, 20 percent, at any one time. The washrooms need renovating, the playground some upgrading, some flower beds and paths some upkeep and maintenance. At most the cost should not exceed $500 000. The remaining $1 milliion could be directed to a host of other far more needy causes – school budgets being perhaps foremost,” reads the Defend Grandview Facebook Page.
Neighbourhood gentrification?
People opposed to the upgrade talk about gentrification. Rich people wanna get rid of the riff-raff. Yuppies are buying up all the houses around the park and now they’re saying negative things about “non-family” groups who use the park. Smoking weed and hanging out is the main activity of some groups in the eastern part of the park, and family-oriented neighbours are concerned about this.
In my experience, these various park users coexist peacefully. My son went to Britannia preschool right beside this park and I’ve been bringing him to this playground since he was a baby. I’ve heard rumours about the park – that needles and condoms are sometimes found there – but I’ve never seen any.
Last night at the party, I felt great nostalgia for the playground, which I’ve seen my son grow up on. A dozen kids ran around on the wooden equipment (soon to be replaced) playing tag in the dusk while the band played its ska-punk-Reggae punk sound and young people (teens and 20s) danced around.
But today, as I review the Grandview Concept Consultancy Award from the City of Vancouver, I see the upgrade has some really great aspects. For one, it addresses the park’s drainage problems that cause large sections of the field to be re-seeded with grass and roped off from use. Landscapers are professionals who have a passion for making space usable in an urban setting.
The upgraded park should address this problem and there will be more usable greenspace. It also includes much-needed new washrooms, moved to the north-west of the park, and a new playground and water park, “improved entry points to the park that may feature public art,” and more.
It appears that community open houses were held in October, 2009 and January, 2010. In October, 140 people sent completed questionnaire to the City and another 92 gave feedback on plans in January. So, it looks like people had a chance to give feedback – but maybe these are the yuppie neighbours in the equation.
The party was a big “FU” to everyone who lived nearby. The music went on until 2am, and wasn’t shut down solely because there was fear of a riot. (And actually, there was a wee riot between 2 and 3. Nothing major, but some windows were broken, and fires lite in the middle of the street) That means that they did what they wanted under the threat of property destruction and violence. Totally uncool, and totally anti-community.
In the morning, neighbours found the park a mess. Garbage everywhere, a dumpster in the middle of the street, garbage cans gone, and playground equipment broken. In short, the Defenders of Grandview trashed the joint.
Everyone I’ve spoken to in the park wants the reno. That said, none of them want to see anybody kicked out. We don’t care if people smoke dope or have a few drinks. We like the vendors and hippies and the drummers. We like the performances, and we are happy to live in a place where people can respectfully protest and dissent.
Nobody is happy with the length of the closure, but many like the new design, and just don’t get how the poor will be pushed out. I’ve started a facebook group that attempts to find a middle ground between the alleged anti-poverty views of the Friends of Grandview, and the do-nothing approach of the Friends of Grandview.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=117685251602819&ref=mf
What’s a yuppie anyway?
I would like to add a few things. The park will not be closed for a year. Less than 8 months actually, as it re-opens in March of 2011.
Also, as for doing the park in bits… as has been pointed out to citizens who have proposed this for other park renos… this increases the cost, and build time.
Plus I’d have to wonder… who are the Defenders to say how much it should cost? Are they experts? Are they proposing that labourers should be paid less? What exactly? And in terms of planting new grass seed… they tried that 5 years ago. Dug up a whole swath of the park, but it didn’t work, because the sand from the playground cascades down the hill.
Thanks John for this neighbour’s perspective and illustrating some important points. I will check out your Facebook group – and thanks for bringing more balance to the story.
Obviously, the proposed Grandview Park closing in July has serious consequences for the co-existing interest groups here. As someone who has witnessed burgeoning social control, gentrification, criminalization of the poor and disenfranchisement firsthand, since I’ve been coming out here for 25 years, it seems to me that we should all surpass the “Tower of Babel” barrrier that hinders respectful communication between the Friends of Grandview and the Defend Grandview protesters, the police, and those in the community who are uninformed about the issues. I admit, I for one one am having trouble determining who’s a “friend” and who’s opposed to it. The main issues are not all that clear. The big picture reflects the historical conflict between the haves and the have-nots, those who consider themselves environmentalists dedicated to the preservation of green space, and those capitalist “redevelopment” interests (which definitiely includes Gregor Robertson) whose goal is to control dissent, criminalize the poor, label street people, oppose marijuana decriminalization, and to eventually, dominate the political landscape in B.C. Contradictions galore a la Olympics. I don’t know if anyone is aware but yesterday, at about 10:00 am, as I walked past the park, of course, a city worker was removing the sequentially arranged protest signs, and when I asked him why, he simply stated because “the city” wants them to. What has become of us, Gregor Robertson, “NDPer”, when you have contradicted and compromised your credibility openly and publicly in the name of big business. We all know who Carol James and the NDP would want to support, and that would be not only the poor, but the community as a whole. The true “defenders” of this vital greenspace are people who consider the Commmercial Drive area as their home, where everyone, regardless of political affiliation, religious conviction, whether they’re pot smokers, dealers or not, families or single, police or so-called “criminals”, can co-exist peacefully. Idealistic ? Perhaps. Time will tell. How do we want it, people, violent and irrationaal. Or do we finally get substantive Social Democracy ? If it walks like a duck, these days, is it truly a duck ?Wouldn’t it be nice if representatives of all concerned factions,to preserve this important green space,could get together in a public forum,such as at the park itself on a sunny weekend, or indoors whereever,and respectfully discuss and negotiate a clear agreement that would inclede both public safety concerns and human rights at the same time ?
Absolutely we need more respectful communication between all park user groups. This kind of dialogue is an important part of my life – as someone who lives in a housing co-op, where on a smaller scale, we talk about what we are going to do in our shared space. The people who live closest to the space have an important perspective as do others who also use it. We often disagree, but in a time of limited space, we have to hash it out and solve the issue.
Thought I replied but I don’t see it here so trying again.
Let’s get a few things straight, John. The party wasn’t shut down (earlier) because of the government mentality of repression under the guise of freedom of speech. The government decides our lives for us and we are “allowed” to protest as long as we only make some temporary noise. This us unacceptable to those who value freedom. It therefore becomes necessary to stir things up from time to time. I don’t like that any more than you do but take the issue to the source of the problem, the government and the para-military that protect them.
The police did eventually join the party as well, although their involvement was to exert their authority and insist everyone else leave before having a chance to clean up. Some of them were enjoying the music just as much as the people in the park and in the street. As the police were the last to leave, perhaps they could have taken it upon themselves to clean up.
You seem to be in agreement with the goals and frustrations of those who vented their anger on Saturday. That sounds like community to me. The difference with you is that when faced with authoritarian rule you are okay with cowering in acceptance of someone else thinking for you. The freedoms associated with the Grandview Park redevelopment may impact others and not yourself but when will this regime, one small step at a time, suddenly be at your doorstep? Will you value freedom then? It’s a shame that justice is never easy and seldom pretty but we need to accept that before we can fight for it. Don’t wait until it’s too late, John.
Neal, go nuts. Protest all you want, but let people get their sleep dude. The government, that thing we elect, generally “decides” things based on mass public sentiment. For example, noise bylaws. Most people don’t want to be forced to listen to shitty punk at 2am in the morning, so we enable officers to shut em down. I agree with this. I’ve had the cops called on me a few times for exactly this reason. I don’t blame my neighbours, and feel badly that I was not watching the noise. No harm done. I don’t feel my freedoms were compromised in any way. Quite the contrary, I was imposing myself on others.
These guys however did what the hell they wanted, and were protected by kids willing to cause havoc in the hood. That hostile, and totally unacceptable. I tried speaking to them… they wouldn’t even talk to me when I asked them if they lived in the neighbourhood, or if they could explain how exactly these reno push out the poor. In other words… they didn’t give a shit about dialogue.
Don’t try and make excuses for these guys. Nobody was pushed out before they could clean up. I have actually been arguing with one of the organizers on Facebook and she simple didn’t have a plan for cleaning up, and figured people wouldn’t make a mess. And why the HELL should the cops have to clean up their effing mess? On that note… why did I and a bunch of other locals have to clean up their mess? It was truly a pathetic performance by the so-called “defenders of grandview”. And she openly asked for people to cause mayhem. They have to ball up and accept responsibility for the retardation that happened that night.
Now I ask you. Tell me how this reno will marginalize the poor. If we go to Oppenheimer Park in the DTES, which was just renovated, will we see the people who have always used this park? Or a sea of latte sipping yuppies? Or Victoria Park… will we find the Latinos who use to hang out there before the reno still there? Would you care to make a bet on what we’ll see? If the Friends of Grandview think that new grass and benches will get rid of the dudes who drink near the back of the park, she doesn’t know the dudes near the back of the park. They’re here to stay, and they’re mostly okay guys. That’s the thing… most of the “yuppies” don’t really care that they’re there.
Stephen B, the city held 5 meetings on this. There has been a sign in the park since the early fall. They have modified their plans to accommodate the bike polo folks, and done a generally pretty good job to come up with a plan that creates a highly usable park for everyone. I would personally like to see a stage in there, so maybe that’s what we need to focus our energies on. Right now I see no demands from the “no” camp. Simply that the whole thing is wrong and they want more consultation. Oddly enough, if you check out the Defenders of Grandview Facebook group, the guy actually says that he didn’t pay attention to the process, and isn’t interested in looking into it. So what are we suppose to do here?
Also, what do you want to see in this park? Specifically what have they done wrong?
Again, we feel it’s possible to have both a new park, and retain our radically inclusive community. All we need to do is keep on keepin’ on, and chill the F out.
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
John Paoluzzi:
Thanks for the update. I admit, I’ve been out of circulation for awhile, but
as an unemployed tutor/criminology grad. (undergrad. curriculum rep.1988/M.A.
candidate/T.A.,1989, for Paul Brantingham,environmental design criminologist also
responsible, along with John Lowman, for barricades to redirect/frustrate Johns seeking
prostitutes) /activist/musician myself, I have played guitar there often,including
yesterday afternoon, right on the park bench and on the north-east concrete where a stage
would be great ! I even smoked pot there (believe it or not)up to a year ago, but quit on
my own, and am trying to chuck smokes too, but it’s a struggle as usual. I did attend a
pot-luck with Defend Grandview on Sunday,May 23rd,afternoon , having read all of the
material I could find along the drive daily last month. I met Eric there, a fellow Quebecer
who immediately snarled ” You don’t know what’s going on !”. Laura-Lei was the moderator
and obviously the organizer. Most attendee/activists were young, seemingly
well-informed contemporary hippies, a few older like myself, maybe one or two
anarchists,who obviously were an esoteric, in-person/online community.Anyway, the point is,
facts are important, and we all want to find an amicable solution,this late in the game,
because all those dealers are going to be displaced to another park/venue, and that might
cause havoc for other residents. No doubt ! The initial reception I received was
confrontational and disrespectful of course. They had never seen me before, and didn’t know
where I stood. Fucken b.s.. Anyway,I was one of the first there,and it did take about an
hour for about 30 interested parties to show up. Laura-Lei and I had exchanged hostilities
about the location of the probation/community policing offices (as if it matters in this
post 911 age of security insanity)),and I admit I was somewhat concerned about my privacy,
since there was a “journalist” with a camera interviewing another girl. I
don’t know what it was about, but I purposefully intervened, assuming the worst. Some
Defend Grandview participants even had the temerity to tell me to “shut up”. Let it slide
unless I want to end up in the pen again like I was when I was was 19 in Montreal for a
typically-juvenile set of property offences, the most common of all. Now, at 57 and much
wiser, I embrace spirituality and passive resistance, as well as protests (Jean Swanson’s
“raise the rates” Strathcona/Kiwassa welfare office closing march last Tuesday, I was
wearing a black jean jacket near the head of the line),and speaking my mind as usual. You
are welcome to investigate my background with anyone you like, including the cops.
Anyway, I did make friends with David Beatty (see last week’s articles about his
civilly disobedient intentions in Metro and assorted local papers). He’s actually an
ex-journalist from South Africa who sells “Megaphone” for $2.00, very well educated and
respectful of others, yet courageously committed to his beliefs. Nixon said, “Let me make
this perfectly clear (I’m comfortable as an objective observer outside the political
spectrum, but I have voted N.D.P both federally and provincially all my adult life) Yes
I’ve always had political aspirations (not in Jenny Kwan’s riding though), and yes during
this recession opportunism is mandatory): Defend Grandview participants at that “block
party” were not the ones, as far as I can tell right now, who caused any damage. A fringe
group ironically calling itself the B.I.A.(barricade whatever) too had claimed
responsibility openly.There were some posters along the drive which confirm that.
I was very tired as a result of my job search, and voluntarily liaising with
Am, constituency assistant from Jenny Kwan’s office, since she is understaffed and very
busy with the H.S.T. initiative,the Basi-Virk corruption trial,etc., family, and G-d knows
what easily obtainable ammunition to finally put Campbell to rest this summer, including 40
calls a day minimum and countless email. Plough him Carol and Jenny ! Whoopie ! Sorry
Christian right et al, but it’s apparent that the end of the liberals in B.C. is finally
here. The moment has finally arrived, due to hard work by all N.D.P.ers across this great
beautiful province, where justice has come for everyone,especially for the poor homeless
lost souls on the D.T.E.S. for whom mighty Jenny and others have fought all their life.
Don’t forget, if it wasn’t for Jenny Kwan and Joy Mcphail, there would be no N.D.P.in
British Columbia. Thank you Ms. Kwan ,for never, ever forgetting history and for your
present amazingly cool demeanour in the legislature, despite the wrath and consternation
of the people in B.C. about the b.s flip-flopping presently dividing the liberals in the
legislature. They’re such a fucken joke ! Legitimation, mystification and open lies. Sue
me. Well we haven’t forgotten a f’n thing they’ve ever done, including the Socreds and the
biggest flip-flop flower child of them all, Mr. Bill Vanderzalm, who was
responsible,single-handedly,for causing the the biggest protest in Vancouver’s history !
Next on the agenda, I hope,: Free Mark Emery from Obama’s newly-defined social
democratic/imperialist America, and decriminalize marijuana once and for all.
Peace.
Of Course
You whine about the spending of dollars on the park – sure a waste, but at least when it is done people can do what they want in the park. You just want the money to go the institutions you love – schools, hospitals, group homes – all controlled by the elite – and where probably you all will be working once you leave the neighbourhood and get government jobs and join the power structure. All this is just a detour by the the you the leaders, the whites, lots of male whites, who by their very nature are oppressors but say they speak for the oppressed. In a few years you will leave get a grant or a job funded by the occupier (government) and put your kids in alternate schools – full of white kids. Shame on you – why not join the flotilla in Gaza and do something meaningful!
This has all been very intresting to read. I have been impressed with most of what I read above. Everyone wanted to heard, and were pretty good at not pointing fingers at each commentor. Ok some of it was long and i did not read it all. Susan… a bravo for always asking for more dialoge.
Lquit- you sound angry, sad and frustarted. It seem like you feel unlistened to, definately not empowered and that sucks. We all want our voices herad… really heard. I have a request.. instead of bleaming people for what they are and can not change… being white, being a male. I am white not a male but white… and love a wonderful man who is also white. We both care for our communoity of The Drive very much, perhaps in a differnt way than you do… but we do care. Bleam the attitudes that can change, elitnesss, racisum, closed mindedness.
Bravo to all the passion.
Let us focus it tonight at the Parks Board meeting with lots real listening for the needs of all and perhpas make some compromises along the way.