THE ISSUES

PARKS FOR THE PEOPLE - NOT POLITICIANS

The role of parks in Vancouver has been attacked, with $11 million in cuts, communities that haven't been consulted, and the Vancouver Park Board under threat. This lack of care among some senior leaders has been reflected in parks, public spaces, and community centres that are inaccessible, woefully, outdated, and in some cases dangerous. It's time that changes.

ACCESSIBLE & INCLUSIVE SPACES

So many of Vancouver’s parks and community centres are riddled with accessibility barriers — unsafe or uneven access points, paths that are difficult to navigate with mobility devices, washrooms too small to accommodate a wheelchair, heavy manual doors, limited seating, poor lighting, and signage that isn’t inclusive or easy to read. These barriers may seem small in isolation, but together they exclude people from fully participating in community life.

Accessibility is not an add-on — it is a basic standard of fairness. When public spaces are not designed for everyone, people with disabilities, seniors, parents with strollers, and those recovering from injury are effectively told the space was not built with them in mind.

Ensuring that everyone can access and enjoy parks, recreation facilities, and community programs is a major priority for me. That means proactive accessibility audits, universal design standards in all upgrades and new builds, and real engagement with the disability community to ensure improvements reflect lived experience — not just minimum code requirements.

SAFETY

Safety in parks is multifaceted and involves thoughtful planning, ongoing maintenance, and community presence.

Physical safety: trail maintenance, safe access points for all users, lighting, clear sightlines, playground inspections, and water safety measures.
Security: properly staffed facilities, visible park rangers or attendants, coordination with local authorities, emergency call access, and proactive responses to vandalism or encampment-related concerns.
Inclusion: accessibility for people with disabilities, culturally welcoming spaces, safe design for children and seniors, and programming that reflects the diversity of the community.

Together, these elements help ensure parks are not just open — but genuinely safe, welcoming, and usable for everyone.

IMPROVED PARKS & FACILITIES

Vancouver is increasingly a tale of haves and have-nots when it comes to our community centres. Some facilities are modern, well-funded, and built to meet today’s needs. Others are well past their best-before date — facing aging infrastructure, limited accessibility, outdated programming space, and significant maintenance backlogs.

This inequity affects real people. Families in some neighbourhoods enjoy bright, flexible, fully accessible spaces, while others rely on buildings that struggle to support seniors, youth programs, cultural activities, and recreation safely and effectively.

A city as strong and diverse as Vancouver should not have such uneven access to quality community infrastructure. Every neighbourhood deserves safe, modern, and welcoming spaces that reflect the community they serve.

STEWARDSHIP

Vancouver’s parks, natural areas, and public spaces are central to the city’s identity. They are where communities gather, where people stay active, and where we connect with nature in the middle of an urban environment. They also play a critical role in public health, climate resilience, and overall quality of life.

I am committed to protecting and enhancing these spaces while balancing public use, sustainability, and long-term planning. As our population grows, pressure on parks increases — and we must invest in maintenance, expansion, and thoughtful design to ensure they remain accessible and welcoming for everyone.

Vancouver must grow with intention. It cannot become simply a collection of streets and towers. Our parks and public spaces are foundational to what makes this city livable — and they must be protected accordingly.

TRANSPARENCY & ENGAGEMENT

One of my greatest passions is working with Vancouverites to create thriving, supportive, and connected communities. That means listening closely to residents, keeping decision-making open and accountable, and ensuring everyone has a voice in shaping the parks and public spaces we all share.

Decisions about public spaces should also be more open, accountable, and informed by the people who use them. I believe in listening to residents, consulting with stakeholders, and making educated decisions that strengthen trust in the Park Board.