Between The Bridges – November 20

If you were out enjoying the sunshine last weekend, you may have noticed some interesting leaf formations outside of The Lagoons. A mysterious “rake bomber,” possibly disguised as a gardener, seems to have spent the afternoon arranging fallen leaves into a new form of public art. A further investigation revealed that the mystery raker has an Instagram account, and has been raking around the False Creek basin: https://www.instagram.com/rakemob/. Messages to the anonymous artist have gone unanswered.

On October 26 the plaza at the head of Spyglass Place was fenced off for renovations to improve accessibility to the ferry dock, which has closed for the time being. The work has included digging up a large section of the brickwork on the recently named Husain Rahim Plaza to provide steps and a wheelchair ramp up to a concrete platform as well as new benches on the plaza.  Although the work is taking longer than first projected and sacrifices the mural that has decorated the plaza, it is promising easier access to the ferries for all ages and abilities. It is another initiative in the city’s admirable efforts to improve access to all public services for the mobility challenged. 

But something seems to be missing. Apparently, no changes other than a recently installed handrail are planned for the ramp down to the ferry dock itself which, as frequent users well know, can become extremely steep at low tide. Since the ramp leads across the small dock directly into the water, navigating the route with a stroller is already tricky at low tide, and for a walker or wheelchair would seem genuinely perilous. A worker at the site reports that he and others are shaking their heads, wondering why they have been assigned to complete a pricey “improvement” project that seems likely just to create new problems.

When asked about this issue, senior Project Manager Patrick Coates acknowledged that the situation is not ideal but explained that the City is committed to making accessibility improvements where possible. Longer term planning of a technical renewal strategy for both the Spyglass and Stamp’s Landing docks is underway, and detailed work, including underwater inspection of both areas, should yield the best solution for rebuilding to a truly accessible standard. Thereafter, the necessary funding will be sought from the City’s capital budget. In the meantime, there will be signage warning those with mobility challenges to exercise caution. Let’s trust that they will. 

REPLAN UPDATE

The Co-op Housing Federation of BC and the City continue to have in-depth conversations to improve the proposed lease framework in the Co-op Lease Discussion Paper. As a result of these discussions, the City has moved this item from the November 24 Council Meeting to the December 8 Council Meeting. Updates, as well as information on how to speak at the Council meeting, will be circulated in the coming days.

ART - NOW MORE THAN EVER

Meet the Niche Gallery on Granville Island

Seven artists each juried to sell their art in the prestigious Granville Island Market, and each with a unique talent, are together now in the storefront Niche Gallery. You’ll find them tucked away in the little lane behind Purdy’s Chocolates. 

Like Mawlana, the silk and cashmere boutique  featured in the previous issue of Between The Bridges, the artists of the Niche Gallery signed their lease practically the day COVID-19 arrived, shuttering much of the island for months. The Gallery re-opened in June and, happily, the lights are still on!

Remember the ‘before time’?  Did we shop more frequently and at times spend more impulsively? Perhaps now we are examining our purchases more critically,  if we are buying much at all beside essentials.  

Yet this may be the perfect time to buy a work of art - small or large, serious or whimsical - a piece to admire every day, remember where we bought it, know its story and the artist who created it. 

Just taking the time to walk into a gallery, really any of the numerous galleries on the island, to see the beauty and creativity around us, is bound to lift our spirits.

- Kathleen MacKinnon (Regatta)

CHARLESON PARK PLAYGROUND: TA DA!

False Creek Elementary does not have its own school playground, but we are happy to share Vancouver Parks Board's Charleson Park with the neighbourhood. Many parts of the playground were original from the early 1980s and are being replaced as part of the "Charleson Park Playground Upgrade", which is finally nearing completion.

For further updates and details, visit the Vancouver Parks Board project page: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/charleson-park-playground-upgrade.aspx

- David Schaub, PAC Chair

LIFE WITH COVID-19 AT FALSE CREEK ELEMENTARY

Unlike in previous years, parents and other outside individuals are not allowed inside the school. Usual PAC activities inside the school - like hot lunches and movie nights -   as well as activities that the parents volunteer for - like sports teams and field trips -  are all cancelled for now.

Other changes at the school: 

There are no school assemblies. This includes the Halloween parade, Remembrance Day ceremony and various educational presentations and arts performances put on by outside groups. Fortunately the children still did wear their Halloween costumes to school, (but no sharing candy) and did have classroom activities to mark Remembrance Day.

This year, the children are eating lunch in their classroom instead of all together in the gym. The school is divided into two time slots for recess and lunch breaks, to reduce the number of children outside at the same time. All breaks must be taken outside, (which isn't such a bad thing). There are no rainy day indoor activities. 

All the school clubs - from chess club, to knitting, to yoga - have been cancelled.  In the past, the school hosted optional after-school activities, put on by third parties, that children could sign up for (drawing classes, lego club). These are not happening right now. Also not happening - the variety of modules in physical education that brought in instructors for activities like hip-hop, gymnastics, curling and ultimate frisbee.

There is also no buddy reading between the older and younger grades, and no student playground monitors/buddies for the incoming kindergarten class.

This year there is, unsurprisingly, way more hand-washing. Every time the children come into the classroom, and before snack and lunch, they must clean their hands - either at a sink with soap and water, or with hand sanitizer.  My son's grade 6 teacher estimates the class spends 40 minutes a day cleaning their hands.

There is more focus on going outside and the teachers are coming up with different ideas for outdoor education. To this end, the PAC purchased a canopy/marquee to create an outdoor classroom space. We're also providing funds to purchase additional sports equipment (e.g., basketballs) so each cohort has their own individual set to play with at recess. 

Just like with everything else in life in 2020, things at school are different from the usual, but school staff and students have done their best to adapt to the changes.

-Tracy Betel, PAC Secretary

Brian Heath (Heather Point) sent us this amazing photo of a late October sunset in the Creek, along with a “big thank you for providing our community with a well-written and entertaining newsletter”.

To Brian: Sending our thanks right back at you, both for the great shot and for getting us thinking about the stunning beauty of our neighbourhood.

To Readers: What other photos are out there? We’d love to see them.

The location of Barbara Howard Plaza is possibly a mystery to many, found at the south end of the Cambie Bridge and smack in the middle of the bridge’s off-ramp. Originally called the Cambie Bridge Plaza, it’s the home of the stylized Centennial Rocket Ship.

Who was Barbara Howard? An outstanding student athlete from Britannia Secondary School in Vancouver, Barbara represented Canada in the 1938 British Empire Games in Australia, the first Black woman to represent Canada in international competition. A sprinter, she broke the women’s record in the 100-yard dash trials and won silver and bronze medals in the 440-yard and 660-yard relay events. She was on the verge of a promising international career but the Olympics in 1940 and 1944 were cancelled due to World War II.

Barbara studied to be a teacher and, after spending an initial year teaching in Port Alberni, was hired by the Vancouver School Board and taught at Henry Hudson, Hastings, Lord Strathcona and Trafalgar elementary schools. At Trafalgar she taught gifted but underperforming children, many of whom went on to advanced degrees and kept in touch with her.  Highly respected as an inspiring and dedicated teacher who was active in the community, Barbara retired in 1984 after 43 years in education.  She died in 2017.

Little wonder that Barbara Howard should emerge as a possible name for the new school in Olympic Village. That neighbourhood has been pressing for a school for the past two years, given the growing number of children nearby. The site has been chosen, and Premier John Horgan said on election night, October. 24th, that the school will be built. The neighbourhood now awaits its firm confirmation.
  
Naming the school after a woman so highly regarded for her athletic achievements and educational accomplishments would send a positive and powerful message to parents and students. Hopefully, the Vancouver School Board will seriously consider calling it the Barbara Howard Elementary School.

- Wes Knapp (Regatta)

Everyone fears the wrecking ball.

False Creek South residents who live on the 80% of land leased from the City understand that the land will not be sold from underneath them. They also understand that at some point, there will be significant changes in the neighbourhood. New development, both desirable and necessary, can meet the needs of the City and those of us who live here - not only those on leasehold but on the 20% of land that is freehold. But what kind of development, as Creek resident Graham McGarva has it, would allow us to change but “stay the same”?

Read more here.

Fourth in the series, The Solution, Not The Problem by the False Creek South Neighbourhood Association.