Park Board Meeting

Name: Park Board Meeting — February 23, 2026
Start: 2026-02-24T02:30:00.000Z
Location: Vancouver City Hall

February 23, 2026 · 06:30 pm

Chaired by Tom Digby From official documents

Summary

W.C. Shelly Park Expansion (Grandview-Woodland): Board approved the concept plan for a 0.45-hectare neighbourhood park expansion, including a new dog off-leash area, food and cultural garden, picnic and gathering area, and expanded playground. Estimated capital cost is $2.3M, fully funded through the 2023–2026 Capital Plan, with construction targeted to begin Q4 2026.
2030–2038 Barclay Street Rezoning Impacts on Stanley Park: Commissioner Bastyovanszky requested deferral of his motion seeking a formal Park Board briefing on the proposed hotel redevelopment and its potential impacts on Stanley Park. Item referred to the March 9, 2026 meeting.
BCRPA 2026 Symposium Expenses: Board approved attendance of Commissioners Haer and Jensen at the BC Recreation and Parks Association Symposium in Vancouver (April 28–May 1, 2026), at an estimated total cost of $2,193.86.
General Manager's Report: Highlights included a City-Wide Youth Council clothing donation drive over the holidays; remembrance of Douglas Park Community Association director John Macintyre; and upcoming Council items on 2SLGBTQ+ safety, Dunbar Beach access repairs, FIFA readiness planning, and $10-a-Day Childcare reaffirmation.
Notice of Motion filed by Commissioner Jensen for the March 9 meeting: would invite the Office of the Auditor General to conduct a performance audit of the recommendation to replace the existing 50-metre pool with a 25-metre pool at the Vancouver Aquatic Centre.

Carried Details

Moved by Scott Jensen Vote 6 – 0

Proposed concept plan for the expansion of W.C. Shelly Park, a 0.3-hectare neighbourhood park in Grandview-Woodland, expanded to 0.45 hectares after acquisition of four adjacent residential lots in 2022.
Concept includes a new dog off-leash area (addressing a service gap for Grandview-Woodland and Mount Pleasant), food and cultural garden, picnic and gathering area, and an expanded accessible playground.
Public engagement included an online survey (255 responses), a Shape Your City project page (1,800+ visits), and a pop-up event (55 participants); feedback was broadly supportive.
Estimated capital cost of $2.3M is fully funded through the 2023–2026 Capital Plan; ongoing operating cost estimated at $115K per year starting in 2028.
Commissioners raised concerns about the absence of a public washroom in the concept plan and asked whether approval would expedite permanent park designation.
Four written submissions in support were received ahead of the meeting.

Carried Details

Moved by Scott Jensen, Tom Digby Vote 4 – 0 +2 abstained

Approval of expenses for Commissioners Haer and Jensen to attend the BC Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) 2026 Symposium in Vancouver, April 28–May 1, 2026; total estimated cost of $2,193.86 covering registration, per diem, taxes, and fees.
Commissioner Jensen addressed questions from the Board on the public benefit of the expenditure.
Commissioner Howard abstained from the vote.

Agenda documents (14)