Park Board Meeting

Summary

• Recognition of Jim Clive and Howard Kelsey: Board honoured two longtime contributors to sport at Kitsilano Beach Park; Commissioner Jensen introduced the motion calling for named courts (one volleyball, one basketball) in their honour. Jim Clive is credited with founding beach volleyball in Vancouver and building Kits Beach into a 16-court hub; Howard Kelsey is a two-time Olympian, Basketball Hall of Famer, and co-founder of Kitsfest.
• Italian Day fee waiver: Board approved waiving approximately $4,000 in Park Board fees for the 2026 Italian Day on the Drive Festival (June 14), brought forward as an urgent motion given the event's proximity. Commissioners noted the City had separately approved a $60,000 emergency fund and that Mayor Ken Sim had called for fees to be waived.
• Notices of motion for next meeting: Three notices tabled for the June 1 meeting: (1) Chair Digby — prohibition and restriction of motorized personal watercraft in Burrard Inlet; (2) Commissioner Virdi — advancing an inclusive sensory and all-abilities park with a communication board pilot at Queen Elizabeth Park, and a free swim motion; (3) Commissioner Bastyovanszky — beach safety and marine protection (also involving high-speed motorized personal watercraft).
• Special meeting announced: A special Park Board meeting will be held Monday, July 20 at 5:30 p.m. to consider the 2027–2030 capital plan.
• General Manager's report highlights: Construction underway at Slocan Park Children and Youth Hub (sport court, skateboard park, playground), expected complete end of 2026; Indigenous-led artwork being incorporated into Crab Park playground and splash pad (temporarily closed until end of June); 20 temporary portable toilets deployed at Stanley Park, Prospect Point, and Sunset Beach through Labour Day; spring Flexi Pass promotion generated 6,341 sales, a 48% increase in pass sales and 82% increase in revenue versus the same period in 2025; Learning Garden at Van Dusen hosted over 1,200 children in 2025; 16 Park Board staff recognized at 25 Years of Service Awards.