Parks board moving to close Oppenheimer
Saturday, November 17, 2007 by David Eby
As if the continuing closure of Single Room Occupancy buildings in the face of the municipal government's almost total indifference were not enough for the residents of the DTES, the Parks Board is moving ahead with plans to close the entirity of Oppenheimer Park for almost an entire year with a public hearing this coming Tuesday.
Oppenhiemer Park is a critical resource for low-income people, a place to hang out during the day without facing harassment from police or private security to "move along." In addition, the park provides washrooms and planned activities for residents out of the clubhouse. The City could complete the renovations one half of the park at a time, leaving space, washrooms and resources for low-income people, but apparently that would cost too much money. Instead, the City has decided to close the entirety of the park from "Spring 2008" to "Fall 2008".
A public hearing on the plans for the park, with an opportunity to provide feedback, is coming up on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at the Vancouver Buddhist Temple on 220 Jackson St. in the Strathcona neighbourhood.
Oppenhiemer Park is a critical resource for low-income people, a place to hang out during the day without facing harassment from police or private security to "move along." In addition, the park provides washrooms and planned activities for residents out of the clubhouse. The City could complete the renovations one half of the park at a time, leaving space, washrooms and resources for low-income people, but apparently that would cost too much money. Instead, the City has decided to close the entirety of the park from "Spring 2008" to "Fall 2008".
A public hearing on the plans for the park, with an opportunity to provide feedback, is coming up on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at the Vancouver Buddhist Temple on 220 Jackson St. in the Strathcona neighbourhood.
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