A group of West End seniors is against a proposal of replacing a bus stop with a community parklet. The site, located at Davie and Jervis, is used by many seniors, who voiced their concerns at a 鈥渃ommunity conversation,鈥� hosted by the West End Business Improvement Association (WEBIA) at Gordon Neighbourhood House, Feb. 11.
Parklets are street-level platforms that include public seating, landscaping and/or bike parking. According to the City of Vancouver, the purpose of the parklets is to widen sidewalks, expand public space and foster social life. 麻豆传媒映画currently has 18 parklets and seven commercial curbside patios.
Representatives from WEBIA and the City of 麻豆传媒映画presented their vision for the transformation of the current bus stop.聽
Stephen Regan, executive director of WEBIA, reasoned that Davie has five bus stops over a five block stretch 鈥� at Burrard, Thurlow, Bute, Jervis and Broughton 鈥� and the trade-off of losing one bus stop could have a net benefit for the whole community.聽
However, many seniors attending the meeting voiced opposition to the plan.
After the meeting, West End resident Ann Hunter expressed concern about the potential loss of the bus stop. 鈥淭he West End Business Improvement Association really want to put these parklets in and make our city look beautiful, I understand. But they have no idea of the human impact, no feeling for the people this would inconvenience.鈥澛�
She gestured to the walking stick slung over her forearm. 鈥淭here鈥檚 quite a large number of seniors, you know 鈥� a lot of them like myself, with canes, walkers or wheelchairs.鈥�
Anthony Kupferschmidt, executive director of the West End Seniors鈥� Network, explained the central concerns expressed during the meeting. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a high proportion of seniors in this neighbourhood, many with disability and mobility issues, so any risk of losing that important transportation connection is viewed as very problematic.鈥澛�
He then ran over to a senior on a mobility scooter, who鈥檇 become stuck halfway onto the sidewalk. 鈥淵ou need a push, Sheila?鈥澛�
He returned, adding, 鈥淭he other part of the issue is that there is a need for more seating. Seniors have a hard time getting from point A to point B, without knowing there鈥檚 somewhere they can rest along the way. But to make that happen, you shouldn鈥檛 have to put a parklet in, and certainly not at the cost of a bus stop.鈥�
A second public consultation will be held at Gordon Neighbourhood House, Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m.
@DrewClarkeBC
