F R ID AY, J U LY 16, 2010 T H E VAN C O U V E R C O U R I E R
news
WERA plans to provide its own toilets at Nelson Park
West Enders lobby for washrooms Jeremy Shepherd Contributing writer
While dogs can race around in front of owners wielding scoopers and plastic bags, any person who feels the call of nature in Nelson Park needs to find another place to relieve themselves. But West End Residents Association president Brent Granby is tired of holding it, and he’s planning to do everything he can to make the park as comfortable for humans as it is for dogs. On July 17, Granby and WERA are holding Potty Power, the first step in a move that Granby hopes will end with washrooms in the park. “There’s a deficit in the public realm when you don’t have washrooms,” Granby said. Granby said he was tired of waiting for the Vancouver Park Board to supply bathrooms. The park has not had a washroom since a redevelopment was completed in 2007. Park Board chair Aaron Jasper said the park was fairly deserted before the redevelopment, which is why the park board has focused on other issues. “Three East Side parks are getting... major upgrades,” he said, explaining the tough choices he’s had to make. Jasper said he was very committed to getting a washroom in Nelson Park,
Aaron Jasper but wasn’t sure how long it would take. Granby said Potty Power would coincide with the Farmer’s Market, which tends to bring some of the biggest crowds to the park. “We’re going to start with the toddlers doing potty training,” Granby said. Granby said Potty Power would provide tips for parents who haven’t gotten their kids potty trained yet. “We’re hoping to get a public nurse out there,” he said, adding that they also planned to distribute several potties to parents in need, although he hoped a few potties would remain in the park. The event is the first of what Granby said will be several weekly gatherings designed to make Nelson Park more enjoyable for people of all bladder sizes. The park, known primarily as a dog park, is located on Nelson Street between Bute and Thurlow streets. “I don’t know what the
hold up is,” he said. “There was a washroom there and they took it away.” “If the park board isn’t going to step up... we’re going to provide washrooms,” Granby said, adding that WERA planned to hold similar events throughout the summer, including renting porta-potties for the park and possibly bringing in portable pissoirs. Pissoirs, which have gained some popularity in Europe, are outdoor urinals, sometimes portable and sometimes permanent, and usually enclosed by a screen. Granby said the lack of public washrooms results in more public urination as well as making a day at the park a difficult task for senior citizens. Granby said some of his motivation came from travelling in Europe and feeling much more comfortable in cities with readily accessible public bathrooms. “I think it gives the city a great feeling if you see a lot of public washrooms,” he said. Granby said public washrooms are part of the personality of a city, and part of allowing people to be active and to enjoy public space. “I just think it’s really important to facilitate a discussion,” Granby said. jshepherdcourier@gmail.com
Now open for a limited time only.
SCIENCE WORLD: WE’RE BRIDGING THE SCIENCE GAP.
41?!& )$-'--0'(--$ #-++ ;9@2@. 8<>@@< *3:1 8<>@@< % 8.:@1.@ /!>5, 87"<>3:1 8<3<:!1 =.:@1.@6!>5,'.3
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
First in Fabric Selection, Quality & Value
VANCOUVER
1678 S.E. Marine Dr. at Argyle
(604) 321-1848 Hours: Mon.-Wed. 10am-6pm / Thurs.-Fri. 10am-9pm / Sat. 10am-6pm Sun. 11am-5pm / Holidays 12pm-5pm
MEDIA PARTNERS:
Plus 7 more locations in the Lower Mainland to serve you! Join us on the Internet! webs: www.fabriclandwest.com
Fabricland Sewing Club Members Value Hotline 1-866-R-FABRIC 1-866-732-2742
EW13