Pubdate: Tue, 16 Feb 2016
Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Vancouver 24 hrs.
Contact: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/letters
Website: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837
Author: Eric MacKenzie
Page: 5

POT PROTEST SPARKS PARK BOARD-CITY BICKERING

Vancouver Park Board officials denounce the news of a new Sunset Beach location

The Vancouver Park Board slammed the city Monday for allowing the 
annual 4/20 pot protest to move to Sunset Beach - but the city claims 
it never told event organizers to move there.

Park board chair Sarah Kirby-Yung issued a statement addressed to 
Mayor Gregor Robertson saying that a city decision to approve the new 
location "took place without the knowledge of" the board, which has 
jurisdiction over all city parks and does not support the event.

Safety issues, Seawall access and the fact that smoking is not 
allowed in Vancouver parks were among the concerns Kirby-Yung listed 
for the park board's opposition.

"We respectfully request that you direct City staff immediately to 
work with organizers to identify an alternate location to Sunset 
Beach, respecting the will of the board and the parks bylaw 
prohibiting smoking," wrote Kirby-Yung.

However, a separate statement from acting city manager Sadhu Johnston 
said "the city did not tell organizers to go to Sunset Park" and 
disputed the suggestion that the parks board has been left in the 
dark as protest organizers have tried to relocate from the Vancouver 
Art Gallery.

"Last fall, the organizers informed city staff that they were 
interested in Sunset Park as a new location. City staff told the 
protest event organizers that they would not be able to issue an 
event permit at this location since it was park board property," said Johnston.

"Since last fall, city staff, including staff from the park board, 
have been working with the organizers on a public safety plan as this 
remains our No. 1 priority."

With an estimated 20,000 marijuana enthusiasts participating in the 
gathering each April 20, the event had outgrown the VAG grounds. 
Johnston added that it's expected fewer city resources will be 
required to monitor the event at Sunset Beach since it is away from 
the downtown core and major roads.

In her letter to Robertson, Kirby-Yung set out six minimum conditions 
the park board expects to be met if the event does go ahead at Sunset 
Beach - robust police presence including the VPD's Marine Unit, 
smoking restricted to a limited area and all costs or liabilities 
being assumed by the city among them.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom