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Safe, Livable Neighborhoods

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The strength, vitality and safety of our neighbourhoods is what makes Vancouver such a desirable place to live. We need to continue to invest in our communities and parks, keep our streets safe and ensure that we have opportunities to celebrate and engage in our public spaces. Over the past three years, Mayor Robertson and Vision Vancouver have introduced new ideas, investments and programs to build better neighbourhoods – and we need to keep that going.

 

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What we've done: 
  • Despite a global recession and record deficits, Vision invested in strong, safe communities by increasing funding for the Vancouver Police Department each year
  • Launched the popular Open Streets program, followed by VIVA Vancouver, new public space programs that turn streets into pedestrian areas for markets, festivals and sports
  • Introduced the extremely successful street food program, debuting dozens of new food carts and bringing a diversity of new food to the streets of Vancouver
  • Supported and expanded the Four Pillars approach to drug policy, by bringing in the City’s first-ever comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions strategy
  • Secured over $70 million in federal funding for new infrastructure, including a refurbished Stanley Park seawall
  • Built two new all-purpose turf fields at Memorial and Jericho parks
  • Partnered with the Rick Hansen Foundation to build the first fully accessible playground at Kits Beach
  • Opened two new fenced off-leash dog parks at Devonian Park and Fraser River Park
  • Approved a ban on smoking at Vancouver’s parks, beaches and playgrounds
  • Built the first BMX dirtbike park at Vanier Park and the first bike polo park at Granview Park
  • Consulted and listened to our community and said no to school closures in the Vancouver school district
  • Brought a culture of collaboration to the district, working with parents, stakeholders, teachers and unions, district employees and our COPE colleagues on school board
  • Developed a policy and operational framework to make the VSB the greenest school district in North America
  • Over $200 million in capital projects moving forward, with Vision trustees are working to increase pace of construction
  • Two completely renewed and seismically upgraded schools — Jules Quesnel and Laura Secord — opening in Fall 2011, and more upgrades on the way
  • Created a new Mandarin bilingual program at Norquay Elementary School
  • Supporting program options - choices in music, the arts, culinary arts and nutrition, aboriginal and alternative programs, even in a time of declining resources
  • Created new uses for unoccupied school buildings/buildings in disrepair, like the new Green Thumb Theatre moving in at Carleton Elementary
  • Got the district's financial house in order, streamlining senior management and administration to use our dollars more efficiently and focus funding where it's needed the most - in the classroom

     

More to do: 
  • Support the VPD in their goal of making Vancouver the safest major city in North America
  • Invest in new playing fields and community facilities, including a new community centre in South Vancouver
  • Stand-up for public schools and protect our neighbourhood learning centres
  • Protect InSite and build on the 4 Pillars program by promoting prevention, enforcement, harm reduction, and treatment
  • Expand the popular street food program to bring new, affordable food options to more communities

Vision Delivers

The Vision team has delivered for Vancouver. Click the map above to see what we’ve accomplished in 3 years.