1947 replies to this topic

[aastra]

 

North Park, Downtown, and Harris Green share one park, Central Park.

 

For sure. But they also share other parks, too: the Harris Green itself, the Mason Street park, Beacon Hill Park, and the new park behind the courthouse. Not to mention the playgrounds and/or playing fields at the various schools (Central, Vic High, George Jay). Central Park would hardly be the go-to choice for many of the people in these neighbourhoods.

 

There's so much effort in Victoria politics to convince people that official designations should rule hearts and minds. People don't ever cross municipal or neighbourhood boundaries, don't ya know.

 

Come on, nobody knows where the neighbourhood boundaries are. Many if not most people don't know where the municipal boundaries are. The designations have no relevance to what people do and where people go as they conduct their daily affairs. Nobody ever says, "My neighbourhood doesn't have [insert something here]!" if the something in question is right across the street but falls under a different official neighbourhood designation.

 

I'd also suggest that the unique character of the various neighbourhoods is being disrespected and/or diminished somewhat when we think every neighbourhood should have the same this or that just 'cuz. Obviously the downtown neighbourhoods are going to be different from the neighbourhoods near the Oak Bay border, which are going to be different from the neighbourhoods near Ogden Point, etc. Why should they all have the same amount of park space of the same basic format? How many times have we noted that Harris Green contains the very unique Harris Green, and yet the CoV and most Victorians don't seem to have a clue about the green's potential? People are much too busy trying to address the critical shortage of park space in North Park to care about something like that.

 

I'm fully on board re: pondering the alternatives, but I'm also inclined to add this NPNA spin to the ever-growing file re: "Victorians hate change except when they don't." The pool facility has been located in Central Park for ~50 years. But suddenly the pool facility doesn't belong in Central Park? Central Park is obviously the wrong place for a pool facility? The ideal place for a pool facility is one block south and a half-block east of where it currently is? "Missed it by that much."

[Victoria Watcher]

For sure. But they also share other parks, too: the Harris Green itself, the Mason Street park, Beacon Hill Park, and the new park behind the courthouse. Not to mention the playgrounds and/or playing fields at the various schools (Central, Vic High, George Jay). Central Park would hardly be the go-to choice for many of the people in these neighbourhoods.

 

There's so much effort in Victoria politics to convince people that official designations should rule hearts and minds. People don't ever cross municipal or neighbourhood boundaries, don't ya know.

 

Come on, nobody knows where the neighbourhood boundaries are. 

 

 

 

including you.  neither the courthouse park or beacon hill park is downtown.

[aastra]

I've made that joke before. Victoria's downtown Y is right across the street from a park that's not downtown. Scientists are baffled.

 

Edited by aastra, 16 January 2020 - 11:28 AM.

[aastra]

Tourism Victoria is also baffled:

 

 

Beacon Hill Park is in downtown Victoria and within easy walking distance from most downtown hotels, motels and the inner harbour.

from https://www.tourismvictoria.com

 

This is what I'm saying. The official designations and the official lines on the map are irrelevant to people. Reality is much more relevant.

[Nparker]

 

Why should they all have the same amount of park space of the same basic format?

If they are not all the same, how can neighbourhood associations know if they are hard done by?

[Victoria Watcher]

If they are not all the same, how can neighbourhood associations know if they are hard done by?

 

your'e right.  all other neighbourhoods should get a pool.  and a 8000-seat arena.  and a 5000-seat stadium.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 16 January 2020 - 11:51 AM.

[aastra]

One neighbourhood claims a deficiency because it doesn't have a library, but none of the other neighbourhoods claim a deficiency because they don't have an aquatic centre. Conclusion: hosting an aquatic centre is a burden rather than a perk.

[Midnightly]

where i'm very pro libraries, and the options for having more of them where possible (more then fine if not in north park, but consider either quadra area or hillside area),  there are a number of little parks here and there scattered in the north park area or on the boarder of north park area you have, you have the playground beside welburns, george jay (though technically not in north park but practically is as it's catchment for all north park students) it has three newer playgrounds (put in within the last 5-6 years)  plus the park right beside it, there's also another park on cook street just a bit up from bay with a playground, and to be honest, when you think about it, north park isn't a very large area, it pretty much covers pandora to bay street, cook down to Blanchard.. saying this small section needs a community center to honest is a bit ridiculous

[Victoria Watcher]

let’s also not lose sight of the fact that every youth in north park and every part of Victoria is in possession of a bus pass paid for by taxpayers. allowing that youth free transportation to any library any park any rec centre any community centre is greater Victoria.

[spanky123]

If they are not all the same, how can neighbourhood associations know if they are hard done by?

 

I will let you in on a little secret if you promise not to tell anyone. Many "neighbourhood associations" and community groups are really only a couple of people. Sure they have meetings and a mailing list but the decisions and policies are made by a very very small group of folks. 

[Bernard]

I will let you in on a little secret if you promise not to tell anyone. Many "neighbourhood associations" and community groups are really only a couple of people. Sure they have meetings and a mailing list but the decisions and policies are made by a very very small group of folks. 

the whole neighbourhood association thing has to come to an end.   They are private clubs that can and exclude people, they have no idea what the public in their area wants, they only use their role as a way to stop improvements to neighbourhoods.    Councils have to get some backbone and tell them they are not relevant and get out of everyone's way

[On the Level]

the whole neighbourhood association thing has to come to an end. They are private clubs that can and exclude people, they have no idea what the public in their area wants, they only use their role as a way to stop improvements to neighbourhoods. Councils have to get some backbone and tell them they are not relevant and get out of everyone's way

One doesn't need to be from the CoV to be on Council, so it only stands to reason that you don't need to live in the neighborhood to belong or start a Community Association. If I had more interest, I would start a North Park Reality Check Association......but that might stop the nuttyness and what fun is that.

[Victoria Watcher]

the whole neighbourhood association thing has to come to an end.   They are private clubs that can and exclude people, they have no idea what the public in their area wants, they only use their role as a way to stop improvements to neighbourhoods.    Councils have to get some backbone and tell them they are not relevant and get out of everyone's way

 

right.  and they do not need to report to the city their outreach or transparency or engagement with the community either.  or operate under any basic form of standardization.  

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 January 2020 - 12:59 PM.

[Bernard]

I would love to see be required to have a public membership list as well

[Mike K.]

So is the NPNA not in a major conflict of interest when asking for the rec centre at RAP’s parking lot, across from the property of a head NPNA figure?

[Nparker]

The NPNA will say the RAP location is the desire of the entire neighbourhood, even if they are only representing themselves.

[shoeflack]

Who puts a major rec centre on a plot of land bordered by a grand total of zero major streets. No immediate access to transit. Reduced accessibility being in a more challenging location.

 

Horrible location.

[Mike K.]

Unless you live right across the street and the future of the lot you’re staring at is a parking lot for the next 50 years, or a $100 million rec centre.

[Victoria Watcher]

Unless you live right across the street and the future of the lot you’re staring at is a parking lot for the next 50 years, or a $100 million rec centre.

 

if she was smarter she'd consider the pool in the park and a possible future of a park or at least more green where the RAP parking lot is.  I'm not sure why she wants a 2-floor building right across from her house.  it's a little easier for her she's on the south of the lot.  the few homes on green will be worse off with little sunlight left part of the year.  

 

why doesn't npna say:

 

fine. build the pool on central park but give us a commitment of a brand new park at half the RAP lot by 2025 and the second half by 2030.   gives the city all kinds of room to deal with parking at the RAP lot.  by 2025 npna has more green space than ever.  by 2030 they are killing it.  new park!

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 January 2020 - 04:31 PM.

[Mike K.]

My friend had his belongings stolen from the locker room. He said he didn’t think to lock the locker and went for a swim. Came back and his stuff was gone.

Staff gave him a talking to about locking valuables and he filed a report with police. Police said staff will have to review the footage, identify the thief and if he or she comes back, then call them.