Vancouver mayor finds difficulty restoring Oppenheimer Park into green space
Posted November 9, 2019 11:25 am.
Last Updated November 9, 2019 11:26 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Vancouver’s mayor continues to throw his hands up when it comes to restoring Oppenheimer Park into green space.
Kennedy Stewart says the park board has rejected numerous offers to clear out dozens of homeless campers who continue to occupy Oppenheimer Park, despite growing calls to clear it out.
“I’m going to work within my authority. The park board will work inside of their authority.” Stewart says.
“But I really feel like council’s done almost everything we can on Oppenheimer Park and it’s really up to the park board to decide what they’re going to do there.”
Stewart adds he’s still lobbying other levels of government to boost funding for social housing and he’s hopeful more money will be delivered next year.
“What I’ve been doing is just really trying to work around the park board with new temporary modular housing on Vanness Avenue in February, opened a record number of shelter beds and we’re looking at other options to just get those folks the housing that they need.”
Stewart says the city is hoping a gentle approach can help clear homeless campers out of Oppenheimer Park.
“I don’t think you could ever be too kind to people that are suffering. You know, there are a few activists there which is fine. They push their issue, but really the folks in that park, a lot of them have lots of mental health challenges,” he says.
They need kindness and that’s what we’re trying to do. You know, our homeless outreach teams are trying to make sure that they get placed.”
Park board commissioners recently rejected staff recommendations to seek a court injunction making it possible to clear out Oppenheimer.
