Marpole gets misting station after grassroots effort
Posted July 31, 2021 7:10 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — After weeks of rallying for change, a grassroots organization in Vancouver has finally had a misting station installed in its neighbourhood.
Following last month’s deadly heat waves, members of the Marpole Mutual Aid Network identified vulnerable people in their neighborhood.
Amal Rana says the misting station has now been installed outside the Marpole Neighbourhood House, following a major push to city hall.
We’ve added a misting station outside Marpole Neighbourhood House on W 70th and Hudson, stop by to cool off ????
DYK there are over 200 water fountains and misting stations across the city?
???? Find your nearest water fountain or misting station: https://t.co/HOXLMzY4QE pic.twitter.com/ydiLmjOWLf
— City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) July 31, 2021
“So many people here are in buildings that don’t have a yard with a hose, or any of those things. So, we have unhealthy neighbours, we have precariously housed neighbours, so it’s important that everybody have access to cooling down.”
She says to offer some relief for the most vulnerable people, the installation will make a difference to a whole range of people.
“Where the misting station is set up, it has the misting aspect, but there’s also a tap below. So that water is potable and drinkable, and you can refill. It has different heights, so children can also use it and you can use it for pet,s so I just think it’s really important that people have these various options,” she says.
Rana notes that the installation could ultimately save lives.
“In the area we are, south of 70th, most of the buildings are older, without ventilation, without air conditioning, and a lot of elders. We’ve been really concerned about the well being of people here and the need for city support that hasn’t existed,” she says.
Rana says the organization is also working to have the hours of the local library extended, so people can enjoy the air-conditioned space for longer.
