During my recent stay in Vancouver, I was tasked with minding my son’s allotment – and that’s how I discovered an almost perfect public green space in the heart of the city.
Nelson Park, Vancouver, is just 1.16ha, so not large, but they have developed it to include a range of activities and spaces for those who live in the high-rise apartment blocks in the area.
The first thing I noticed were the wide paths with a surface that is accessible to wheelchair users, and buggies.
There were lots of benches along the paths, allowing anyone to take a rest in the shade of the many beautiful trees.
On different days, I saw guys playing drums, a couple doing tai chi, men playing cards on a fold-up table, women breastfeeding and toddlers stumbling through their early steps.
Birdsong and children playing
Along with birdsong, there was the sound of children playing in the grounds of the school which runs along one side and in the on-site playground.
In a lovely paved area with pretty planting and metal arbours, you could relax to the sound of the water feature and the hum of bees.
There is an off-lead dog park, a haven for the many dogs who live in the apartment blocks. The area is fenced off and every day was full of dogs, running around with a freedom that can’t be accomplished on lead; sniffing the grass, the corners and each other. Owners chat while the dogs play.
I was told by one lady that bringing her dog here was how she first met people when she moved to Vancouver.
My favourite features were the allotments – around 90 in total. While small (they average 2x4m), gardeners manage to grow a huge variety of vegetables, fruit and herbs. Every plot included pollinator-friendly flowers and the place was buzzing with bees from the park’s beehives. There are water connections and hoses every few metres and a shed which contains everything from wheelbarrows to forks for the use of the allotment holders.
The allotment area is open to the public, so while the odd passerby helps themselves to a tomato or squash, I think that is balanced by the beauty and bounty it gives.
Margaret Leahy, Connemara, Co Galway / David Ruffles
The children in the school next door grow up used to the sight of tall tomato plants, creeping pumpkins and dark kale leaves. They grow up knowing where food comes from. My son was on a waiting list for many years to get his allotment, which shows the demand for growing spaces. The area is bordered by fruit-bearing trees, which park users can help themselves to.
What else does the park have that makes it so user friendly? A clean public toilet. I admit I have a bit of a thing about public toilets and would only use one in extreme emergencies, but this one was clean and well kept. It also has water fountains to drink from or fill your water bottle. They are at adult and child height. There is also a misting station. This is automatic so when the temperature reaches a certain heat, it sprays a light mist to cool off park users. There is even one lower down for dogs.
Community pride
The park is open from 8am-10pm, and while there is – as in almost any city – some anti-social behaviour, it is minimal. I think it springs from the community pride in the place. The park was redeveloped in 2007 after a three-year public consultation.
This has led to a sense of ownership by the community and in general it is clean, litter free and a great multigenerational space. Would I suggest any additional features? Maybe they could find room for a skatepark to encourage more teens to use the area for skateboarding, inline skating and BMX.
We have many great green spaces in our cities and towns, but I don’t know any that have the combination of features which makes them accessible intergenerational spaces as I witnessed in Nelson Park. As our living arrangements and social engagements change, surely a multi-purpose park for all the community would be an essential element in urban planning?
Read more
Margaret Leahy: a huge ‘go raibh maith agat’ to all the kind people in the world
Margaret Leahy: ‘When you have a dog, you’re never alone’
During my recent stay in Vancouver, I was tasked with minding my son’s allotment – and that’s how I discovered an almost perfect public green space in the heart of the city.
Nelson Park, Vancouver, is just 1.16ha, so not large, but they have developed it to include a range of activities and spaces for those who live in the high-rise apartment blocks in the area.
The first thing I noticed were the wide paths with a surface that is accessible to wheelchair users, and buggies.
There were lots of benches along the paths, allowing anyone to take a rest in the shade of the many beautiful trees.
On different days, I saw guys playing drums, a couple doing tai chi, men playing cards on a fold-up table, women breastfeeding and toddlers stumbling through their early steps.
Birdsong and children playing
Along with birdsong, there was the sound of children playing in the grounds of the school which runs along one side and in the on-site playground.
In a lovely paved area with pretty planting and metal arbours, you could relax to the sound of the water feature and the hum of bees.
There is an off-lead dog park, a haven for the many dogs who live in the apartment blocks. The area is fenced off and every day was full of dogs, running around with a freedom that can’t be accomplished on lead; sniffing the grass, the corners and each other. Owners chat while the dogs play.
I was told by one lady that bringing her dog here was how she first met people when she moved to Vancouver.
My favourite features were the allotments – around 90 in total. While small (they average 2x4m), gardeners manage to grow a huge variety of vegetables, fruit and herbs. Every plot included pollinator-friendly flowers and the place was buzzing with bees from the park’s beehives. There are water connections and hoses every few metres and a shed which contains everything from wheelbarrows to forks for the use of the allotment holders.
The allotment area is open to the public, so while the odd passerby helps themselves to a tomato or squash, I think that is balanced by the beauty and bounty it gives.
Margaret Leahy, Connemara, Co Galway / David Ruffles
The children in the school next door grow up used to the sight of tall tomato plants, creeping pumpkins and dark kale leaves. They grow up knowing where food comes from. My son was on a waiting list for many years to get his allotment, which shows the demand for growing spaces. The area is bordered by fruit-bearing trees, which park users can help themselves to.
What else does the park have that makes it so user friendly? A clean public toilet. I admit I have a bit of a thing about public toilets and would only use one in extreme emergencies, but this one was clean and well kept. It also has water fountains to drink from or fill your water bottle. They are at adult and child height. There is also a misting station. This is automatic so when the temperature reaches a certain heat, it sprays a light mist to cool off park users. There is even one lower down for dogs.
Community pride
The park is open from 8am-10pm, and while there is – as in almost any city – some anti-social behaviour, it is minimal. I think it springs from the community pride in the place. The park was redeveloped in 2007 after a three-year public consultation.
This has led to a sense of ownership by the community and in general it is clean, litter free and a great multigenerational space. Would I suggest any additional features? Maybe they could find room for a skatepark to encourage more teens to use the area for skateboarding, inline skating and BMX.
We have many great green spaces in our cities and towns, but I don’t know any that have the combination of features which makes them accessible intergenerational spaces as I witnessed in Nelson Park. As our living arrangements and social engagements change, surely a multi-purpose park for all the community would be an essential element in urban planning?
Read more
Margaret Leahy: a huge ‘go raibh maith agat’ to all the kind people in the world
Margaret Leahy: ‘When you have a dog, you’re never alone’
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