Vancouver park board transition report touts savings [Video]

Abolishing the Vancouver Park Board would save the city approximately $7 million a year, according to a report from the city’s Parks and Recreation Transition Working Group.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim touted the report at a news conference Thursday morning alongside city staff and representatives from local First Nations.

The mayor framed the proposed abolition of the park board and reallocation of responsibility for parks and recreation to city council as a move that would save money, improve services and increase protections for Vancouver park land.

“This is about more than just governance – it’s about building a Vancouver that works better for everyone,” said Sim in a statement.

“By streamlining decision-making and eliminating inefficiencies, we’re creating a system that prioritizes what matters most: protecting and enhancing our cherished parks and recreational spaces.”

The reportmakes two recommendations: First, that the city council create a parks and recreation sub-committee to handle park …