This page is separate from the background sent to candidates. Some information below was identified after the questionnaire was circulated.
BCA has relied primarily on Park Board and City of Vancouver records. BCA correspondence, measurements, observations and information provided at the September 22, 2026 BCA AGM are identified as such.
Burrard View Park is on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
BCA supports Indigenous cultural presence, food sovereignty, community food growing, biodiversity and community programming. Its concerns are about governance at Burrard View Park: consultation, siting, cumulative use of public space, public access, maintenance, transparency and elected oversight.
BCA welcomes corrections or additional public records at burrardviewca@gmail.com.
1. Urban Agriculture Policy
The Park Board’s Urban Agriculture Policy sets requirements relevant to the food forest.
Among other things, it provides that:
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- Park Board urban-agriculture licences are time-limited, normally for five years;
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- projects should encourage broad community participation and be accessible to people with varied abilities;
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- the garden is to remain open and accessible to the community;
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- signage should identify the project, sponsoring organization, how to participate and that the garden is open to the community;
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- larger community, collaborative, educational and arts-and-culture gardens require public consultation;
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- majority support must be indicated before staff recommend approval, subject to an exception for unique circumstances supported by a strong rationale;
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- Park Board approval is required;
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- a final project design and operating plan are required before construction and operation; and
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- projects are generally to operate at no cost to the Park Board apart from specified initial site-preparation and water-supply assistance.
These requirements are relevant to consultation, access, programming, site plans, infrastructure and public resources.
Urban Agriculture Policy:
https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/park-board-urban-agriculture-policy.pdf
2. Site selection and consultation
Before Burrard View Park was selected, Park Board staff and the proponents considered other neighbourhood parks, including Callister Park and Hastings Park. Burrard View was ultimately identified as the most potentially appropriate site.
Phase 1
Staff reported 108 email and telephone responses: 69% supported the project, 28% opposed it and 3% were neutral.
Of those supporting the project, roughly two-thirds supported the proposed location and one-third preferred another location within Burrard View Park.
The published results therefore showed majority support for the food-forest project itself, but did not show majority support for the originally proposed southeast location.
The elected Board referred the proposal back to staff for further consultation on location.
Phase 2
Staff then compared northwest and southeast locations.
The structured survey did not offer a direct “neither site” option, although respondents could provide written comments.
Staff cautioned that the survey was self-selecting and not statistically representative.
The results produced no broad consensus. Questions about how people expected their park experience to change showed a slight preference for the northwest option, while overall opinion was relatively balanced.
Some residents said the survey appeared skewed toward the southeast. Staff disagreed and said the questions were intended to show genuine trade-offs.
Staff ultimately recommended the southeast location after considering public feedback, technical feasibility, accessibility, infrastructure, proximity to the playground, fieldhouse and washrooms, programming opportunities and policy objectives.
For BCA, consultation does not require unanimity or give residents a veto. It should, however, be capable of influencing location, scale or design, and residents should be able to understand how their feedback was weighed.
2021 staff report:
2021 presentation:
Shape Your City:
https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/burrard-view-garden
Phase 2 survey:
https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/burrard-view-garden/surveys/burrard-view-community-garden
March 2022 report:
3. The flat area and what residents were told
The southeast area was not unused. Park Board records describe mown turf used for passive purposes, including informal play, picnicking, relaxing and socializing.
The Shape Your City FAQ stated:
“The majority of the flat area between the fieldhouse and the playground would be preserved.”
It also acknowledged that either proposed garden location would reduce space for activities requiring wide-open areas, including group sports.
BCA’s experience is that this flat area has long been used for informal play, soccer, picnics and socializing.
The December 2025 briefing notes that the designated off-leash area occupies approximately 43% of Burrard View Park and that Hastings-Sunrise is comparatively well served with recreation and park space. BCA’s concern is specifically the value of this flat area beside the playground and fieldhouse for flexible neighbourhood use.
Shape Your City FAQ:
https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/burrard-view-garden/widgets/102606/faqs
December 23, 2025 briefing:
https://parkboardmeetings.vancouver.ca/files/MEMO-BurrardViewCommunityProject-20251223.pdf
4. Approvals, agreements and terms
On March 30, 2022 (at the Board meeting that opened on March 28), the elected Park Board approved the southeast site as the general location of the food forest. Exact siting was delegated to the General Manager following archaeological assessment, and the General Manager was authorized to approve a five-year licence.
The December 2025 briefing says the food forest was then operating under a Neighbourhood Matching Fund agreement for 2023-2027 and that a community-garden licence for a proposed 772 m² area was expected to replace it in early 2026.
BCA has asked staff to confirm the current agreement and authorized boundaries.
| Project / use | Approval / agreement | Term / current information |
| VUFFF Food Forest | Southeast general location approved by elected Park Board in 2022. Exact siting and licence delegated to General Manager. | NMF agreement 2023-2027. Community-garden licence expected in 2026. |
| VUFFF Fieldhouse Residency | Fieldhouse Residency Licence Program Agreement. | 2023-2025, renewed for 2026-2028. |
| Eagles Inspirit Sacred Fire | Separate NMF agreement signed by General Manager. | 2024-2028. |
| Eagles Inspirit carving/storage | Temporary storage infrastructure outside the proposed VUFFF licence and archaeological review areas. No formal community agreement identified in the December 2025 memo. | Originally scheduled to end June 2026. BCA observed the container being removed on August 14, 2026. |
The Sacred Fire is expressly described by staff as a separate project from the food forest.
The issue for BCA is the combined effect of several separately authorized uses in the same part of the park.
March 30, 2022 decision:
December 23, 2025 briefing:
https://parkboardmeetings.vancouver.ca/files/MEMO-BurrardViewCommunityProject-20251223.pdf
5. Current boundaries and footprint
The December 2025 briefing identified a proposed food-forest licence area of approximately 772 m².
In August 2026, Park Board staff advised BCA that the cultural features occupied approximately 900 m², excluding storage.
At BCA’s September 22 AGM, staff acknowledged that the garden as installed was somewhat larger than originally proposed.
A BCA Google Earth measurement suggests that the food forest and associated cultural features may occupy approximately 1,000 m² or more.
The 772 m² figure is a proposed licence area and is not directly comparable with the other two. The staff estimate of about 900 m² and BCA’s approximate measurement of about 1,000 m² or more both exclude storage and are therefore more directly comparable, although they may not use identical boundaries.
The BCA measurement is approximate and is not a survey. Nor does it establish that everything outside the proposed 772 m² food-forest area is unauthorized, because some features are governed by separate arrangements.
BCA has asked for a single authoritative current plan showing each use, its boundaries, area and governing agreement.
December 23, 2025 briefing:
https://parkboardmeetings.vancouver.ca/files/MEMO-BurrardViewCommunityProject-20251223.pdf
6. Public access, programming, fieldhouse and storage
The food forest was presented as a collectively used, publicly accessible space with community programming as an important benefit.
The December 2025 briefing records VUFFF activities including work parties, arts, crafts and plant circles, and Dreaming Circles.
At the September 2026 BCA AGM, staff said their current understanding was that the fieldhouse was being used mainly for office and storage and that they did not have current programming information available.
The December 2025 briefing states that fieldhouse residencies are reviewed every three years, with the potential for one renewal. It states that public engagement is not required and that residencies are selected by a committee of staff and former Fieldhouse Activation participants.
The briefing says the 2026-2028 renewal was offered because archaeological investigation had delayed planting of the food forest.
VUFFF’s current residency runs to December 15, 2028. Staff told the BCA AGM that an open application process is anticipated in 2027.
BCA has asked for current information on programming, public access, maintenance, storage and the site and planting plan.
The December 2025 briefing described the Eagles Inspirit carving storage container as temporary, outside the proposed VUFFF licence area and archaeological review area, and originally scheduled for removal by June 2026.
At the September AGM, staff discussed a proposed concrete area near the fieldhouse for deliveries or storage. BCA has asked for its location, dimensions, users, purpose, relationship to existing authorized areas and why permanent additional infrastructure is required.
Fieldhouse programs:
https://vancouver.ca/people-programs/fieldhouse-programs.aspx
How fieldhouse residencies work:
https://vancouver.ca/people-programs/how-fieldhouse-residences-work.aspx
December 23, 2025 briefing:
https://parkboardmeetings.vancouver.ca/files/MEMO-BurrardViewCommunityProject-20251223.pdf
7. Sacred Fire
Eagles Inspirit Protecting Indigenous Fathers Society received 2024 Neighbourhood Matching Fund support for the Sacred Fire Project.
The application describes a permanent fire pit. The governing agreement runs from 2024 to 2028.
The Sacred Fire is governed by its Neighbourhood Matching Fund agreement, not the Urban Agriculture Policy.
Staff describe the NMF process as including support letters, public-jury adjudication and two weeks of on-site signage before installation. The released records do not show broader consultation with nearby residents.
Staff also state that the fire was installed with community members and in consultation with a firekeeper from Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
The December 2025 briefing states that the fire pit was installed within the Board-approved proposed southeast area and within the archaeologically reviewed area.
The facility did not come before the elected Park Board as a separate approval item.
The agreement provided reimbursement of eligible costs up to $10,000, assigns maintenance responsibilities and allows the Park Board or City to alter, relocate or remove the work or use the site for another public purpose.
Staff state that a burn permit is required for each ceremonial fire.
BCA recognizes the cultural significance of ceremonial fire. Its questions concern approval, notice, permitting, smoke and air quality, unauthorized fires and the governance of a permanent physical facility operating under a fixed-term agreement.
Sacred Fire Project records:
https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/2025-360-release.pdf
December 23, 2025 briefing:
https://parkboardmeetings.vancouver.ca/files/MEMO-BurrardViewCommunityProject-20251223.pdf
Neighbourhood Matching Fund:
https://vancouver.ca/people-programs/neighbourhood-matching-fund.aspx
8. Public resources
The 2021 report estimated VUFFF development costs at approximately $63,000, funded through fundraising and grants, and approximately $17,000 in Park Board costs for site preparation, irrigation connection, soil and compost.
The Urban Agriculture Policy, which governs the food forest, says projects are generally to operate at no cost to the Park Board apart from specified initial site-preparation and water-supply assistance.
The Sacred Fire is governed separately through the Neighbourhood Matching Fund. Its agreement provided reimbursement of eligible costs up to $10,000.
The December 2025 briefing also states that Park Board operations staff constructed and installed the locked cover for the Sacred Fire and placed beach logs around it for seating and gathering.
BCA has asked for a consolidated account of public funding, infrastructure, staff services and other material support associated with the Burrard View arrangements.
2021 staff report:
Sacred Fire Project records:
https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/2025-360-release.pdf
December 23, 2025 briefing:
https://parkboardmeetings.vancouver.ca/files/MEMO-BurrardViewCommunityProject-20251223.pdf
9. Review at the end of fixed terms
The current agreements and tenures are time-limited, even where they involve long-lived or permanent physical features.
BCA considers expiry or renewal an appropriate point to review:
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- compliance with the agreement;
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- actual boundaries and cumulative footprint;
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- public access and community participation;
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- maintenance and safety;
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- effects on neighbours and other park users;
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- public resources committed; and
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- whether changes could improve the balance of uses.
A review should not begin with a predetermined outcome. It should hear from the organizations involved, residents, park users and relevant Indigenous interests before the appropriate decision-maker decides whether arrangements should continue, change or end.
Other Burrard View projects
The playground, wading pool and proposed spray park are separate projects.
The January 2026 briefing said the original playground-renewal plan contemplated removing the wading pool. Following neighbourhood feedback, staff said the pool would remain for the time being and that they would work to repair and operate it, subject to available resources.
At BCA’s September 22 AGM, staff advised that the wading pool would continue operating until a replacement water feature is delivered.
The proposed spray park has been identified through capital planning, but specific funding, scope and timing remain subject to future budget decisions.
January 30, 2026 briefing:
City of Vancouver Capital Plan:
https://vancouver.ca/your-government/capital-plan.aspx
Park Board capital planning:
https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/park-board-capital-planning.aspx
Why BCA asked these questions
Burrard View raised broader governance questions:
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- How should consultation work, and can it change a proposal?
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- How should related uses of the same area be considered together?
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- When should material changes return to elected commissioners?
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- What information about significant uses of parkland should be public?
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- What review should occur when fixed terms end?
For BCA, meaningful consultation means providing adequate information, a genuine opportunity to be heard and a process in which feedback can influence the eventual decision. It does not require unanimity or give any individual or group a veto.
The questionnaire sought candidates’ views on those governance questions. It was not intended to predetermine the future of the food forest, Sacred Fire, fieldhouse residency or any organization at Burrard View Park.