Vancouver Public Space Network

Ramadan Mubarak! As sundown approaches, we wish all celebrants a month of peace, joy and fellowship.

Photo PickPik

Wishing celebrants a healthy, prosperous and joy-filled Lunar New Year!

Xīn Nián Kuài Lè
Gung Hay Fat Choy
Chúc mừng Tết Nguyên Đán
Sae Hae Bok Mah-ni Badeu Seyo
Maligayang Bagong Taon
Selamat Tahun Baru Imlek
Selamat Tahun Baru Cina
Sawatdi pi mai

Photo by Khoa Võ

Wednesday, February 18 – VPSN Volunteer Orientation

We use these sessions to share an overview of the VPSN, details on current activities, initiatives and volunteer opportunities. Meet fellow placemakers and lend a hand with a cool public space project!

:: Register via Zoom: tinyurl.com/mr3nrwjr

Another valentine card goes to all the folks enjoying, stewarding, and supporting these special places in the city. Your presence makes the city a joy.

Happy Valentine’s everyone! Sending BIG love to Vancouver’s beautiful public spaces. Our parks, plazas, libraries, community centres and high streets are the beating hearts of our neighbourhoods.

#PublicSpaceIsForEveryone #PSILoveYou

Photo: 2008 VPSN Valentine’s Hearts at Robson Square

TODAY: the 35th Annual Women’s Memorial March

📅 February 14
🕒 12 pm
📍 Main & Hastings, outside the Carnegie Community Centre

For those unable to attend the march a livestream will be provided through the Vancouver Public Library: bit.ly/3M63jHe

📷: Women’s Memorial March Committee

Women's Memorial March in Vancouver 2026 The 35th Annual Women's Memorial March (February 14) honours the lives of all women and gender-diverse people lost in the Downtown Eastside.

Saturday, February 14th is the annual Women’s Memorial March, which honours and remembers women and gender-diverse people whose lives were lost in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

This needs fixing immediately.

“No timeline has been given for reopening, but officials say the bridge is a priority and that work is underway to have the overpass returned to use as soon as possible.”

#Vancouver

Vancouver's auditor general criticizes city over lack of paper trail for lost developer amenities | CBC News Vancouver’s auditor general said the city engaged in “serious wrongdoing” when they failed to track whether $6 million in promised community amenities for a much-publicized downtown tower ever happene...

Vancouver staff told council that if it rezoned land so a developer could build a big tower, the developer would spend $6 million on making the surrounding area nice.

The city’s auditor general found that didn’t happen, and that staff basically shrugged their shoulders about it.

A crowd gathered in front of the Olympic cauldron in Vancouver as its flames were lit for the afternoon. People are taking photos with phones and a person is holding a giant red maple leaf cutout that says Canada on it

Back of heads in a crowd with the unlit Olympic cauldron in the background. One person is wearing a shiny red hat and holding up a mini Canada flag

A shot between the head and shoulders of two people in the foreground, focusing on the flames of the Olympic cauldron in the background, from a higher/lookout point of view

Looking down at Jack Poole plaza in Vancouver on a cloudy afternoon where people are taking photos of the lit Olympic cauldron. The Vancouver convention centre in the background on the right, Burrard inlet and the north shore mountains in the background on the left.

Scenes from the cauldron lighting today in #Vancouver

#olympics #canada #photography

Valentine's Day and the Lunar New Year are just around the corner - and a perfect time for placemaking.

Here's a small-scale public space intervention from Moody and E 16th in North Van - approaching the seasonal opportunities in a "roundabout" sort of way.

Moonrise peeking over @vancouverpubliclibrary Central Branch in Downtown Vancouver. Libraries are a great example of free and accessible public spaces!

What's your favourite library branch?

Third, speaking of elections… the missed opportunity. A majority on Council voted down a motion that would have directed staff to explore improved transit access to election sites, potential improvements to the voting system and other activities to strengthen local democracy. Unfortunate.

While fireworks may be iffy on a few levels, we acknowledge they can be fun – and we love large public events as much as the next person… BUT, this seems pretty “bread and circuses” given the big program and staffing cuts (which are still being implemented). Feels like another weird election play.

Second, the questionable news. After slashing programs and staff at the city as part of a “zero means zero” budget initiative, the ABC majority on Council voted to invest $2m in a one-day fireworks event.

First, the good news: City Council opted NOT to adopt recommendations to shrink the #TroutLake protected view – referring the matter back to staff to undertake more engagement.

Another plus: Council endorsed a new protected view for Clinton Park in #HastingsSunrise.

A mixed day at Vancouver City Council as a few different public space related items were considered. A few steps forward, a few steps in a rather questionable direction, and then a decision to stay put when a few steps would have been good… 🧵

📷Ted McGrath CC Flickr

TODAY: City council will be debating a motion around democratic innovation, which calls for (1) Transit improvements to support access to voting stations, and (2) Assessment of opportunities for a Ranked ballot system in advance of 2030 election.

Images: (1) Planting at Beaconsfield Park by Still Moon Arts Society; (2) Camosun Bog (x2) by VPSN; (3) Aerial of New Brighton Park by Vancouver Park Board; (4) Beaver Lake, Stanley Park by @Stanley Park Ecology Society

Looking for a good winter and spring adventure? Check out one of these spots and see the wetlands in action. Is there a wetland you’re particularly fond of? Let us know!

They’re also amazing places to visit!

Here’s a few of our favourite “spongy” public spaces:

• Camosun Bog & Pacific Spirit Park
• Hinge Park
• Stanley Park bog
• New Brighton Park saltmarsh
• Trout Lake
• Fraser River delta
• Beaconsfield Park (in development)

Today is #WorldWetlandsDay & we’re using this opportunity to share a note of gratitude for Vancouver’s wetlands and the stewards that tend to them.

Wetlands help to filter, clean & absorb stormwater, support flood control, sequester carbon, cool the environment, and provide important habitat...

Landmark tree-inspired office tower concept for revived Waterfront Station project | Urbanized Cadillac Fairview has rebooted its 601 West Cordova St. (555 West Cordova St.) office tower proposal at Waterfront Station with a new design.

JUST IN... Cadillac Fairview is rebooting its Waterfront Station office tower project in downtown Vancouver with an all-new, tree-inspired design.

The new application calls for a 22-storey tower with 581,000 sf of office space. #vancre #vanre #vanpoli

dailyhive.com/vancouver/60...

A few photos from this afternoon's protest at the offices of Hootsuite.
The company has a $2.8m (USD) contract to provide social media services to the US Dept of Homeland Security - which oversees ICE and the Border Patrol (both active in Minneapolis and elsewhere).

And some good news breaking on the Pattinson Group!

TODAY. Concerned about local connections to ICE? Looking to express solidarity with the good folks in Minneapolis and elsewhere who are fighting back?

Two rallies taking place at the offices of (1) Jim Pattinson Group (2) Hootsuite.

Our AGM and Winter Gathering takes place next Weds Jan 21 @ 6:30pm. Join us at Granville Island as we recap last year's work and give an over view of our proposed 2026 placemaking and public space activities.

Details & Registration: tinyurl.com/mvpahxzz

As we reach the solstice, and welcome the return of longer days, we wish you and your loved ones the very best of the season.

May your days be filled with warmth, community... and joyful times in public space!

Accessibility Strategy The Accessibility Strategy reflects our commitment to support the full participation of persons with disabilities.

Today is the International Day for Persons with Disabilities. Good public spaces are accessible to all.

Did you know the City has an Accessibility Strategy? Public space is one of the areas of focus. You can check it out here:

vancouver.ca/people-progr...

A black & white photo of three crows, perched in a line atop a decorative streetlight banner. Look all tough coz they are.

East Van crows