Changes may give you less say in naming parks: commissioner

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – There are concerns about the changes being considered for the naming procedures for city parks in Vancouver. The NPA is worried you will be shut out of the process.

Park Commissioner John Coupar doesn’t feel there’s any reason to shift the focus of public consultation to web-based forums, as suggested by park board staff. He argues right now, there is a lot more opportunity for input.

“I think it’s really important that the public is able to come down and speak to the park board — that’s what we’re there for — and get their input heard,” he explains.

Coupar feels the current naming policy was developed in 2007 and is working well. “There was no talk of it during the election; it wasn’t an issue at all, on anybody’s radar. Now, all of a sudden, there’s a move to do it quickly and without enough consultation.”

Staff believe the current process eats up too much of their time and needs to be streamlined.

Park Board Vice-Chair Aaron Jasper is accusing Coupar of jumping to conclusions about the adjustments without giving staff a chance to explain. “That’s why I’m curious to have staff walk through this process with us, explain the current process and, in detail, explain to us why they think it’s a problem. [I want them to] explain to us how they think they can make improvements, and I’m keeping an open mind.”

He denies any political motives behind the proposed changes.

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