A recent example is the guerilla gardeners around the city. People here like to garden. We see spaces which we’d like to play with – so we do. The Peace Arch News writes about it, and actually contacts operations – the public taking work away from union workers. Where is the insight here? Why was there no mention of the idea of the parks department developing adoptable gardens in public space? I’ve adopted 5 spaces along johnson road – no permission asked – just took the action – no government subsidy requested to purchase winter blooming pansies – just wanted to add color and dimension over the winter months to the neighbouhood – the ladies who garden in the parks – they see a space they’d like to play with – capitalize on their natural willingness to play in public space and create a “public garden adoption agency” – the moment you ask me to pay a fee – for the “priviledge” I walk away.

What if Johnston road from north bluff to thrift became a car free public space?

Seniors on scooters would have a safe route to get from point a to point b. Us pedestrians would not have to breathe in the massive volume of cancer causing carcinigens from car exhaust. Noise pollution would be reduced dramatically. What if every condo sold, came with a golf cart for residents to get around in. What if every road created was automatically created with a bike lane – what if bike lanes were also scooter lanes? Sidewalks are not always wide enough to accomodate safe manoverability of pedestrians, baby strollers and scooters. If building heights is controversial – imagine how vocal people will get when “their” road is taken away.

What if there was a wall available for public painting. If I feel the desire to paint – some may call this graffitti / vandalism but if there are others who want to express themselvs artistically in public – capitalize on this “public mischief” and give us space – the rock will always be a medium for true love to be expressed in black marker – its a given.

Look at what us hooligans are doing – why are we doing it? Your answers may lie there, on how to engage the public in space usages.

Libraries have always been cool! Don’t tell or everyone will want to go to the library.

Pedestrianization is a cultural mindset change which is not funded by the oil or automotive industry. Slowing down, getting out and exercising is also a cultural mindset change. taking time to say “goodmorning” and smile to total strangers as you pass them on the sidewalk is a pedestrian mindset – the car mindset is to speed through the yellow light because the car driver is more importan than anything else. They complain because they have to pay to leave their 2 tonne metal purse in public space. They look down their noses at people who consciously choose not to own a car, not to support oil wars, care about the environment. I save 1000$ per month because I don’t have car payments, insurance payments, gas, etc etc.

Why is there not even a wooden/cement park map in each postage stamp park – showing the way between parks? Showing where the other parks are? Showing the “stairway” trails?

Good for you to attend these lectures – my friends had really positive responses to their presentations at step 21.