Strathcona, Vancouver's First Neighbourhood
Strathcona, Vancouver’s oldest and truly unique neighbourhood, has been called a slum, “home of the working man,” and absolutely charming. Starting out as a collection of shacks and cottages around the Hastings Mill, it developed into a residential area that quickly moved south and east away from the mill... Read More about Strathcona and the area's history »SRA October Updates
SRA September 2020 Updates
Camp KT Update
Here’s an update on what’s happening with the camp. It has grown beyond the track area and now there are tents all over the park. According to a recent BC Housing census, there are roughly 250 people living there, 90% of whom are genuinely homeless, making it the largest homeless camp in Canada. Portland Hotel Society, Vancouver Coastal Health and Carnegie Outreach have staff in the camp to provide medical and sanitation support. The camp also gets support from over a...
First off, some news that isn’t about the Strathcona Park encampment.
Parents and Families Facebook Page: We’ve had some requests to set up a Facebook page for parents and child caregivers so they can ask questions, share resources and join a community. Turns out, one already exists. Thanks Danielle. Here’s the link. If you're a parent, please check it out.
Cordova Rail Crossing Closure: Residents of the Strathcona Village building complex on 1000-block E. Hastings...
The SRA believes every single person deserves a safe, accessible home, but we do not support the growing encampment in Strathcona Park.
Strathcona is Vancouver's lowest socioeconomic neighbourhood and has the least green space per capita in the city. This encampment punishes many marginalized groups, particularly during a pandemic where green space is extremely limited.
The SRA asks all levels of government to step up–and work together–to come up with creative...
We would like to update you on what we know about the encampment in Strathcona Park.
The SRA has been visiting the encampment and talking with camp organizers. They agree that Strathcona Park is not a sustainable place for a camp that large and would prefer a sanctioned location with adequate facilities, but so far, no level of government is offering one. We respect that they have legitimate concerns about homelessness that need to be addressed.
But we're also concerned about...
This morning, we woke up to find that the homeless encampment that several weeks ago moved from Oppenheimer Park to Crab Park is now in Strathcona Park, occupying the tennis courts and oval track.
We sympathize with the plight of people simply seeking a place to live, but we are also concerned that this is not a workable solution for them nor for residents and park users. The park facilities were not designed nor intended to support a large, long-term encampment. Despite good...
This morning, the schoolyard at Strathcona School was full of kids for the first time in months. Playgrounds, stores, restaurants and other public amenities are cautiously opening. All encouraging signs that we’ve weathered at least the first wave of this. It’s a good time to cautiously venture out and get some fresh air.
SRA projects have been in the same holding pattern as much of the world. We’re still awaiting the funds for our Community AQ Monitoring Grant. The re-...
This morning, the schoolyard at Strathcona School was full of kids for the first time in months. Playgrounds and other public amenities are cautiously opening. All encouraging signs that we’ve weathered at least the first wave of this. If you been holed up for the last two months, it’s a great time to cautiously venture out and get some fresh air.
SRA projects have been in the same holding pattern as much of the world. We’re still awaiting the funds for our Community AQ...
I hope you’re all staying healthy and managing isolation fatigue. If you need help, if only to have someone to talk to, let us know.
Here's what's going on. The Strathcona Neighbors Facebook continues to be a good place for local posts. Thanks Amber for monitoring.
SRA GETS GRANT FROM CENTERM
The SRA was awarded a $15,200 grant from the Centerm Community Fund to cover the engagement and planning phase of a Community-based AQ Monitoring Project. Thanks to Trefor Smith for...
As we're all doing our best to keep a safe distance away from each other, the SRA is doing what we can to keep us connected.
Thanks to everyone who volunteered to help out people stuck alone at home. So far, not many takers. If you know of anyone who might need help, e-mail us.
Below are a few online local connections worth checking out:
There is an active Strathcona Neighbourhood Facebook page where people are posting news and messages.
Union Food Market is...
In light of the unfolding coronavirus outbreak, the Strathcona Residents Association wants to do what we can to help our community get through this.
For one, we're concerned about people who may be isolated at home and need assistance. A few residents have already reached out with offers to help (thanks much). If you need help - or if you're willing to offer help - e-mail us your contact info. We will forward requests for help to volunteers who can then reach out directly. We will not...
The next SRA residents' meeting will be held on this Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 7-9 PM at the Strathcona Community Centre. All are welcome. No big agenda. Just a discussion of some of the evolving issues below…
PRIOR AND VENABLES STREET CALMING
On Jan 27, the City took the first steps towards calming Prior by allowing unrestricted 24/7 street parking on both sides of the street and reducing speed to 30kph alongside Strathcona Park. The goal is (1) to restrict and hopefully lessen...
Happy New Year to everyone in our wonderful community.
Our first monthly meeting of the new decade will be on Wednesday, Jan. 8, from 7-9 PM at the Strathcona Community Centre. All are welcome. If you've avoided coming because you hate meetings, we promise to keep things lively.
Some updates:
Calming Prior Phase 1
City Staff got back to our Prior Street Working Group with plans to begin calming Prior. Starting this month, they want to initiate all-day...
NO MEETING IN DECEMBER
We’ve opted not to hold a regular monthly meeting in December as there’s not much to meet about. The new board did meet in November. Here are the minutes of that meeting. The next regular monthly meeting will be on Weds. Jan. 8, 7-9 PM at the SCC.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Katie Lewis has taken on the task of refreshing our social media platforms and consolidating our several Facebook pages. For now, here are links to our preferred Facebook, Instagram and...