ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: April 4, 2002
Author/Local: M. McKay/6721

RTS No. 02647

CC File No. 1051

P&E: May 16, 2002

TO:	Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	1500 Island Park Walk - Installation of Commemorative Greenpeace Plaque

CONSIDERATION

THAT Council authorize the General Manager of Engineering Services to install a plaque in the Island Park Walk segment of the False Creek Seawall that commemorates the first sailing of a Greenpeace vessel; the design and location of the plaque to be to the satisfaction of the General Manager of Engineering Services; and all costs related to the installation of the plaque to be the obligation of the Vancouver Chapter of Greenpeace Canada.

COUNCIL POLICY

There is no Council Policy directly related to this request.

PURPOSE

This report seeks Council approval for the General Manager of Engineering Services to install a plaque (Appendix A) commemorating the first sailing of a Greenpeace vessel along Island Park Walk, between First Avenue and Anderson Street (which lies under the Granville Street Bridge) adjacent to False Creek (Appendix B). All costs related to the fabrication and installation of the plaque to be the obligation of Greenpeace.

BACKGROUND

The City has received a request from Greenpeace to place a plaque on Island Park Walk commemorating the 30^th anniversary of the first sailing of a Greenpeace vessel. The location proposed for this plaque is within viewing distance of the federal dock on False Creek from where this historic sailing took place.

In 1996 a similar report went before Council and was referred to the Parks Board for a decision. It has since been determined that there are no Parks Board lands with views to the federal dock. The location proposed on Island Park Walk, under the jurisdiction of the General Manager of Engineering Services, does provide views to the site of the historic sailing.

DISCUSSION

The plaque proposed by Greenpeace commemorates a historical event of significance to the City of Vancouver. Historically significant signage in appropriate places along the City's streets can be of interest to the public using those streets, particularly those residents and tourists using the seawall. Currently, staff are planning to locate historic interpretative signage along False Creek. Staff feel that this plaque, although not part of the historic signage program, will be of interest to the public.

The location selected for this plaque is on a section of the seawall which runs between First Avenue and Anderson Street (which lies under the Granville Street Bridge) adjacent to False Creek known as Island Park Walk. It would allow the placement of the plaque along a portion of the walkway with views to the dock from which the Phyllis Cormack (Greenpeace I) sailed on September 15, 1971 heading towards Amchitka Island, Alaska to protest atmospheric nuclear testing. September 15, 2001 was the 30^th anniversary of this event; however, in respect of the events of September 11, 2001 Greenpeace has delayed the anniversary events. When these events take place they wish to include the unveiling of the historic plaque commemorating the event.

The plaque and funds required to install the plaque will be provided by Greenpeace. After installation, the City will become the owner of the plaque. Generally the City discourages the placement of signs or notices on City Street at the request of interest groups; however, given the historic significance of this event, the General Manager of Engineering Services submits this item for Council consideration.

CONCLUSION

The General Manager of Engineering Services submits for consideration that Council authorize the installation of a plaque commemorating the first sailing of a Greenpeace vessel on Island Park Walk.

APPENDIX A

Photo of Constructed Plaque

Dimensions 450mm (width) x 250mm (height)

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver