What is the Vancouver Park Board referendum?

It is a citywide vote required by the B.C. government to decide whether Vancouver can dissolve its elected Park Board and transfer control of parks to City Hall.

Why does the referendum matter for park safety?

The result will determine who sets priorities and budgets for lighting, maintenance, and ranger programs that affect how safe parks feel.

What happens to permanent parks?

Removing permanent park status would require a unanimous council vote and a citywide assent vote, with an exemption for transfers to First Nations.

Will dissolving the Park Board save money?

The City projects savings over ten years, but actual results would depend on how any new structure is implemented.

Vancouver Park Board Referendum to Decide Who Controls City Parks

Q: When could the referendum happen?

Council sets the timing and could align it with the October 2026 municipal election, subject to provincial legislation.

Meera Gill
Oct 10
3 min read

Updated: Oct 21

A comic-book style illustration of a young woman holding her phone in a dimly lit Vancouver park, standing under a flickering streetlight beside a yellow sign labeled “Park Board.” The scene symbolizes safety concerns and public debate around the Vancouver Park Board referendum and who controls city park safety.

The Hidden Politics Behind Vancouver’s Parks

It’s getting dark in Stanley Park. The path twists under the trees, and your phone flashlight is the only glow between you and the water. A light ahead flickers, then fades. You wonder who’s responsible for fixing it and whether anyone’s even keeping track.

Most Vancouverites assume City Hall handles safety in parks, but that job belongs to the Park Board, an elected body that has managed city parks for more than a century. Now City Hall wants to take that power back, and the province says voters must decide first.

Who’s Really in Charge of Keeping You Safe in Vancouver’s Parks? The Vancouver Park Board Referendum Explained

The B.C. government now requires a citywide assent vote before Vancouver can dissolve its Park Board. Council will decide when that vote happens and may align it with the October 2026 municipal election.

It sounds like paperwork, but this decision determines who fixes broken lights, hires rangers, and funds park patrols. The Vancouver Park Board referendum will ask residents whether control of parks should stay with an independent board or move to City Hall — a shift that could quietly reshape how safe your local park feels.

Could One Vote Change How Safe Your Night Walk Feels?

The referendum is not just about government structure. It’s about whether Vancouver’s parks get attention when safety issues arise. If City Hall takes over, park projects could compete with roads, policing, and housing for budget space.

Supporters say one central authority will fix problems faster. Critics warn it could mean slower responses and less focus on park safety once decisions are absorbed into bigger city departments.

Are We Trading Park Safety for “Efficiency”?

The Park Board currently oversees rangers, maintenance, and lighting upgrades inside parks, working with the City’s infrastructure teams. When a bench breaks or a light goes out, they can act quickly.

If City Hall takes full control, smaller safety projects might get lost behind larger political priorities. Repairs could take longer, and accountability could blur between departments — something that directly affects anyone who uses parks after dark.

Why This Matters More for Women Than Anyone Else

Many women already avoid certain parks at night. City surveys show concerns about lighting, isolated trails, and the absence of visible staff. The Park Board has been adding safety-focused lighting and better sightlines in renewal plans such as John Hendry (Trout Lake) and Stanley Park.

It’s unclear whether those gender-based safety projects would continue under City Hall. If the Park Board disappears, there may be fewer people specifically focused on making public spaces feel secure for women.

Why B.C. Stepped In to Make This a Public Vote

The Vancouver Park Board is one of the only elected park boards in Canada. Residents vote directly for commissioners, giving them a voice in how green spaces are managed.

When City Hall moved to dissolve the board, critics said the plan lacked public input. The province responded by requiring a referendum, ensuring that voters — not politicians alone — decide how their parks are governed.

What You Can Do Before the Vote

If the legislation passes, council will call a referendum asking whether the Park Board should be dissolved. Council must also hold a citywide assent vote before removing the “permanent park” status from protected green spaces, with an exemption for transfers to First Nations.

The City projects about $70 million in savings over 10 years from merging operations, a figure cited by Mayor Ken Sim from a transition working group report. Actual savings would depend on how the change is implemented.

If you’ve ever felt uneasy walking through a park at night, this vote is about more than politics. It’s about who decides what safety means in the spaces you use every day.