The group was initially formed as an association to be recognized by the City of Vancouver as a community stake holder in discussions surrounding the 1996 Downtown Transportation Plan. There was concern the plan would treat the West End as the arterials and parking lot for downtown car commuters. WERA’s founders wanted to ensure the pedestrian realm was championed and to hold the City to its transportation priorities that first favoured pedestrians, then cyclists and public transit over cars.

When WERA was formed, there were no active organizations that were championing West End livability issues. This was a gap that had existed since the early 1980s When an earlier incarnation of WERA was instrumental in getting the miniparks, diverters and resident parking program implemented that still has a positive impact on the West End’s livability.

In monthly meeting held in various directors’ living rooms, the agenda of the association grew to incorporate many issues and projects over the years.

A positive voice for advocating for progressive change in Vancouver

There are many different approaches and purposes for residents associations. WERA, from the beginning, differentiated itself as a group by proactively advocating for issues and projects to be implemented in Vancouver. Unlike some residents organizations that form to oppose some particular action in the city, WERA from the beginning advocated an active agenda of change. WERA’s  involvement in the Downtown Transportation Plan was an attempt to change the infrastructure of the city to develop safer and better conditions  for active transportation. WERA, along with other groups, was a relentless advocate for separated bike lanes on the Burrard St. Bridge and can count the construction of the lanes on the Bridge as one of the organization’s great successes.

WERA attracted a variety of directors and volunteers over the years. Many had specific passions which sometimes steered the priorities of the organization. Many brought extraordinary skills and talents which were instrumental for the success of the projects. Some lasted for a short time and others lasted for many years – John Whistler was a director from the beginning to the end. A few directors subsequently were elected to public office (Aaron Jasper on Park Board and WERA founder Rob Wynen on School Board) and many more were active in various other political campaigns.

Methods and tools

WERA intentionally set to gathering a small group of like minded people who  were able to function together as a cohesive group, based loosely on a model developed by Charles Dobson in his A Citizen’s Handbook. WERA attempted to effect change by participating in ongoing city planning process, but also attempted to influence the political discourse and agenda of the city. Directors and members of the group tracked agendas at city hall, studied staff reports, signed up to speak at city council and followed local papers to keep informed on issues. Early on the writing of letters to Mayor and Council and to editors of papers were tactics for influencing public discourse on issues. Many conversations with decision makers both at staff and political level gave WERA some access to suggest  ideas and policies.

WERA was an early adopter of web-based technologies such as email, a website and social media which proved to be an effective way to communicate ideas and to influence community discussion on issues. While the website is no longer actively maintained, in earlier years the website hosted numerous links on a variety of West End issues and was an active go-to source of information and allowed for lively discussion and debate.

The website was an important enabler of media outreach. In addition to being a content source for other media it facilitated numerous media interviews. WERA was frequently asked to comment on West End and broader issues that impacted Vancouver.

List of projects and accomplishments

Over the years, WERA participated in a number of issues and projects, often in partnership with other organizations. In addition to providing comments on ongoing civic public processes and redevelopment proposals, particular accomplishments include:

• Co-developed the Mole Hill Community Gardens with The Mole Hill Living Housing Society.
• Co-developed the  Stanley Park flower garden with the Stanley Park Ecological Society, at the foot of Robson Street at Chilco
• Participated in the Intercultural Community Garden on the roof of St. Paul’s Hospital with the YMCA
• Bikes and Community with King George Secondary School and the YMCA
• Mole Hill lane lamp community art project with artist Nicole May and the City of Vancouver
• Participated in community engagement  process with the redevelopment of Nelson Park with the Vancouver Park Board. Was relentless in advocating for a washroom in the park (an automated washroom was finally installed a couple of years ago).
• Participated in a community engagement process with development of the English Bay Bistro with Vancouver Park Board
• Participated in the West End Integrated Neighbourhood Network
•  Citywide Housing Coalition
• Impacts on the Communities Coalitions
• Co-Founder of the Save St. Paul’s Coalition
• Participated in the Renters at Risk group and campaign
• Participated in Mayor’s West End Advisory Committee
• Participated in the West End Planning Process
• Worked with city to build 16 pedestrian bulges along Thurlow
• Worked with city to redesign sidewalk alley standards to give priority to pedestrians (new design was first implemented in West End)
• Sponsored all-candidates debates for provincial, federal and municipal elections
• Developed an innovative online tool to match issues, parties and voters during the 2011 civic election

WERA was a small group of advocates and activists that attempted to effect change. While WERA advocated from a particular point of view, it also attempted to develop general awareness of and participation in civic issues that affected residents. WERA  facilitated responsible public discussion about issues of environment sustainability, affordability and liveability in the conviction that it would make the West End and Vancouver a better city.

WERA’s Legacy

WERA divided its remaining funds of $3,000 between:

• Gordon Neighbourhood House has been a West End place-based community organization since 1942
• Streets for Everyone is a volunteer-driven community organization based in East Vancouver dedicated to vibrant streets that are designed for all people.

(Check out and support these worthy organizations.)

Thanks for your interest in WERA. We are hopeful that other organizations will form and advocate for West End livability issues and we look forward to their accomplishments.

For more information please feel free to contact:

Rob Wynen rob.wynen@gmail.com    604 788 2758

Brent Granby brentgranby@mac.com 604 716 2824

John Whistler jrwhistler@telus.net 604 691 5632

This website will remain active until early 2015 when it will be taken down. Thanks to Terry Lavender for developing it and maintaining it over the years. And thanks to everyone who has been involved in whatever way with WERA.

What will you find? In the parks along the route towards Jericho Beach, you can listen to live music, zip yourself into a giant petal (really!), feast from your favorite food trucks, get crafty with the kids, play all sorts of lawn games, strike a yoga pose and more. Bring your picnic lunch and find a shady spot amid the festivities and don’t forget plenty of water and sunscreen. A bike valet will be available in Hastings Mill Park sponsored by BEST.

But wait, there’s more!

Continue west down the Seaside Greenway route to check out Brock House’s Summer Fair, Jericho Sailing Centre’s 40th Anniversary Celebration (we’ve heard rumours that there’s cake!) and MEC’s Paddlefest on Jericho Beach. Also, don’t miss the volleyball tournament on Kitsilano Beach on the way down.

This celebration for everyone is supported by many, including the Vancouver Public Space Network, HUB Cycling, the UBC AMS Bike Co-op, BEST, area neighbours and others.

The ride is bare as you dare, so fear not. All that is needed is a sprinkle of colourful courage. Together we’ll spread waves of happiness and contagious smiles across the city. So join us for the most fun event of the year.

Meet Saturday, June 14, 12:00pm Noon at Sunset Beach (near the corner of Beach Avenue and Bute Street) for body painting and performances with the ride itself starting at 2:00pm. A picnic follows the ride, hosted by NIFTY. The ride and all ride activities are free.

Naked bike riding tips:
• Prepare for riding rain or shine!
• If sunny, put on sunscreen!
• You do not have to be fully naked to join the ride.
• Wear shoes!
• If you are shy, the ride will start off clothed. There will be an opportunity to dress down after the start.
• Keep your clothes with you – you never know when you may need them (like… after the ride).
• Decorate your bike! Come with signs and funky hats! Cover your bike seat with fun fur!
• Ride safely and stay together as a group.
• Tell your friends! Spread the word!!

For more information visit:
http://www.facebook.com/YVR.WNBR (like us!)
http://wiki.worldnakedbikeride.org/index.php?title=Vancouver

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/561854150529148

#velopalooza #wnbr #yvrwnbr

Wednesday May 28, 2014, 7 pm -9 pm

Gordon Neighbourhood House 1019 Broughton St.

An opportunity for a presentation on Community Plan for a public system of integrated early care and learning

Please RSVP to brentgranby@mac.com

Tuesday March 18, 2014, at Gordon Nieghbourhood House 1019 Broughton St.,

6:30-8pm Free, but space is limited please RSVP to S.chandraherbert.mla@leg.bc.ca or

call 604 660 7307.

Thanks to all the WERA directors and community allies who advocated for the replacement of this washroom over the years, especially Aaron Jasper and Christine Ackermann and Brent Granby.

Big thanks to the Vancouver Park Board and all the Park Board Commissioners who made this happen, including Trevor Loke, Sarah Blyth, Constance Barnes, Aaron Jasper and Niki Sharma .

Thanks to Spencer Chandra Herbert for sticking with this issue and pushing for it.

It’s wonderful to see a washroom back in the park, a good day for residents of the West End and a big improvement in the public realm in Vancouver.

While not widely known in the City of Vancouver and in the West End the Dr. Peter Centre located on Comox St. by Nelson Park has supervised injections for its participants of their programs as a standard of care of the clinic. Street nurses with the Dr. Peter Centre consider supervising their patients injecting as part of their professional medical practice. This is a proven evidence based public health measure of a harm reduction strategy. But, now the Dr. Peter Centre and Vancouver Coastal Health are formally requesting a exception from the Federal Government. The application is supported by the Minister of Health for BC, Terry Lake and the Mayor of Vancouver, Gregor Robertson. For more information see the press release from Dr. Peter Centre and Vancouver Coastal Health.

From the Dr. Peter Centre Foundation:

VCH and Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation seek exemption for supervised injection services
The Dr. Peter Centre’s core values are compassion, courage, inclusion and innovation. Those values are realized through our integrated programs and services that ensure excellence in HIV/AIDS care.

If you have any questions, please email us at foundation@drpeter.org.

From the Port Metro Vancouver;

Land use plan update:

Consultation and comment period begins. The public consultation period began on February 1o and runs through to April 13, 2014. All consultation materials are posted online at Port Talk.

Draft Land Use Plan
Interactive Designation Map
Discussion Guide Feedback Form
Discussion Sessions and Webinars

Have question for the Port of Metro Van? landuseplan@portmetrovancouver.com

Attend the Downtown Local Bus Service Review open house and learn more about this project, talk with the study team and share your thoughts on how to improve bus service in downtown Vancouver.

June 22, 2013 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm at Barclay Manor (1447 Barclay St)