Building Community One Block at a Time
We hope you will see your Car Free Vancouver block party as a launch pad for building stronger and richer ties to your community. Here is an excellent general resource on how to start that process, and below are links to other organizations, networks and resources that you can draw on in the Kitsilano area.
The
Citizen's Handbook. A guide to building
community.
An interesting accessible guide to
community organizing.
http://www.vcn.bc.ca/citizens-handbook/
Kitsilano Community Resources
City
of Vancouver Kitsilano Community Profile
A good place to get started if you are
looking for information on Kits! Public
and private schools, childcare resources, community organizations, city
construction projects and development proposals -- it's (almost) all here in
one place. The site also contains a
community calendar where you can view and post information on local events.
This site is also your first stop for contact information for the city's
Neighbourhood Integrated Services Team.
These are the people to contact if you have questions about area parks,
public health, planning, licenses, permits etc.
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/community_profiles/kitsilano/
Kitsilano
Community Centre, Fitness Centre and Ice Rink
Go here to find rink and fitness centre
schedules and to learn more about the wide variety of programs offered at the
community centre.
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/cc/kitsilano/index.htm
Kitsilano
Neighbourhood House
Our local neighbourhood house offers
programs for youth, families and seniors, hosts child care services and support
groups, and provides other resources for the Kitsilano community. The Neighbourhood House is also the contact
point for the Westside Food Security Collaboration project.
Point
Grey Natural Foreshore Society
This group works to preserve the
natural landscape of the English Bay foreshore west of Kits Pool. Contact:
Penny Perry 604.732.0779
St
James Community Square
St James is a community hub for recreational,
cultural and educational programs and numerous support groups and
services. The centre also provides
office space for a wide variety of community groups, and it's main hall is
available for special events.
http://www.sjcommunitysquare.org/
Society
Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC)
Kitsilano's very own environmental
organization! SPEC advocates and does
research on urban environmental issues ranging from highway expansion to
pesticide use. The SPEC building
contains an Energy Information Centre and is located next to the City Farmer
Compost Demonstration Garden. 2150 Maple street.
Kitsilano
Farmer’s Market
Not to be missed if you want fresh
local produce from May through October.
Located next to Kitsilano Community Centre each Sunday between 10 and 2
pm.
Kitsilano Area Residents' Associations
Have some questions or concerns you
want to discuss with your neighbours?
Want to work with others to address issues such as development, health,
homeless or traffic in your immediate community? Your local residents' association may be one
place to start the ball rolling.
Kitsilano
Point Residents' Association
This association promotes communication
between residents living north of Cornwall and east of Kits' Beach. Contact: John Owen (president) 604.736.5630,
Lynne Kent (planning and development committee) 604.731.8359 email: l.kent@telus.net
West
Kitsilano Residents' Association
This group serves the residents of Kitsilano living north of Broadway, between Vine and Alma. Contact: Alayne Keough 604.736.7589 email:
westkits@hotmail.com
Kitsilano
Arbutus Residents' Association
This group meets the needs of Kits
residents living south of Broadway in the area between Burrard and
MacDonald. Contact: Veronica Ross
604.738.6002
Upper
Kitsilano Residents' Association
This association provides a venue for residents living in the area of Kitsilano south of Broadway between MacDonald and Alma. Contact: Greg Booth 604.733.4123
Links to Kitsilano Shops and Services
Kitsilano
Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber of Commerce represents the
interests of over 400 businesses in Kitsilano to government and the
public. They used to host the annual soap-box
derby on 4th Avenue, but have abandoned it as a family oriented community event as of this year.
http://www.kitsilanochamber.com/
Kitsilano
West Fourth Avenue
This business improvement association
represents retail shops and services along 4th Ave, many of which
are represented in the site's on line directory. Kitsilano West Fourth Ave hosts an annual
event called Summer of Love, which highlights retail opportunities on the
street.
http://www.kitsilano4thavenue.com/
MacFourth.com
This web site provides a directory of
shops and services located near Fourth Avenue and MacDonald Street.
http://www.macfourth.com/index.html
Kitsilano.ca
This site offers listings on Kitsilano
restaurants, shops and services as well as restaurant reviews and news alerts
on Kitsilano happenings.
Car Free and Alternative Transportation Resources
Better
Environmentally Sound Transportation
BEST has been continually working to
encourage people to walk, cycle, take transit and carpool for over 15 years. It
advocates for better services for transit riders, cyclists and pedestrians, and
delivers programs to the workplace aimed at reducing trips and promoting ride
sharing, and to schools aimed at promoting active transportation. Your best first stop for information on active
transportation, and a great resource for information on street reclaiming and
traffic calming.
Cooperative
Automobile Network
CAN is BC's own innovative, not for
profit, car sharing network. If you only need a car once in a while, CAN may be
the solution for you. They have vehicles for every need, including two seaters, sedans,
station wagons, mini vans and pickup trucks. Cut yourself free from your
personal, carbon emitting ball and chain and you've removed the temptation to
hop in your car to go get tonight's video.
http://www.cooperativeauto.net/
Jack
Bell Ride-Share
Interested in carpooling or vanpooling
in the Lower Mainland, but not sure how to go about it? This is the place for you. Connect with other people going to the same
place as you, or register for a seat in one of the society's own fleet
vehicles.
http://online.ride-share.com/en/my/#
City
of Vancouver Traffic Calming Resources
Does your local intersection need a
traffic circle? Do you want to get a
pedestrian controlled traffic signal installed on your local arterial? Here is where to start the process.
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/engsvcs/transport/calming/ (traffic calming)
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/engsvcs/transport/traffic/peds.htm
(pedestrian controlled lights)
Kitsilano
Yacht Club
Kitsilano's best kept secret, nestled
in next to Kits' pool on the beach. A
perfect location to keep your Laser or outrigger if you want to commute to the
West End (or West Van) by water. Lessons
for sailors of all levels.
http://www.kitsilanoyachtclub.com/
Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC)
The Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC) is a volunteer-run non-profit society, whose members work to improve conditions for cycling in the Lower Mainland.