Downtown South Park Named "Emery Barnes"

September 9, 2003 (No. 52) - Last night the Vancouver Park Board voted unanimously to officially name the new Downtown South parksite "Emery Barnes Park". Community activist and a long-time member of the British Columbia Legislature, Emery Barnes was put forward in the name gathering process and further supported by a delegation to the Board.

A dedicated social worker and provincial politician representing Vancouver, Emery Barnes served the residents of the city over a long and distinguished career. He was elected as one of the first two Black members to the Legislative Assembly in 1972, in the riding of Vancouver Centre and subsequently re-elected four times and also served as Deputy Speaker and then, Speaker of the BC Legislature. Barnes was an outstanding athlete excelling particularly in high jump, track and field and football. His life was dedicated to helping the disadvantaged. He was a strong advocate for worldwide human rights and raised the profile of Black people in BC.

Mr. Barnes' daughter Constance Barnes said she was "thrilled with the park naming. This park is in my father's former riding and the social services there, offered to youth and other needy people in the area, would strike such a positive chord with him."

Located at Richards and Davie Streets, the first phase of the park is just under one acre featuring flower beds, water features, lawn, trees, shrubs and classic stone work. The park has been designed with safety in mind, avoiding low canopy tree species and shrubs which block sight lines.

Cost to purchase the site for park purposes was $16 million and was primarily funded through an area-specific development cost levy. Development costs for the first phase was about $1.4 million.

Emery Barnes Park will be officially dedicated on Saturday, September 27, 2003 starting at 11:00 am.

Contact: Terri Clark, Communications Coordinator phone: 604-257-8438, vancouverparks.ca

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 200 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.