Vancouver Park Board CommissionersThe Vancouver Park Board is one of the only elected bodies of its kind in Canada. Starting out as an appointed body at its inception in 1888, it evolved into an elected committee in 1890 with three elected Commissioners, expanding to five members by 1904. The number changed to seven Commissioners in 1928 with a City Councillor sitting on the Board in an advisory capacity. In 1966, the Councillor advisory position was discontinued. The seven elected commissioners are responsible for the policy direction of the Park Board within the legislative framework called the Vancouver Charter. They set the vision and policy that guides the organization's services and programs and help staff deliver on the Park Board mandate to 'provide, preserve and advocate… to benefit people, communities and the environment'. They listen to residents and act as their voice to ensure Vancouver parks and recreation remains accessible and sustainable. Regular public meetings are held where the Board discusses reports and projects, reviews and sets policies and plans for the future of parks and recreation in our city. As with all other civic elected posts in the City of Vancouver, Park Board Commissioners are elected every three years. The last civic election took place in November 2011 and the next election will be held in November 2014. The elected nature of the Park Board and the strength and focus of its mandate have resulted in an urban parks and recreation system that today holds an enviable and esteemed position world-wide. Board RemunerationBoard members are compensated with both a stipend and allowance according to the following schedule:
The Chair and Vice Chair are elected by the Board for a one-year term. The stipend for the Commissioners is taxable. The allowance is in lieu of reimbursement for receipted expenses and is non-taxable. 
Constance Barnes, CHAIRConstance Barnes is a community activist and not-for-profit leader. As a single mother, she is a strong advocate for accessible and affordable childcare and learning, and sits on the Joint Council of Child Care. She is also a supporter of the arts, and is working to forward innovative ways to use discarded green waste, as well as art in parks and performing arts that are accessible to all. Constance believes that the Park Board has a product like no other in the world and has worked with staff to create a strategic marketing advisory committee. She is also passionate about women’s rights, accessibility, equality for all people and healthy and fit families. Constance is an advocate for the environment and creating a sustainable city for future generations. She works at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden as Sales and Marketing Manager. This is her second term on the Park Board. Park Board Liaisons:
Aaron Jasper, VIce-CHAIRPrior to his current career in real estate with Royal LePage, Aaron worked as a tour bus operator for 14 years with Grayline West. His dedication to client services earned him a reputation for excellence as well as numerous nominations for the Vancouver Tourism Award. Active in his community for many years, Aaron was a Director with the West End Residents Association as well as a founding member of the Save St. Paul's Hospital Coalition and Renters at Risk Campaign. He was involved in the Nelson Park redevelopment and helped organize the first Car-Free Festival in the West End. In 2007 Aaron was voted "Unsung Hero" by readers of the Westender. Aaron lives in the West End with his wife Arminder and daughter Simran. This is Aaron's second term on the Park Board.
Park Board Liaisons:
Sarah BlythThrough her work advocating for youth, Sarah found herself among other people in Vancouver who were deeply passionate about issues affecting the community. She has been employed as a Youth Outreach Worker with SPEC (Society for Promoting Environmental Conservation), and in Ecuador with the Environmental Youth Alliance. She was also a founding partner of the Vancouver Skateboard Coalition and helped secure the declaration of Skateboard Week, the relaxing of the ban on skateboarding on city streets, and the development of five new skateparks. Sarah has been a contributor to Momentum magazine and has written for many publications, including Snowboard Canada, Skateboard Canada, EXPN, and Terminal City. She was also a contributor to beyondrobson.com, a popular Vancouver blog. As the mother of a four-year old boy, Sarah makes good use of Vancouver's parks and community gardens. This is Sarah's second term on the Park Board. Park Board Liaisons:
John CouparJohn Coupar is well known for his successful effort to save the Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver. John was a founding Director of the Friends of the Bloedel Association and a past Governor of VanDusen Botanical Gardens. John is a passionate advocate for horticultural excellence in parks and green spaces. John was born in Vancouver and has been a long- time resident of the Dunbar area where he and his wife Heather raised two children. Recently, they have moved into the Village on False Creek, the greenest community in North America. John has spent his working career in senior management positions in a number of Canadian corporations. Four years ago, he founded a successful marketing company. He has an enthusiastic and positive approach to dealing with issues and people. John feels strongly that he can bring positive ideas to the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. This is John's first term on the Park Board. Park Board Liaisons:
Melissa De GenovaMelissa has a passion for Parks, Recreation and community service that developed at a very young age. She volunteers with several community groups and charitable organizations in Vancouver including; working with the annual Gala and Fundraising committees for Odd Squad Productions, and as Director of Honour House Society. Park Board Liaisons:
Trevor LokeTrevor is a not-for-profit professional, community advocate and athlete living in the West End. With a background in marketing, communications and fundraising, Trevor has worked for organizations including the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation and the BC Legislative Assembly. He is the co-founder of United Against Gang Violence and has worked with elected officials throughout Metro Vancouver to create safer communities. Trevor spent over a decade in Scouts Canada where he received the Chief Scout's Award from the Governor General of Canada for community volunteerism, leadership and survival. In his spare time, Trevor is a goaltender with The Cutting Edges Hockey Club. As Commissioner, Trevor is committed to protecting public spaces, increasing accessibility and making Vancouver the world’s greenest city. At the age of 22, Trevor became the youngest elected official in Vancouver history; this is his first term on the Vancouver Park Board. Park Board Liaisons:
Niki SharmaNiki Sharma is a lawyer practicing aboriginal law. She believes in the importance of engaging people and the power of meaningful consultation to achieve the best results. Niki has a degree in Environmental Biology and is committed to Vancouver’s Greenest City Action plan to expand green spaces throughout the city and restore local habitat. She has worked for the Environmental Youth Alliance in local community gardens and in Ecuador with women’s cooperatives, developing environmental education programs and on organic agriculture projects. She is also a Board Member of Battered Women Support Services and an advocate for women’s issues. Niki was an Intern with a Parliamentary Monitoring Group in South Africa, where she learned the value of democratic institutions that are inclusive and representative of all people. As Commissioner, she will work to be a strong voice for the diverse residents of Vancouver to enhance and expand our remarkable parks and recreation system. This is Niki's first term on the Park Board. Park Board Liaisons:
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