Comments invited regarding park siting of a commemorative monument

December 2, 2010 (No. 58) – The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation is inviting public comments on two potential park sites for a monument to the Komagata Maru incident. This incident involved a group of over 300 ship passengers of mainly East Indian descent who were denied entry into Canada at Vancouver in 1914.

Two potential sites have been selected due to their proximity to where the Komagata Maru was anchored. These sites are Harbour Green Park and Stanley Park near Brocton Oval. Maps of the potential sites as well as background information on the historical event can be found at vancouverparks.ca

The Park Board was approached by the Khalsa Diwan Society on the monument project, which is funded through the federal Community Historical Recognition Program (CHRP). The program provides funding for community-based commemorative and educational projects that recognize the experiences of ethno-cultural communities affected by historical immigration policies applied in the past across Canada.

The initial phase of the project will determine a location for a monument to commemorate this incident. Future phases of consultation will include an open house to share and receive comments on the monument designs.

Comments must be received by January 3, 2011 and can be sent by email to pbcomment@vancouver.ca or by mail to Vancouver Park Board, 2099 Beach Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6G 1Z4.

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Media enquiries: Joyce Courtney, Manager of Communications,
at (t) 604-257-8699 or (c) 604-861-4375