Hastings Park Update

Report on Hastings Park Meeting of January 23, 2012

Hastings Park committee members had a tour and meeting at Hastings Park on February 23, 2012. We determined the Internment plaque relocation site, further reviewed signage for detention sites and toured the Livestock barn. Gerry Borden of Parks Canada and Dave Hutch, Hastings Park planner joined us.

With Gerry Borden’s support, our group concluded the Internment plaque should be moved to the top wall area before the garden. All those entering the park from Hastings and Renfrew will pass by this area. We are recommending moving the Momiji Garden plaque where it is prominently displayed on the boulder to the left of the stone wall and replacing it with the Internment plaque. The Momiji Garden plaque can be mounted on the wall’s left side and will match a garden benefactor’s plaque already situated on the right side. The Internment plaque will then be clearly featured apart from the garden, and symbolically closer to all the detention buildings – a more prominent, meaningful and significant location.

Costs for all aspects of the relocation are being calculated as part of making final consideration for the plaque relocation. We will be requesting a meeting with the PNE board, City Council and Hastings Park Steering Committee to seek their endorsement for relocating the Internment plaque. The plaque has been cleaned by the City but it is in need of total refurbishing. Parks Canada will refurbish but cannot relocate and remount the plaque. We will seek support in kind from the City and PNE but will also need to fundraise to cover costs for the relocation. We may also need to request assistance from the Vancouver Japanese Gardeners Association to re-landscape the plaque area in Momiji Garden once the plaque is removed.

Regarding the interpretive signage for the detention buildings, Planner Dave Hutch said the sign template is almost complete so we will be able to develop the detention story and accompanying graphics for each building to fit accordingly. We are supported by Hastings Park Redevelopment funding for signage for 1 building but must raise funds to complete signage for the 3 other detention buildings. We will seek funding support from the PNE and City but apply for grant funding as well. We would like to complete the plaque relocation and signage project within this year as it is the 70th anniversary since the Internment.