2 THE VOICE, THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016 EDITOR SERENA PATTAR tlarge No more traffic: locals Residents are concerned about the influx of popula- tion the Pearson Dogwood redevelopment will create By SCOTT FORBES pressed concerns about the in- creased congestion the Pearson Dogwood redevelopment will bring. Pearson Dogwood is a 25-acre parcel of land that runs from Cambie Street to Heather Street and from 57 to 59 Ave- nue. The Onni Group recently purchased 22-acres of the total land, and the re- zoning will decide the size of the com- plex. Residents are concerned about the dramatic population increase and the lack of existing infrastructure to han- dle it, specifically increased traffic. Three schools border the property, as well as the redevelopment of Langara Gardens. “There is no traffic plan we have seen to mitigate the issue of putting five to six thousand new residents on this property,” said Mike Burdick, spokesperson for the Marpole Resi- dents’ Coalition. “Marpole has been hit with a ton of density,” said Burdick, and he esti- mates that if the proposed develop- ments are approved, Marpole will be- come the second largest residential area in the city. Susan Haid, assistant director of planning and development services for Vancouver-South, said, the city is working with the developers of Pear- son Dogwood and Langara Gardens on a transit strategy. “[Onni Group] have retained trans- portation engineers to look at the pro- jected growth, the road network plan and the multi-modal transportation plan to ensure there are measures to manage the transportation implica- tions effectively,” said Haid. The Onni Group plans to place apart- ments there as well as replace the ex- isting George Pearson Centre and the Dogwood Lodge. Wendy Hallinan has lived in the Marpole neighbourhood for 28 years, and is concerned about the problems associated with such a big develop- ment project. “Just come and stand on that corner (59 Avenue and Heather Street] when parents come and drop their kids off for school, and see how the traffic is backed up,” said Hallinan. The rezoning application is current- ly under review by the city to decide on the fate of Pearson Dogwood. rh i Ss" Marpole residents have ex- eT SCOTT FORBES photo The city is working with the Onni Group on a transit strategy for the Pearson Dogwood lands. ASN 3 ALYD LLEWELLYN photo | The current urban farm on the Pearson Dogwood lands includes a number of different plants. City farm to expand The redevelopment of Pearson Dogwood land will include improved urban farming space pants By ALYD LLEWELLYN e redevelopment project on the Pearson Dogwood lands will im- prove the urban farm that cur- rently sits on the site. The 25-acre land, located between 57 and 59 Avenue, and Cambie Street and Heather Street, is presently home to a one-acre urban farm. Despite Vancouver Coastal Health’s recent sale of the land to the Onni Group, the farm will remain un- changed. Karen Ageson, a member of Farmers on 57th, the organization that currently operates the Pearson Dogwood farm, says urban farms help shed a light on where our food comes from. “People are so removed from the fact that we grow food in the soil, and it’s something we should know about,” said Ageson. “There are people and families living in these high towers with no access toa plot of land, so it’s great to bring in ag- ricultural elements so people can see that they don’t have to go to the coun- try to experience what a farm is.” According to Ageson, the urban farm currently yields lettuce, chives, a vari- ety of herbs and different flowers. She added that the climate in Vancouver al- lows for optimal growing conditions. Mare Schutzbank, director of Fresh Roots, an organization that runs urban farms for high schoo] students in the city, thinks farming is a good way for people to learn about healthy food choices. “We can all eat a lot healthier,” said Schutzbank, “and the best way to do that is through familiarity.” “When people know about garden- ing and are engaged in it, they’re more likely to choose a fruit or a vegetable over an unhealthy option.” The hope is that the revamped urban farm can be used by the community for educational purposes, once it’s up and running, which is currently estimated to be sometime in 2021. “The farm is going to be in a dense residential and mixed use area. So we see the farm as a feature that will not only provide food for those who need it, but will also be a tremendous educa- tional opportunity for the community,” said Susan Haid, assistant director of planning and development services for Vancouver-South. “This is our food,” said Ageson. “This how we feed ourselves, so we should be acquainted with it.” Green peppers are easily grown ina number of different spaces Zucchini's are more easily grown than cucumbers or pumpkins Cayenne peppers are small, easy to grow, and produce a good crop size Tomatoes are easily grown in a number of environments, and can withstand harsh weather Carrots save space in urban farms since they can be grown close together Source: www.urbangardensweb. com Streetside gardens blossoming After nine years, Fraser Street’s curbside gardens bring residents together to beautify community By NICO HERNANDEZ and a dedicated volunteer group on Fraser Street has gathered to- gether for the ninth straight year to beautify the neighbourhood. In 2008, the South Hill Business As- sociation (SHBA) formed a volunteer group through the city’s Green Streets program. At the beginning, the pro- gram focused on cleaning the street, or beautifying the neighbourhood. Now, they’ve moved towards promoting a more sustainable lifestyle. The group goes out once a week to look after the street gardens on Fraser Street between 41 and 51 Avenue. “One of the challenges that we en- counter is that people move and are sometimes unable to keep caring for their gardens,” said Sara Orchard, Green Streets coordinator. “We do our best to promote the Ss" is just around the corner, program and make volunteering a pos- itive experience, Connect- such as having ac- ing with cess to free com- . post in the spring nature is and fall, and access away of to expert, mentor ° ee gardeners.” mspiring The program isa yourself citywide plan that encourages people to be more to make _ their sustain- neighbourhoods able greener. It has been successful in expanding to over 625 sponsored gar- dens that are being tended by over 600 volunteers. If also aims to make Van- couver one of the greenest city’s by 2020. “Our biggest pet peeve is the ciga- rette butts that we find on the streets,” said Sherry Loof, the group’s leader. “Many people don’t realize that they’re toxic to the birds that eat them, and they wash into street drains and subse- quently pollute our waters.” The program aims to foster a more sustainable lifestyle, like lessening the use of plastic products. Nicole Thom- son, Langara Environmental Club lead- er, advises people to carry re-usable bags and buy food in bulk because it uses less plastic. “Connecting with nature is a way of inspiring yourself to be more sustain- able,” said Thomson. “We all have the power to make a difference, and we can educate and inspire others by being the change.” Look for the gardens on Fraser Street to add some colour in the up- coming months. NICOLE THOMSON LANGARA ENVI- RONMENTAL CLUB LEADER SHERRY LOOF photo Green Streets volunteer Bernie Kny tends a flower pot on Fraser Street.