An East Vancouver neighbourhood group is voicing its frustration over the Vancouver School Board's (VSB) decision to close a number of school fields to the public, saying it's cutting off the community's access to green space.
Over the past couple of years, the school board has blocked the public from using the fields at Templeton, Lord Nelson and Charles Tupper on Vancouver's East Side, and at Lord Byng, Lord Roberts, Lord Tennyson and Bayview on the city's West Side.
The school board says the move is necessary to protect students from the holes dogs were digging in the fields, but members of the Greenspace Action Committee say other less restrictive solutions exist.
Jacob Larmour, a representative of the committee, said many people rely on the city's network of public green spaces, parks and school fields.
Jacob Larmour has banded together with other community members to advocate for access to the fields that the Vancouver School Board has closed to the public. Larmour is seen here outside the Templeton Secondary field, which is gated and locked. (Tessa Vikander/CBC )
"A lot of people live in basement apartments without a lot of green space at their homes. They come here, they have their picnics, they do their work," he said.
The City of Vancouver has more than one million household units, and nearly half of them are low-rise or high-rise apartments, according to data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the 2021 census.
The Greenspace Action Committee, composed of 13 active members, came together in November 2024, just over two years after the Templeton school field was closed to the public.
Another of its members, RK Popkin, said that before Templeton's field was closed, they would go there after work to unwind.
"It was truly our town square," Popkin said.
"It was one of these really rare intergenerational spaces where you could truly talk to people from all walks of life. And since it's been closed, our community has really lost something."
WATCH | Residents barred from school fields want their green space back:
The Greenspace Action Committee created a survey to try and understand the impact of the field closures. They put up posters around the East Side schools, and have so far received responses from 190 people.
Among other findings, Popkin said the survey showed many people had used the fields daily or weekly, and that the closures have made it harder for them to stay active.
In a statement, the Vancouver School Board said the fields are closed because dogs had been damaging them by digging holes, making it dangerous for students. The school board said it recognizes many of its amenities are important for community members, but that it prioritizes student access.
While community members are welcome to use school spaces, the district said if people violate that "privilege," it "reserves the right to cancel the use of any school facility or grounds."
The field west of Templeton Secondary School is pictured, locked to the public in Vancouver, on Jan. 24, 2025. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
Not allowed to talk
Larmour and Popkin said they applied to speak about the issue at a Vancouver School Board meeting.
"We were refused the opportunity to speak and to make our case. They told us this was an operations issue not a policy issue, so we have no one to talk to," Popkin said.
In VSB's denial letter, viewed by CBC News, it said the board chairperson would refer the issue to "appropriate district staff" for follow-up.
VSB declined CBC's request for an interview.
LISTEN | Community fighting for access to school field:
Popkin said they understand why the board prioritizes student use, but disagrees with its all-or-nothing approach.
"They are completely disregarding the harm that has been done to the community."
Popkin said the fields are an opportunity for the school board to demonstrate part of the stated goals of its student code of conduct: to promote mutual respect, cooperation and social responsibility.
The field west of Templeton Secondary School is pictured locked to the public in Vancouver, British Columbia on Friday, Jan, 24, 2025. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
Community members are willing to find a solution, Popkin said. For example, in 2022 before the Templeton field was closed and locked, Popkin and a friend purchased a wheelbarrow and shovel.
"We were organizing the people of Templeton field to help repair these holes that had been left by irresponsible users. We can build solutions, it does not have to be a zero sum between the needs of students and the needs of community members."
Vancouver School Board trustee Jennifer Reddy, who isn't involved in the process of approving speakers for meetings, said the fact that the Greenspace Action Committee was denied a chance to speak puts a spotlight on how the school board addresses public concerns.
"When I hear folks physically being unable to speak at a meeting that concerns me greatly."
Reddy said she will advocate for an open discussion on the issue.