A reimagined future for the Queen’s Park Farm could start to take shape in 2022.
City council has approved a staff recommendation that the longtime petting farm in Queen’s Park transition away from livestock towards a re-imagined future.
“Transitioning the Queen’s Park Farm towards programming that demonstrates ways for residents to lead a more sustainable, self-sufficient life in the city is important for fostering social, cultural and environmental connections in this prominent location,” said a report to council. “The transition also offers potential opportunities for year-round programming that is interconnected with adjacent park programs (i.e. tree nursery, beekeeping, pollinator meadow, natural forest, greenhouses, art gallery, children’s play areas, etc.).
A Dec. 13 report to council stated staff will engage with a consultant to develop a concept plan for the farm in the winter of 2021/2022, based on the results from engagement in Phase 1 of the process. The city will launch Phase 2 engagement regarding that concept plan in the spring/summer of 2022.
The Queen’s Park zoo opened in 1905 and featured a variety of exotic animals, before shifting to a petting farm program in 1960.
Because of the pandemic, the petting farm didn’t open for the 2020 season. At that time, parks and recreation staff were already developing a plan that considered a new use for the space, which as urban agriculture, food production and education.
This past summer, the space was used for a variety of uses, including day camp programs for kids, and programs run by organizations such as the arts council and New Westminster Family Place.
According to a staff report, the city received 106 responses to an online survey about its plans for the Queen’s Park Farm. It received 102 responses to a question about the plan to shift away from the traditional petting farm to a space that considers urban agriculture, with 45% agreeing, 17% somewhat agreeing, 13% neither agreeing nor disagreeing, 3% somewhat disagreeing and 22% disagreeing.
Food security activities, such as a community garden, outdoor community oven, etc., came in as the top use (37%) when people were asked about their preferred use of the site. Space for educational opportunities and programming (19%), open community gathering space such as unprogrammed public access (10%), paid rental space for community groups/private gatherings (1%), and other (33%) were listed as preferences.
Of the “other” responses, themes included keeping the petting farm (18 comments), offering nature and environmental-based educational opportunities and programming (six) , children’s play area (four), agricultural uses (two) and other uses (six), such as using it for outdoor fitness equipment, a covered sitting area or picnic area, a public market or an off leash dog park
A staff report stated the city’s budget includes $25,000 that’s being carried over from the 2020 budget, as well as $54,000 in capital funding for 2022 and $85,000 in 2023.
“These funds will be allocated toward working with the community to develop a concept plan for the farm in 2022 and beginning the phased implementation of that plan in 2022/2023,” said the report. “Concurrent with the final consideration for the farm concept plan, staff will bring forward information regarding potential operational impacts and associated budget implications.”
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