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WEST VANCOUVER MEMORIES NOVEMBER 2012 SAFEWAY SITE SOLD T O F I N A N C E G L E N M O R E PARK (CONTINUED) architectural firm the Olmstead Brothers to create the master plan for the development of the BPP. The original [plan had many beautiful recreational facilities but only the famous Capilano Golf Course was built. The Parks and Recreation department ofWest Vancouver tried desperately to assemble some unsold lots to create neighbourhood parks, but were unsuccessful. The Glenmore subdivision had a large, partly, lightly sloping area with a beautiful creek running on the toe of the slope. This area was apparently reserved for a future possible shopping area. This would make a perfect neighbourhood park serving all Glenmore and a large part of the BPP in combination with the attached Glenmore school site. West Vancouver Council did not see the need for an extension for the existing John Lawson Park and sold the park reserve between Bellevue and Marine Drive to a private company, which in turn gave Safeway a long term lease. In addition the municipality had tofinancethe development of a parking lot between the railroad and Bellevue. The Parks Department was ordered to execute the landscaping of the actual Safeway area and the new parking lot. The money from the sale would then finance the purchase of the Glenmore area to create a large neighbourhood park. In the summer of 1961,1 produced the park plan incorporating the school grounds. We tried to take advantage of the Federal Government's Wmter Works program which would save a lot of money. They paid half the wages of newly employed people. The plan we presented had the existing improved school playfield,a baseball diamond, two tennis courts, a roller skating rink which could be flooded during the vsdnter if it ever got cold enough, and a playscape (the first creative playgound in North America). As well there was a large picnic area and a general open play area. However,, we did not have sufficient finances to execute the plan. Since we were serving the northern part of the BPP we asked Mr. Willaby, the General Manager of the BPP for funds and he kindly donated a substantial amount of money On weekends I would go door to door in Glenmore, presenting the Parks plan and accepting donations. We finally had enough funds to develop the Park. After the last tree was planted we erected the Glenmore Park sign next to the bus shelter. A large horizontal log was inscribed "Glenmore Park" and was supported by three slightly leaning logs. The largest one represented West Van Parks and Recreation, the middle one represented British Pacific Properties, and the third one was for local donations. Today the Safeway is going to be replaced by a new grocery store. The original plan was for two high rise buildings, but so many West Vancouverites protested that the plan was changed. A new larger museum and art gallery in the parking lot on Bellevue Avenue is also currently being plarmed. I certainly hope the beautiful California Redwood tree and a rare row of Cartaegus (a form of a Hawthorn tree) and some other valuable vegetation can be saved. It is hard to believe all these new developments may occur after barelyfiftyyears. èy Heinz E.G. Berger, LMBCSLA, FCSLA Retired Parks Manager of West Vancouver PAGE 3