Saturday, September 6, 2008

Media for September

Tri-Cities News article: Riverview gets cities' support

The Union of British Columbia Municipalities
has endorsed Coquitlam's resolution, to retain the lands in public hands.
Here is the released resolution in full:

B116 RETAINING RIVERVIEW LANDS Coquitlam
WHEREAS the Riverview Lands are significant to British Columbia's heritage and history, in that the Lands were set aside over 100 years ago to be a sanctuary and residential treatment facility for the mentally ill and to be the site for a provincial botanical garden;

AND WHEREAS the Riverview Lands are valued throughout the province as the home to British Columbia's primary mental health care facility, as an important heritage site, as a treasured botanical garden/arboretum and as a sanctuary for all;

AND WHEREAS they represent an unique opportunity for economic development, that will benefit all citizens, through undertaking initiatives which are congruent with the original long-term vision for the property - e.g., a campus focussed on research and development concerning physical and mental health and welfare;

AND WHEREAS by working together, there are tremendous opportunities to create a future plan for Riverview that reflects the goals and priorities of local residents, the region, and numerous interest groups from across the province:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities urge the provincial government to retain the Riverview Lands in public ownership, that its ongoing use as a mental health facility be respected, that they be managed in a manner that is consistent with the original long-term vision for the property - and not as a site for market housing, and that the heritage buildings, landscapes, and arboretum be protected and preserved for the benefit of all British Columbians.

ENDORSED BY THE LOWER MAINLAND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: No Recommendation
UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE COMMENTS:

The Resolutions Committee notes that UBCM membership has not taken a position on the disposition of the Riverview lands.

UBCM members have endorsed previous resolutions requesting provincial support to fund services and support for individuals with addictions and mental health problems (2007-B153, 2006-B50; 2006-B51; 2005-B49; 2005-B3; 2003-B132; 2000-A3). Many of these resolutions have also acknowledged local government's role as a key partner.

The Committee would note that subsequent to this resolution being endorsed by the Lower Mainland Local Government Association, the sponsor revised the wording of this resolution in response to UBCM's request to ensure that resolutions submitted for consideration be of local government concern, province-wide.
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Article about the potential closure of Pennington,(Penn) Hall:
Riverview patients’ rec room will close
A very short-sighted decision, if this occurs.
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Local newspaper article: Gravestones unearthed in backyard
Here is a bit more information about Alfred.....
Alfred Alexander: patient number; 2244
Died in May 2, 1940, aged 75 years. Alfred lived at Essondale for 31 years;8 months;3 days. Cause of death was; lobar pneumonia and chronic myocarditis.
Gravestones trigger memories

Mission project builds hope for the homeless

Treefest

Save the Riverview Hospital lands

The Riverview Hospital lands, are under pressure to be developed into market housing. Help to save the lands as a healing sanctuary for the mentally ill of OUR Province.



Please join the Riverview Horticultural Centre Society,( RHCS ) Facebook page. Twitter too!

Please sign the On-line petition or download a Word document petition ,which is a more official type of petition.
Blogs, about the hospital grounds
Mike Farnworth,MLA; Facebook forum " Protect the Riverview Lands"
And another Facebook group: Riverview Preservation Society
this group also has a petition to sign.

Click-able Map of the Riverview site

BISCO -- Brookside-Leeside-Roadside -- Centre Lawn -- Colony Farm
Crease Clinic -- East Lawn -- Essondale Hospital
Finnie's Garden -- Henry Esson Young -- Hillside unit
Home for the Aged-Valleyview -- North Lawn
Nurses homes -- Pennington Hall -- TreeFest -- West Lawn
John Davidson; "Botany John" blog. He was the first Provincial Botanist, who created British Columbia's first Botanical Garden at Riverview.
Other groups involved Riverview Horticultural Centre Society
Who also have a media NEWS Blog
You can also download a 42 page report titled, For the future of Riverview created by the Riverview Task Force.
Or Burke Mountain Naturalists, report: The Riverview Hospital Site, Respecting its Past,Realizing its Future
Coquitlam has designated the buildings and grounds, as a heritage site.
Download the Statement of Significance; SoS report PDF

Tour through the grounds


Paul Buikema, of Progress Landscaping, created this video.

Treefest 2011 slideshow


A slideshow of images from the Tree festival of 2011. Created in HD. Enjoy.

Riverview trees

Finnie's Garden -- slideshow

Finnie's Garden -- Pond restoration slideshow

TreeFest -- slideshow