Vibrant Mural Graces Kamloops

In April 2021, a temporary pop-up plaza was placed at Hastings and Kamloops. This was the City of Vancouver’s response to COVID-19 to provide residents an outdoor gathering space and to support local business recovery.

More than two years later, it has undergone upgrades to become a more permanent fixture and the name “pop-up plaza” has been replaced with “Neighbourhood Plaza”. Here to stay for at least the next five years, it will help provide our community with a space to eat, rest, socialize and participate in neighbourhood activities.

What is great about this plaza is that it has been catered to our neighbourhood.  None of the other plazas look identical, allowing community members to make it their own. There is even a  message board for neighbours sharing information on events.  The City and the BIA have partnered with Mission Possible who provide employment for people who are vulnerable and/or experiencing poverty. Members from Mission Possible not only keep the plaza beautiful and clean, but also the HastingsSunrise neighbourhood.

The plaza also has a beautiful new mural painted by Jody Wasserman. This is their largest mural painted to date and has been designed to reflect positivity, community, diversity and vibrancy. More of Jody’s art will be installed in the plaza next year.

If you have ideas for how the plaza can be improved, or if you want to host an event, get involved, or receive funding to improve or celebrate in the space, email the City of Vancouver at plazas@vancouver.ca

To have your poster placed on the community board, contact the East Village Business Improvement Association (BIA) of Hastings Sunrise and Grandview-Woodland at info@eastvillagevancouver.ca

The City of Vancouver has also partnered with the BIA, Kiwassa Neighbourhood House, Vancouver Urban Food Forest Foundation, and Ward Memorial Baptist Church for our local pop-up plaza.