City of Vancouver Ideas Forum

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• I agree

  51 votes

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  Declare a City-wide Neighbourhood Block Party Day

  The underlying theme of a Neighbourhood Block Party Day should be to empower neighbourhoods to engage neighbours with one another. The City should build on the success and demand for Car Free Days in Vancouver by declaring a Neighbourhood Block Party Day, creating economies of scale for block parties to plan, access city services, and build public awareness. The Block Party Day should seek to go beyond just single-family ...more »

  The underlying theme of a Neighbourhood Block Party Day should be to empower neighbourhoods to engage neighbours with one another. The City should build on the success and demand for Car Free Days in Vancouver by declaring a Neighbourhood Block Party Day, creating economies of scale for block parties to plan, access city services, and build public awareness. The Block Party Day should seek to go beyond just single-family neighbourhoods to areas with high-density rental and strata buildings, the residents of which were identified in research from the Vancouver Foundation as being the most likely to cite feeling isolated from their local community.

  - Engaged City Tasked Force Quick Start Idea #3

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  9 comments for Idea: Declare a City-wide Neighbourhood Block Party Day

  Submitted by City of Vancouver 27 days ago

• I agree

  46 votes

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  Engaging with City Hall »

  Earlier Public Involvement in Major Rezoning Proposals

  The City should request that developers who seek a major rezoning of a property hold a community open house prior to any design proposals being put forward. This would prevent a scenario where expensive building design renderings are completed and made public at an open house, creating a perception that little will change if people provide comments or concerns. These open houses should be held in the neighbourhood where ...more »

  The City should request that developers who seek a major rezoning of a property hold a community open house prior to any design proposals being put forward. This would prevent a scenario where expensive building design renderings are completed and made public at an open house, creating a perception that little will change if people provide comments or concerns. These open houses should be held in the neighbourhood where the development would take place, and provide an opportunity for the developer to inform and educate local residents on what is possible to build on the site, and for the community to express any opinions early on. Providing an earlier opportunity for public input prior to a major rezoning will strengthen public trust in the planning process, and allow for proponents to gain a better understanding of community concerns before a first design is put forward.

  - Engaged City Tasked Force Quick Start Idea #4

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  2 comments for Idea: Earlier Public Involvement in Major Rezoning Proposals

  Submitted by City of Vancouver 27 days ago

• I agree

  42 votes

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  Crowdsourced Venue List

  Have you ever wanted to host an event in your neighbourhood, but had no idea what venues were available to hold it in? Access to community venues is often restricted by a lack of knowledge of what exists, and one of the first and sometimes most difficult steps in bringing people together is finding a place to do it. This recommendation aims to support local residents in their efforts to organize community activities and ...more »

  Have you ever wanted to host an event in your neighbourhood, but had no idea what venues were available to hold it in? Access to community venues is often restricted by a lack of knowledge of what exists, and one of the first and sometimes most difficult steps in bringing people together is finding a place to do it. This recommendation aims to support local residents in their efforts to organize community activities and events. A central list of venues that is created and updated online by community members is a way to support community-driven activities by providing reliable and easy-to-access information about the places in the city where people can come together.

  - Engaged City Tasked Force Quick Start Idea #13

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  2 comments for Idea: Crowdsourced Venue List

  Submitted by City of Vancouver 27 days ago

• I agree

  38 votes

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  Bring 3-1-1 Online

  The City’s information telephone number 3-1-1 is increasingly used by Vancouverites to provide feedback and seek info from City Hall. Providing an online 3-1-1 function, such as through Twitter, would enable it to reach a broader range of people, particularly a younger demographic who might be less likely to call but have no problem tweeting a quick question.

  - Engaged City Tasked Force Quick Start Idea #12

  3 comments for Idea: Bring 3-1-1 Online

  Submitted by City of Vancouver 27 days ago

• I agree

  34 votes

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  Participatory Budgeting for Neighbourhoods

  Other cities in North America, such as New York and Chicago, are moving towards mechanisms for residents to determine how money is spent in their neighbourhood. The City should set aside money in its capital budget for neighbourhood infrastructure to pilot a participatory budgeting program in select neighbourhoods. This could be a great way to engage people who do not normally get involved in city initiatives. Winning ...more »

  Other cities in North America, such as New York and Chicago, are moving towards mechanisms for residents to determine how money is spent in their neighbourhood. The City should set aside money in its capital budget for neighbourhood infrastructure to pilot a participatory budgeting program in select neighbourhoods. This could be a great way to engage people who do not normally get involved in city initiatives. Winning projects could be used for local priorities like park enhancements, new playground equipment, amenities for seniors, street upgrades or new green space.

  - Engaged City Tasked Force Quick Start Idea #2

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  1 comment for Idea: Participatory Budgeting for Neighbourhoods

  Submitted by City of Vancouver 27 days ago

• I agree

  32 votes

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  Rethink Public Signs and Notices

  It is time the City of Vancouver brought public signage into the 21st century. Too many of the notification signs, particularly related to planning and development, are written in outdated, technical language that makes it difficult for people to understand. These signs use small fonts, lack colour, and seem to encourage people to ignore them, rather than to read and be informed by them. The City should engage the professional ...more »

  It is time the City of Vancouver brought public signage into the 21st century. Too many of the notification signs, particularly related to planning and development, are written in outdated, technical language that makes it difficult for people to understand. These signs use small fonts, lack colour, and seem to encourage people to ignore them, rather than to read and be informed by them.

  The City should engage the professional design community in a redesign contest for its development notification materials. The redesign contest should seek proposals for how City signs can be engaging and visually appealing when informing the public about development proposals.

  - Engaged City Tasked Force Quick Start Idea #11

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  3 comments for Idea: Rethink Public Signs and Notices

  Submitted by City of Vancouver 27 days ago

• I agree

  32 votes

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  Voter Turnout »

  Change the Voting System

  Voting is easier than ever, yet few people are voting.

  Our "First Past the Post" voting system was designed for a government with only two parties and is completely out dated.

  We need a new system that celebrates the diversity of our city and makes sure this diversity is properly represented on city council.

  We need Proportional Representation in Vancouver

  Add your comment for Idea: Change the Voting System

  Submitted by Jeff Harrison 20 days ago

• I agree

  29 votes

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  Voting on line

  I see this was suggested 5 months ago and there were just 3 comments, all negative. Perhaps now that more people are aware of this ideas forum the idea might be considered again. Many people would far rather vote at their computers or from their mobiles than turn out in nasty weather to go to a place that holds no other interest for them, so voter paparticipation would increase enormously. Security problems could easily ...more »

  I see this was suggested 5 months ago and there were just 3 comments, all negative. Perhaps now that more people are aware of this ideas forum the idea might be considered again. Many people would far rather vote at their computers or from their mobiles than turn out in nasty weather to go to a place that holds no other interest for them, so voter paparticipation would increase enormously. Security problems could easily be addressed: we all entrust information just as sensitive to this method.

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  8 comments for Idea: Voting on line

  Submitted by leswes 25 days ago

• I agree

  24 votes

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  Create and Promote an Engaged City Listserv

  Currently, if you want to find out all of the different ways to get involved with the City, you need to keep tabs on a number of different departments: the City’s Twitter feed, the Greenest City Facebook page, the Marpole community plan Twitter feed, or the Cultural Services newsletter, for example. The City should start an Engaged City Listerv to ensure that citizens who want to stay up to date on city events involving ...more »

  Currently, if you want to find out all of the different ways to get involved with the City, you need to keep tabs on a number of different departments: the City’s Twitter feed, the Greenest City Facebook page, the Marpole community plan Twitter feed, or the Cultural Services newsletter, for example. The City should start an Engaged City Listerv to ensure that citizens who want to stay up to date on city events involving engagement, such as open houses and info sessions, receive the information regularly, and in one place, by email.

  - Engaged City Tasked Force Quick Start Idea #14

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  4 comments for Idea: Create and Promote an Engaged City Listserv

  Submitted by City of Vancouver 27 days ago

• I agree

  24 votes

  This idea is active.
  Voter Turnout »

  City Hall 101

  Many city processes are confusing and opaque to members of the public. The City should provide information in an easy-to-read, easily accessible format on the website to explain the different ways the public can interact with the city, as well as explain specific programs and policies. Budget development, city service responsibilities, rezonings – all of these should be explained in a standing section on the City website. ...more »

  Many city processes are confusing and opaque to members of the public. The City should provide information in an easy-to-read, easily accessible format on the website to explain the different ways the public can interact with the city, as well as explain specific programs and policies. Budget development, city service responsibilities, rezonings – all of these should be explained in a standing section on the City website.

  Graphics and animations should be used to convey complicated information, such as the development process, and tap into the wealth of artistic and design talent in Vancouver to collaborate on new ways to convey basic civic information to people who want it.

  - Engaged City Tasked Force Quick Start Idea #6

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  Add your comment for Idea: City Hall 101

  Submitted by City of Vancouver 27 days ago

• I agree

  24 votes

  This idea is active.
  Engaging with City Hall »

  Create and Promote an Online Engagement Panel

  The City should take advantage of innovative new online engagement tools and launch an open, online community panel that enables citizens to engage regularly with the City to provide feedback on civic issues. Using interactive survey and dialogue tools to collect feedback, this panel – with membership in the thousands – would provide a new avenue for citizen input that builds on existing structures for engagement. The ...more »

  The City should take advantage of innovative new online engagement tools and launch an open, online community panel that enables citizens to engage regularly with the City to provide feedback on civic issues. Using interactive survey and dialogue tools to collect feedback, this panel – with membership in the thousands – would provide a new avenue for citizen input that builds on existing structures for engagement. The online panel would allow for more in-depth feedback and the ability to ensure that responses are demographically representative of Vancouver.

  - Engaged City Tasked Force Quick Start Idea #15

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  Add your comment for Idea: Create and Promote an Online Engagement Panel

  Submitted by City of Vancouver 27 days ago

• I agree

  21 votes

  This idea is active.
  Voter Turnout »

  Make it Easy to Register to Vote

  Voter turnout is low in Vancouver, with just 35% of eligible voters casting a ballot in 2011. In the 1960s, 70% of first-time young voters in Canada would vote in the first election they were eligible in. By 2004, this was down to 30%. We need to do better. The City should be doing everything it can to make it simple and easy to register and be informed. A permanent online voter registration and elections page should ...more »

  Voter turnout is low in Vancouver, with just 35% of eligible voters casting a ballot in 2011. In the 1960s, 70% of first-time young voters in Canada would vote in the first election they were eligible in. By 2004, this was down to 30%. We need to do better. The City should be doing everything it can to make it simple and easy to register and be informed. A permanent online voter registration and elections page should be available at all times on the City’s website, not just in the lead-up to an election. People who register to vote in advance are much more likely to cast a vote than those who don’t.

  The webpage should include an opportunity to register online to vote, as well as information in different languages on how to do so by phone or email, timelines and requirements for registering to run for elected office, and details on what is needed to vote in terms of identification.

  - Engaged City Tasked Force Quick Start Idea #7

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  4 comments for Idea: Make it Easy to Register to Vote

  Submitted by City of Vancouver 27 days ago

• I agree

  20 votes

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  Engaging with City Hall »

  Bring City Hall to the Community

  Many people are unable to access City Hall to use the services they want during the hours it is open, due to work or travel constraints. The City should develop a pilot program for a ‘mini-City Hall’ to have key city services available at select times in neighbourhoods, starting with those poorly served by transit access to City Hall. A mobile kiosk that visits different neighbourhoods could provide basic services that ...more »

  Many people are unable to access City Hall to use the services they want during the hours it is open, due to work or travel constraints. The City should develop a pilot program for a ‘mini-City Hall’ to have key city services available at select times in neighbourhoods, starting with those poorly served by transit access to City Hall. A mobile kiosk that visits different neighbourhoods could provide basic services that people need from City Hall, such as getting a new blue bin, paying a parking ticket, or registering to vote.

  - Engaged City Tasked Force Quick Start Idea #1

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  2 comments for Idea: Bring City Hall to the Community

  Submitted by City of Vancouver 27 days ago

• I agree

  19 votes

  This idea is active.
  Voter Turnout »

  Open the Doors to City Hall

  City Hall is the people’s building, and the City should hold opportunities for the public to visit different floors, explore different departments, and visit offices that they cannot normally access. An “Open Door” day in Vancouver could also include key pieces of city infrastructure such as the Southeast False Creek Neighbourhood Energy Utility, the Manitoba Works Yard, or police and fire facilities, to build awareness ...more »

  City Hall is the people’s building, and the City should hold opportunities for the public to visit different floors, explore different departments, and visit offices that they cannot normally access. An “Open Door” day in Vancouver could also include key pieces of city infrastructure such as the Southeast False Creek Neighbourhood Energy Utility, the Manitoba Works Yard, or police and fire facilities, to build awareness about the services people receive for their tax dollars. Open Door day should be free to the public and provide opportunities for venues in different neighbourhoods throughout Vancouver, for people of all ages to tour, ask questions, and gain a new understanding of how the city works. Efforts should be made to present some tours in languages other than English.

  - Engaged City Tasked Force Quick Start Idea #5

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  4 comments for Idea: Open the Doors to City Hall

  Submitted by City of Vancouver 27 days ago

• I agree

  18 votes

  This idea is active.
  Engaging with City Hall »

  Enhanced Notice of Planning Changes

  Providing an adequate period of time for the public to be notified of planning and development items on Council agendas is an important way to build greater understanding of public policy changes. Currently, council reports are posted 5 to 6 days in advance of meetings. The City should aim to increase this time, from a week and a half to two weeks. With more time to absorb the reports coming forward, there is a better ...more »

  Providing an adequate period of time for the public to be notified of planning and development items on Council agendas is an important way to build greater understanding of public policy changes. Currently, council reports are posted 5 to 6 days in advance of meetings. The City should aim to increase this time, from a week and a half to two weeks. With more time to absorb the reports coming forward, there is a better opportunity for dialogue, feedback, and avoidance of misunderstanding, as well as bolstering the public hearing process, which already provides extensive time and notification for citizen feedback.

  The Task Force recognizes that while some reports are straight forward and would not face barriers to being posted more than 5 to 6 days in advance, reports that require decisions within a certain timeframe may not be able to achieve the target.

  - Engaged City Tasked Force Quick Start Idea #10

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  1 comment for Idea: Enhanced Notice of Planning Changes

  Submitted by City of Vancouver 27 days ago

• I agree

  18 votes

  This idea is active.
  Neighbour to Neighbour »

  Random Acts of Kindness Campaign

  A campaign to encourage people to take a moment to leave their individual bubbles and be kind to each other. Whether it's opening a door for a stranger, helping a neighbour to the grocery store, giving your seat up on the bus or sharing a smile with a fellow runner on the seawall. It's a challenge to Vancouver residents to pass it on. A reminder that a little good can go a long way. It's our every day interactions ...more »

  A campaign to encourage people to take a moment to leave their individual bubbles and be kind to each other. Whether it's opening a door for a stranger, helping a neighbour to the grocery store, giving your seat up on the bus or sharing a smile with a fellow runner on the seawall.

  It's a challenge to Vancouver residents to pass it on. A reminder that a little good can go a long way.

  It's our every day interactions with each other that have the biggest effects on our citizens, children and visitors. In the case of Vancouver, it's our lack of interaction and common courtesy that currently leaves a lasting impression on each other. It's time to change that.

  I don't have specific for ways to shape the campaign. I'll leave that to the creative experts. For now, I wanted to share something that has struck me as strange since I moved here 7 years ago. I challenge us to better neighbours and people.

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  2 comments for Idea: Random Acts of Kindness Campaign

  Submitted by Community Member 26 days ago

• I agree

  17 votes

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  Voter Turnout »

  Neighbourhood Councillor Liaisons

  The city-wide election process prevents residents from formally having an identified go-to councillor for issues in their neighbourhood. The City should reinvigorate the Council liaison positions by requiring each councillor to represent specific neighbourhoods in Vancouver, and working with local organizations to hold one public event in their designated neighbourhoods per year, with a focus on enhancing knowledge of ...more »

  The city-wide election process prevents residents from formally having an identified go-to councillor for issues in their neighbourhood. The City should reinvigorate the Council liaison positions by requiring each councillor to represent specific neighbourhoods in Vancouver, and working with local organizations to hold one public event in their designated neighbourhoods per year, with a focus on enhancing knowledge of city services and processes, and connecting people to City Hall. There may be an opportunity for these liaisons to work through the rotating mini-City Halls to create regular engagement with a particular neighbourhood.

  - Engaged City Tasked Force Quick Start Idea #4

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  1 comment for Idea: Neighbourhood Councillor Liaisons

  Submitted by City of Vancouver 27 days ago

• I agree

  17 votes

  This idea is active.
  Voter Turnout »

  Let the kids vote!

  Lower the voting age to 16 so that students in social studies classes can apply what they are learning about civics.

  3 comments for Idea: Let the kids vote!

  Submitted by salrobinson 25 days ago

• I agree

  16 votes

  This idea is active.
  Neighbour to Neighbour »

  Map your neighbourhood - disaster preparedness

  In times of disaster (like an earthquake), your neighbours may be the only ones who can come to your aid - and vice versa. It is crucial for neighborhoods to be prepared to help each other in the aftermath of a disaster in which outside help may be days away. This award winning program not only teaches neighbours how to work together as a team but also helps them get to know each other's skills, assets and abilities. ...more »

  In times of disaster (like an earthquake), your neighbours may be the only ones who can come to your aid - and vice versa. It is crucial for neighborhoods to be prepared to help each other in the aftermath of a disaster in which outside help may be days away.

  This award winning program not only teaches neighbours how to work together as a team but also helps them get to know each other's skills, assets and abilities.

  The program is already being piloted in Dunbar and could be rolled out to other neighbourhoods.

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  Add your comment for Idea: Map your neighbourhood - disaster preparedness

  Submitted by Ann Pacey 25 days ago

• I agree

  14 votes

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  Neighbour to Neighbour »

  Community Bulletin Boards

  Bulletin boards at various central intersections, maintained by the neighbour somewhat like the greenscapes program. The City could also put notices up there of open houses, discussion groups etc.

  Someone would be responsible for dating and removing notices, with some spot maintenance by the City

  3 comments for Idea: Community Bulletin Boards

  Submitted by pbnoble 21 days ago

• I agree

  14 votes

  This idea is active.
  Neighbour to Neighbour »

  Community Kitchens

  A community kitchen is a place where people come together to cook and eat, and take home leftovers. Preparing food and eating together with your neighbors creates a great sense of community. It can also encourage healthier lifestyles and be economical for the participants. There is currently a community kitchen at Gordon Neighborhood House which always has a waiting list. Something about sharing food together nourishes ...more »

  A community kitchen is a place where people come together to cook and eat, and take home leftovers. Preparing food and eating together with your neighbors creates a great sense of community. It can also encourage healthier lifestyles and be economical for the participants. There is currently a community kitchen at Gordon Neighborhood House which always has a waiting list. Something about sharing food together nourishes people emotionally and brings them together. We are missing this in our busy fast food world. It would be great to have many community kitchens throughout Vancouver, so people can get to know their neighbors.

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  1 comment for Idea: Community Kitchens

  Submitted by lmsterr 22 days ago

• I agree

  13 votes

  This idea is active.
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  Switch IdeaScale to a custom URL

  Please switch this ideascale install to use a custom URL - http://ideascale.com/features/custom-url/

  If the CoV ever moves off this particular platform, then we can redirect the links on Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc. instead of having them lost.

  1 comment for Idea: Switch IdeaScale to a custom URL

  Submitted by Boris Mann 21 days ago

• I agree

  13 votes

  This idea is active.
  Engaging with City Hall »

  Citizen Academy

  Public participation at the city level can often be project base with no long term vision. Citizen Academies are where citizens engage with the city over a longer period and on an ongoing basis. Sessions would be taught not by academics but by city staff. Google Surrey's Transportation Lecture Program to see how this could be structured. Tweet me @pre_planner

  Add your comment for Idea: Citizen Academy

  Submitted by Brandon Yan 20 days ago

• I agree

  13 votes

  This idea is active.
  Neighbour to Neighbour »

  Block Clean Up Party

  Dedicate one or two days a year to promote city wide clean-up party. Vancouverites did so well working together cleaning up after the riots downtown and showing a lot of community spirit. Why not do it every year? Organized through schools and community centres this event could build strong communities and clean neighbourhoods. Everyone could benefit from a reminder to think before they throw garbage on the ground and ...more »

  Dedicate one or two days a year to promote city wide clean-up party. Vancouverites did so well working together cleaning up after the riots downtown and showing a lot of community spirit. Why not do it every year?

  Organized through schools and community centres this event could build strong communities and clean neighbourhoods. Everyone could benefit from a reminder to think before they throw garbage on the ground and be respectful of their surroundings.

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  Add your comment for Idea: Block Clean Up Party

  Submitted by Razdwa 12 days ago

• I agree

  12 votes

  This idea is active.
  Neighbour to Neighbour »

  Back Lane Clean up and country lanes add benches

  Have a grant for people to clean up their back lanes and instal "country lanes" and put gardens in the back lanes, have a by-law where garbage cans cannot be visible but must be tucked away. Make our lanes a secondary small "street" as they are in Europe to encourage tenants and others (Laneway house dwellers) to have an attractive street and location where they can gather. Also encourage boulevard gardens and benches ...more »

  Have a grant for people to clean up their back lanes and instal "country lanes" and put gardens in the back lanes, have a by-law where garbage cans cannot be visible but must be tucked away. Make our lanes a secondary small "street" as they are in Europe to encourage tenants and others (Laneway house dwellers) to have an attractive street and location where they can gather. Also encourage boulevard gardens and benches where people can gather. On my street the kids and parents sit on the curb and gather , I'm having a bench put in through a small neighborhood grant. It will encourage more to sit and chat and stay and get connected.

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  Add your comment for Idea: Back Lane Clean up and country lanes add benches

  Submitted by pbnoble 21 days ago

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