A Greater Victoria organization dedicated to creating community, celebrated it’s 100,000th book and official designation of Placemaking Day in some communities Saturday (July 20).
Dozens of placemakers from across the region gathered in Saanich’s Rutledge Park to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network (GVPN). As part of the celebration, the network delivered the 100,000th book of the Pocket Places Project to the little free library in the park.
The network invited the public to submit titles for the momentous occasion, and Hand Drawn Victoria by Canadian artist and author Emma FitzGerald was selected.
Led by volunteer Teale Phelps Bondaroff, since 2017, the GVPN has spearheaded the project that promotes, maps, builds and stocks the book boxes across the region. Little free libraries operate on the principle of leave a book – take a book. To date, the project has mapped out 848 libraries across the region and helped set up and build more than 121.
"The magic of little free libraries is that they function as a sort of catalyst, igniting other forms of placemaking that foster connections,” said GVPN volunteer Molly Rose. “One LFL near my apartment now has a chalk board and bench beside it. I've seen others with fairy gardens or toys for kids at their base. They start as LFLs, but it's hard to stop there once people see how frequently they are visited.”
The non-profit GVPN itself was founded in 2013 with the goal of inspiring people, neighbourhoods, and communities to create vibrant public places that promote health, happiness, and well-being.
During the Saturday event, the GVPN shared official proclamations which dedicated July 20 ‘Placemaking Day’ in Victoria, Saanich and Esquimalt. The three municipalities acknowledged that placemaking enhances quality of life by collectively reimaging and reinventing public spaces as the head of every community.
“Placemaking is about bringing people together in order to collaborate to create great public places,” president Ray Straatsma said. “For 10 years, the GVPN has been advocating for and implementing placemaking throughout the region, with multiple partners. We are excited to be celebrating our 10th anniversary, along with long-time supporters and participants in the local placemaking community.”
