On Saturday, July 20, the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network (GVPN) -- a non-profit group dedicated to improving the region’s shared spaces -- will celebrate its 10th anniversary and 100,000th book at Rutledge Park in Saanich.
"The GVPN 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," said the volunteer-run non-profit in a release.
Some of the group's past initiatives include building community gardens, painting street murals and facilitating street events. It also created the Pocket Places Project, which helps map, construct and stock little free libraries in Greater Victoria. To date, it has mapped 848 library boxes and built 121 others.
At the anniversary event, the group will deliver the 100,000th book of the Pocket Places Project to Rutledge Park’s little free library.
"This milestone reflects our community's passion for placemaking, books and literacy,” said Pocket Places Project lead Teale Phelps Bondaroff.
To celebrate everything the group has done to make Greater Victoria a better place, the City of Victoria’s mayor Marianne Alto has proclaimed July 20 Placemaking Day.
