Pete Fry

For Vancouver

Category: VANCOUVER

  • Kamandi – The Last Font on Earth!

    Kamandi – The Last Font on Earth!

    As a young boy, my absolute favourite comic-book was a Jack Kirby penned, DC published epic: The story of Kamandi – The Last Boy on Earth!

    Bascially, sort of a Planet of the Apes rip-off, a post-apocalyptic nuclear wasteland, with young protagonist Kamandi as the last surviving teenager on the burnt out husk of a planet, now populated by talking animals of all sorts. I later grew to fully appreciate Kirby’s visual style and it became a huge influence on my own illustration work.

    I created this typeface many years ago for a series of gig posters, as tribute to the comic title. I dug it out of the crates and am releasing it into the wild as an Illustrator eps download

    Enjoy.

    (If you use it, please send me a sample!)

  • Vancouver Park Board and the Dog Strategy Task Force

    Vancouver Park Board and the Dog Strategy Task Force

    In September, 2006, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation announced the formation of an all-volunteer task force, made up of citizens with proven expertise in specific areas of stakeholder interest and concern.

    Members were charged with the task of developing a strategy that would be a balanced compromise respecting and accommodating all sides of the issue, and all legitimate uses for the public lands.

    Through 2006 and 2007, I sat as one of the six members of that task force. I must confess to being something of a Pollyanna going into the process, I genuinely thought we would be crafting policies that would make things better for everyone – I had no idea the extent to which some Vancouverites had an intense dislike for dogs and their owners, to the extent that they wanted a complete moratorium on off leash areas.

    The task force ended rather acromoniously and the media branded it a failure, although I am happy to say that many of the recommendations we suggested then, have been adopted into official policy today.

    This blog will unpack some of the work we did and explore some options for improving the opportunities for dog owners and non dog owners alike to enjoy and share Vancouver’s Park System.

    Our 2007 report – the findings of the Task Force and the recommendations and action plans suggested by a majority of its members (with the help and input from literally hundreds of concerned and caring Vancouverites) – can be dowloaded and read here.

    Here’s what I wrote in my application to join the task force, back in 2006:

    My name is Pete Fry. I have lived in Vancouver my entire life, I am
    actively involved in my community, I’m a home owner, taxpayer, dog owner and park user.

    I have enjoyed the company and therapeutic benefits of dogs since I was

    a child. I do occasional volunteer work with the City of Vancouver

    Animal Shelter and own a shelter rescue dog, that I exercise regularly

    in Strathcona Park. As I am active and approachable in both my

    neighbourhood and the dog community, I have had the opportunity to

    glean a great deal of insight into the divergent views on urban dogs;

    from dog owners to park workers to street people to sports players to

    parents to new Canadians.

    I have more than a passing interest and insight into urban development and sustainability.

    I am well aware of the pressure on our urban parks, with a dwindling

    supply of land and growing population of both humans and dogs vying for

    a finite amount of green space. Like many urbanites, I do not own a car

    – and in that context appreciate the need for accessible amenities for

    all citizens to enjoy – be it for sports, play, dogs or just enjoying

    the fresh air and flowers.

    Over the years, and in conversation with other dog owners and park

    users, I have developed some of my own ideas and concepts towards

    mitigating some of the expressed concerns, and mollifying some of the

    escalating tension over our parks. This task force would seem to be the

    perfect forum to present some of these initiatives, which include:

    – specifically designed, designated and appropriately landscaped “dog

    toilet” areas.

    – specific collection and re-use of dog waste in an environmentally

    responsible manner.

    – public education about dogs and the basics of their behaviour, with

    specifically targeted programs for new Canadians, many of whom are not

    familiar with urban dogs as pets.

    – considering the specific needs of dogs in establishing off leash

    areas, with regard to proximity to playgrounds, sports fields,

    skateboard bowls, etc, and how more dog facilities might be established

    with less space.

    – developing a strategy that anticipates the growth in homeless

    population with dogs, and recognizes the therapeutic benefits dogs

    provide to marginalized people.

    In my professional capacity, I am a 37 year old self-employed graphic

    artist, and as such am used to committee work and consensus building,

    for both public sector and corporate clientele, on a variety of

    budgets. My work allows me to tailor my schedule as need be the case to

    facilitate involvement in your committee.

    I hope you consider me for involvement in your task force. In any

    event, though, I would love to present some of my ideas in more detail.

    If you would like more information about me or references, please don’t

    hesitate to contact me.

    – license system where obedience gets discount (or non-obd pay more)

    – dog toilets

    – dog waste compost

    – dog play facillites, adventure playground

    – lockable, gated dog ‘sub-parks’

    – public dog education

    – dogs in other parks during off-season