Vision Vancouver has released its park board platform, following COPE's release of its park board policy on Nov. 3. And NPA park board candidate Melissa De Genova arrived at a Nov. 10 park board debate with copies of the NPA's park board action plan in hand, printed on a handbill the size of a greeting card.

De Genova said she is proud of her party's unified stance, something she said her opponents lack.

"What I find disappointing is because COPE, Vision and Green are running as an alliance, they have three different platforms. If they can't come together and meet on the same platform, then is this allegiance going to be volatile when and if some or all of the candidates are elected?" she said. "I'm finding it a little hard to digest that all of the different platforms seem to be so far apart from each other. I'm not really seeing any convergence."

"There's nothing wrong with having a difference of opinion," countered Vision Vancouver park board candidate Aaron Jasper, who helped put together Vision's park board platform. "Even within [De Genova's] own party, I think it's a bit disingenuous for her to say that there's unity on her side."

Jasper added that he had seen non-incumbent NPA park board candidates waffle on issues in previous debates that hinted at their support for Vision and COPE initiatives. Of a recent COPE motion to explore a policy for buying Canadian products that was struck down by the NPA, Jasper said NPA park board candidate Sharon Urton didn't seem to agree with her own party.

"Sharon Urton was uncomfortable and made comment to that [motion]," said Jasper. "I would beg to differ with Melissa if there's complete unanimity on their side."

COPE and Vision's park board platforms intersect on a number of points, including their shared interest in improving the public consultation process, implementing an ethical purchasing policy, and establishing long-term licenses for new and existing farmers' market locations. Vision makes a unique case for initiating a Green Audit to assess park and recreation facilities, and COPE's policy includes a call for the use of bikes and electric vehicles for park maintenance.

The NPA's five-point park board action plan calls to support community centre renewal, increase the number of all-weather playing fields, keep parks safe and accessible, support fitness in Vancouver, and support park upgrades.

De Genova admitted that she had not yet seen the contents of Vision's park board policy. Due to the Olympic Village controversy dominating the past week, Vision released the policy later than planned.

Jackie Wong reports for the <a href="http://www.westender.com" rel="external">Westender.