SkyTrain Mark I as Public Art in Langley City

As you may know, TransLink is retiring the Mark I SkyTrain fleet, which entered service in the 1980s. TransLink put out a notice back in the fall of 2024 saying they have a process in place for people or organizations that would want to get one of these retiring cars for free, with the remaining going to be scrapped.

This piqued interest among some members of Langley City’s Arts, Recreation, Culture & Heritage Committee, who put together a detailed proposal to acquire one of the Mark I cars and turn it into an iconic public art installation in our Downtown.

This piece of public art would be functional and celebrate our transit heritage. Langley Prairie (the old name of Langley City) was a major stop on the Interurban transit line back in the day, and with SkyTrain coming, it makes a lot of sense to celebrate transit, which shaped and continues to shape our community.

The SkyTrain car would also become a landmark and gathering place for the community. The idea would be to convert the interior of the Mark I car into a usable space that could host a pop-up shop, art gallery, or cafe.

As for location, there are a few options, such as at Innes Corners Plaza or the Langley City Centre SkyTrain station, though nothing has been finalized. There is an active railcar restoration and handperson community here, and there are already folks who are interested in volunteering to transform one of these Mark I cars.

Langley City has a public art fund that could help cover some of the costs of this project. While there is more work to do before this project becomes a reality, Langley City Council supported this public art concept in principle on Monday night.

I really look forward to seeing how this proposal will take shape, and I am very excited about this grassroots effort to transform a Mark I SkyTrain car.

For more information, please read the full proposal.

Langley City Has a New Accesiblity Plan

Last night, Langley City Council adopted a new 10-year accessibility plan for our community. This plan is required under provincial law and builds on the previous work done in the City over the last 20 years.

Langley City’s Accessible Plan outlines objectives to improve accessibility in the City’s built form, such as parks, sidewalks, and housing, service delivery, communication, and internal processes, such as hiring and procurement.

Some of the objectives include:

• Review the City’s public washrooms from an accessibility lens.
• Improve the accessibility of City parks, plazas, paths, and playgrounds.
• Strengthen the pedestrian network.
• Develop an accessible parking strategy.
• Ensure that there are recreation programs that are accessible for blind and visually impaired people.
• Ensure that there are recreation programs that are accessible for Deaf, deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind people.
• Ensure that any construction detours, including the moving of bus stops is advertised on the City’s website and social media.
• Ensure local representation of people with disabilities in City communications materials.
• Improve staff competency related to accessibility and disability, including disability awareness and understanding of barriers that people face due to physical or cognitive disabilities.

There are 29 objectives in total. Learn more by reading the full report.

This new plan would not have been possible without the contributions of people with disabilities. There is a saying nothing for us, without us. The plan has short-term, medium-term, and long-term objectives. Council approved this new accessible plan yesterday evening.

The next step will be for Langley City staff, with support from the Accessibility Advisory Committee, to update the City's current policies and other work plans. Some objectives will have financial implication and will be included in future budgets for Council to consider.

Langley City FIFA World Cup Public Watch Parties

Langley City is hosting four free watch parties during the World Cup. These are family-friendly, alcohol-free watch parties with a food truck, entertainment, and crafts. There will be a large screen at Civic Plaza at Timms Community Centre.

The dates and times are as follows:

June 18: FIFA Canada vs Qatar
Pre-Game Starts: 2:15pm
Game: 3:00pm

July 2 FIFA Round of 32 Game: Round of 32 – Teams TBA
Pre-Game Starts: 7:15pm
Game: 8:00pm

July 7 FIFA Round of 16 Game: Teams TBA
Pre-Game: 12:15pm
Game : 1:00pm

July 19 FIFA Final Game: Teams TBA
Pre-Game: 11:15am
Game Starts: Noon

For more information, please visit Langley City’s website.

Langley City’s Community Day, This Saturday!

One of Langley City’s biggest events of the year, Community Day, is happening this Saturday, June 13th, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm at Douglas Park. Back by popular demand is the zipline along Douglas Crescent!

There will be live music throughout Community Day at Spirit Square, including acts such as Carmelina Cupo, Sons of Stanley, Bad Medicine, Mostly Marley, Jackson Hollow, and the party band What's Next.

There will also be all-ages, kid-friendly activities such as interactive play, mini-golf, inflatable bouncy houses, bungee, and an obstacle course. This will be a sensory-friendly zone to support people with autism.

For the foodie in you, the Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival will be on-site along with a beer garden. There will also be an artisan market.

Science World on the Road will be at Community Day with different shows at 1:00pm, 2:00pm, and 3:30pm.

Community Day was started back in the day as a way for people to connect with the various community organizations that help support building a strong community. There will be over 70 community-based organizations that you can talk with and learn more about.

The best way to get to Community Day is to walk, bike, or take transit. There will be free, secure, and monitored bike parking. I look forward to seeing you this Saturday!