Dear Editor:
I would like to offer my comments regarding the Harmony Arts Festival this year eliminating vehicle traffic along Argyle Avenue for the duration of the 10-day festival.
West Vancouver council has agreed to restrict this small two-block street between 14th and 16th streets south of Bellevue and create a pedestrian-only walkway for the festival.
Several years ago, I spoke to Richard Berg, the festival organizer, about the lack of safety for pedestrians along Argyle during Harmony Arts with parallel parking allowed for the two sections of approximately two dozen parking spots. Vehicles backing out of those parking spots created a great risk for hitting someone walking behind the vehicle. The large crowds walking about on Argyle meant that any car travelling along the one-way street had to crawl along to John Lawson Park and most often there would be no parking spaces anyway. At that time, it seemed it would be impossible to restrict this area from vehicle use.
I am glad that the organization has gone ahead with a new format of having the craft tents along Argyle for the festival. I'm sure there will be complaints about this, but I for one am very glad to see this happening this year.
We all need to have public safety at the top of the list for any crowd event, and this year's festival has certainly gone a long way to ensure just that.
Wendy Alden North Vancouver
