Deutscher Platz

In honour of EXPO '86, Grace McCarthy, the Minister of Transportation at the time, contacted all multicultural groups in Vancouver, to construct garden-like areas along the brand new Sky Train route.  In the German 

Community, the German-Canadian Congress founded a working group known as the "Parkway Committee", who pursued this idea with a great deal of initiative and enthusiasm. The next step was fundraising.

Through the intense hard work & commitment of all committee members, they were able to collect generous dona­tions  in BC as well as in Germany in a very short period of time. Thanks to the German-speaking population in Vancouver, comprised of associa­tions, corporations, churches, schools and the media, the space was created. The "Platz" was built after a model that adapted ideas of a design provided by landscape architect G. Edel. The GERMAN CANADIAN HERITAGE PLAZA was born. Once the construction was complete, Axel Hoyer began laying out the garden. Ebco, "Eppich brothers" made the plaques and had the donor names engraved at no charge. Goetz Lange-Michels donated the log; Mr. Hammerl from Armstrong carved the logo free of charge. The opening ceremonies took place on June 29, 1986. V.I.P.'s and about 2,000 enthusiastic partici­pants attended. The GERMAN community had created a memorial, which was seen to be deserving symbol of the contributions of GER­MAN immigrants, with positive recognition from the CANADIAN public. The donations, to maintain and upkeep the space, lasted for 6 years. With time, it fell into obscurity. In August 1992, Ursula and Eugen Neubert invited all former Committee Members to discuss the upkeep of the space and to raise donations for this purpose, resulting in the creation of the GERMAN CANADIAN  HERITAGE PLAZA COMITTEE. This working group is an independent, non-prof­it society, which, assumes the responsibility of maintaining the space and carries out these responsibilities based on jointly established regulations, on behalf of the German-speaking public, . Every year, a different association of the Board takes over as Chair, in order to keep the distribution of duties dynamic and current.  In previous years, all of the goodwill and intentions could only be realized through the drive, initiative and support of associations, corporations and individ­uals. Evidence of this enthusiasm has been seen annually since October 3rd, 1992. The "Tag der Deutschen Einheit" (German Unity Day) is celebrated in festive solidarity and joy at the GERMAN CANADIAN HERTIGE PLAZA. This can only continue, if it has the full and well meaning support of all interested parties and fellow citizens for this project. In this way the PLAZA can be kept presentable, and one of three important memorials of German-speaking immigrants,  such as the GERMAN FOUNTAIN at the Queen Elisabeth Theatre and the Friendship Globe in Dundarave Park. This group has done an exemplary job with the upkeep and maintenance of the GERMAN CANADIAN HERITAGE PLAZA. This has been met with a lot of recognition and appreciation from the public, in neigh­bourhoods and participating government offices, especially since only 3 of the 19 ethnic places along the Sky Train route still exist.  The dedication and commitment of our group has also garnered special recognition in the fact, that, after long and difficult negotiations with the  City of Vancouver, the PARKS BOARD offered us a very fair lease. This includes them taking on many of the maintenance duties along with the guarantee of the continuation thereof. In September 2002 the final version of the document with regard to the foreseeable future was signed by both parties. Based on this contract, the gardens were freshly planted in 2003. The old log, including the name of the plaza and the eagle coat of arms, which had been carved into the log, were upgraded with a large  contemporary plaque, much easier to take care of.   On October 2nd, 2011 we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the GERMAN CANADIAN HERITAGE PLAZA. By special request we invited all German-speaking groups and ethnic communi­ties to participate and celebrate the anniversary with us.  For the future we await a great deal of support from all sides, along with the participation from the general public.     

Next year, we are looking forward to celebrating 30 Years  and plan to invite the community to join us for a special celebration once again.  We hope to see you all there there.

Eugen Neubert/ Kristina Breit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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