The City of Nelson is planning to create a park in a downtown block-long green space.
If it were not so steep, the area would be a street connecting Baker and Victoria Streets. A pedestrian staircase runs the length of the right-of-way, which is not officially a park but sometimes called Hendryx Park or Forest Garden Park.
Mayor Janice Morrison told the Nelson Star that the plan is to do an upgrade similar to the 2017 makeover of IODE Park, which is also located in a steep transition between Herridge Lane and Victoria Street.
She said a draft park plan for Hendryx Street will be brought to council in the next couple of months but in the meantime city crews are cleaning up the land.
Since 2012 Nelson resident Brenton Raby, whose house is adjacent to the right-of-way, has held an licence with the City of Nelson to occupy the park.
No money exchanged hands between Raby and the city in connection with this licence. He told the Nelson Star he took on the regular task of picking up garbage and shovelling snow from the sidewalk.
But he says he also planted bulbs and shrubs, and installed a water fountain, picnic table, seating, and historical photos. Some of this was done with contribution from the Columbia Basin Trust, but just as often it was at his own expense.
In 2023 Raby opened a coffee shop, Ohmy Ice Cream, at his house, accessible from the Hendryx Street stairway. On Dec. 16, 2024, the space was occupied by Brandi's Place, a coffee shop to serve Nelson's vulnerable and unhoused population.
On Dec. 20, Raby says he received a notice that the city would not be renewing his license to look after the park.
Morrison said these two almost simultaneous events are unrelated. The city, she said, has been considering what to do with the area for some time now.
"We have the opportunity now to be going in there ... to create a safe, publicly accessible area."
She pointed out that Brandi's Place is still operating. The café is currently running under a temporary lease that ends March 31.