Homeless in Vancouver: Chessboard empire

The small island community (traffic island to be precise) at Ontario Street and 18th Avenue—home to most famous open air chessboard in Vancouver—may, or may not, be getting ready to declare it’s independence from the rest of the city of Vancouver.

On a recent ride-by of the little park, I certainly saw unmistakable signs of the area’s growing independent spirit.

The royal family of Ontario and 18th

There were the two royals I saw out on a walkabout.

Their Royal Highnesses, like royalty everywhere, appeared two-dimensional and fixed in their ways.

But, even though they regarded me blankly as I rode by, their round open faces struck me as friendly.

Usually the writing is on the wall

And there was that fact that the residents had begun to take over their streets.

Not content with just having the bees and the trees in their little chessboard park, residents had gone ahead and greened a blocks-worth of asphalt where 18th Avenue intersects with Ontario Street.

That certainly seems revolutionary to me.

We’ll just have to wait and see if they start flying their own flag.