The Dude Chilling Park sign was installed in Guelph Park in Vancouver this morning.
The original piece of public artwork by Viktor Briestensky is a parody of city park signs and refers to a wooden sculpture of a reclining figure installed in the park in 1991.
The sign was taken down by park staff in November 2012, after being installed by the artist, but more than 1,800 people signed a petition calling for its return.
“When he installed the sign it captured the sense of fun around this neighbourhood,” said petitioner Dustin Bromley. “And when I originally made the petition it was in the same vein of fun, but then I saw the amazing support from the neighbourhood and it inspired me and it made me want to keep going with this.”
However, some residents are not happy about the decision to install the sign.
“We don’t need a silly stupid sign,” said Leona, who lives nearby.
“Dude Chilling to me, and to other people I’ve known here for years, I’ve lived here for 26 years, that’s what they’re saying, that it indicates drug dealing and drug use.”
She said it is very frustrating.
“And it’s a waste of taxpayer’s money. To waste the whole day doing this,” added Leona. “When they could be doing other things, there’s graffiti in this park, there’s garbage every day, there’s the drinking, and it’s been going on for over 20 years that I’m aware of.”
She said she would rather the Park Board direct their attentions to keeping the park clean and not let people hang around and drink in the park.
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