The future of the Stanley Park Farmyard is one of the first orders of business for the park board's fall session, which begins with a planning and environment committee meeting tomorrow, Sept. 9.

Also on the agenda is the Adanac Community Garden proposal and an item on a historical plaque for Victory Square downtown.

Vision Vancouver commissioner Raj Hundal told me last week that staff will update the committee as to whether it received any proposals of interest from groups anxious to take over the operation of the farmyard. Such a move would be similar to what happened with the Bloedel Conservatory.

Last November, the majority Vision Vancouver commissioners voted to close both facilities due to a shortfall in the park board's 2010 operating committee. In response to public protests, the board voted to seek proposals of interest from private operators willing to take on their operation. In the case of the conservatory, in July the park board accepted a proposal of interest from the VanDusen Botanical Garden Association in partnership with Friends of the Bloedel, a group formed in response to the possible closure.

In December, a group of residents started a Facebook page called Stop the Closure of Stanley Park Farmyard, which included a petition to save the popular attraction but no mention of a proposal of interest.

NPA commissioner Ian Robertson says before a final decision is made on the farmyard, he wants to be confident the board has done everything possible to save it. He adds in the case of the conservatory there were obvious reasons for low attendance, such as long-term construction and poor promotion.

"But I can't say that's the same for the farmyard," said Robertson. "In the case of the conservatory it was easy to see the Vision Vancouver caucus was wrong in its decision to close it, but I'm not sure the evidence is there to say the same thing about the farmyard."

Robertson said closing the farmyard will be a disappointment, but he added its demise could be the only alternative the board has if no private groups or companies step up.

Cycling for cancer

Today (Sept. 8) 42 cyclists on the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride will visit B.C. Children's Hospital at noon to inspire and be inspired, before starting their cross-country trek tomorrow to raise funds to fight children's cancer.

The cyclists include Siobhan McManus, a 24 year-old from Kelowna, who was inspired to ride after a friend's five-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer; 56-year-old grandmother Peggy Tobin from Prince George; and Sears employee Ken Cross, whose young daughter has cancer that was in remission last year but has since returned. Also joining the ride is 20-year-old Megan McNeil, a former Children's Hospital patient who is fighting cancer.

A public fundraiser for the hospital called the Inside Ride will also take place at the same time, which involves 30 to 50 volunteers in a stationary bike challenge.

The event takes place at noon today at B.C. Children's Hospital, 4480 Oak St. in the parking lot near the 28th Avenue and Oak entrance.

sthomas@vancourier.com