![Bright blue picnic tables added to Vancouver Art Gallery's North Plaza](https://dpdajlq3ew794.cloudfront.net/20200706160538/vancouver-art-gallery-north-plaza-picnic-tables-3.jpg?format=auto&width=1920)
One of the Central Business District’s largest public spaces has just received a colourful yet functional addition.
The Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association (DVBIA) has acquired and installed eight picnic tables to the North Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery, on the West Georgia Street side of the building.
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Andrew Nakazawa with the DVBIA says the organization first pitched the idea to the municipal government in May as a way of activating the plaza during a summer that will see all large events and festivals cancelled.
Instead, the picnic tables — complementing the plaza’s existing street furniture — provides the public with another location to eat their lunch, get some sun, or rest.
![vancouver art gallery north plaza picnic tables](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200706160535/vancouver-art-gallery-north-plaza-picnic-tables-4.jpg)
New picnic tables at the North Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery. (Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association)
All of the tables were custom built by Vancouver-based The Great Canadian Picnic Table company to encourage physical distancing. The 14-ft-long tables are configured into two rows with a seating gap in the middle section, allowing two groups to sit safely at one table.
Temporary signs on the tables will remain until an order for touchless hand sanitizers arrie and are mounted on each table.
The tables have been highly used, ever since they were ready for public use on Saturday.
Last month, White Rock City Council also approved a street furniture expenditure of $10,000 for up to 20 picnic tables on the waterfront and other public spaces. Another $2,500 is being provided by the local business improvement association, with the same company also supplying the tables.
![vancouver art gallery north plaza picnic tables](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200706160542/vancouver-art-gallery-north-plaza-picnic-tables-1.jpg)
New picnic tables at the North Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery. (Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association)
![vancouver art gallery north plaza picnic tables](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200706160540/vancouver-art-gallery-north-plaza-picnic-tables-2.jpg)
New picnic tables at the North Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery. (Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association)
![vancouver art gallery north plaza picnic tables](https://images.dailyhive.com/20200706160532/vancouver-art-gallery-north-plaza-picnic-tables-5.jpg)
New picnic tables at the North Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery. (Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association)