VANCOUVER PARKS – iPHONE APPLICATION
FIND MORE THEN 200 PARKS ON YOUR iPHONE
The Vancouver Parks app provides an easy way for locals and tourists to find information about the City of Vancouver’s park system.
The app features all of the more than 200 city parks on a geographically displayed map and provides the user with the option of using your current location to find parks in your immediate surroundings.
Each park has its own page which provides a list of its amenities and/or facilities, photos, address and a way for you, the park user, to provide feedback either by e-mail or phoning 311 – all while on the go.
(more…)
VANCOUVER PARKS – 450 BEACH CRESCENT – GEORGE WAINBORN PARK
GEORGE WAINBORN PARK …. YALETOWN …. AND THE OCEAN BEYOND
This beautiful 2.49 hectare park was announced Vancouver’s newest jewel of waterfront parks. The George Wainborn Park is located downtown, off Pacific Boulevard at the foot of Richards Street and boasts formal and informal spaces, expansive lawns, a dramatic water feature and spectacular views of False Creek and the city. The park is named for Vancouver’s longest serving Park Board Commissioner, George Wainborn. George Wainborn contributed to the City’s parks and recreation system for 33 years between 1956 and 1990. Among his many accomplishments he was a leader in the creation of Stanley Park’s Miniature Railway, played a key role in starting the Carol Ships program, and initiated lighting of the magnificent grove of elm trees on Beach Avenue at Bidwell each Christmas season. A recipient of the Freedom of the City in 1991 and Order of Canada in 1999, he died in September 2003. George Wainborn Park opened in 2004 at a cost of $5.1 million.
In July 2006 a 40 foot tall wind sculpture entitled “Khenko” was installed at the bottom of the park. It was designed and built by artist Doug Taylor and was a gift from Concord Pacific Group Inc. dedicated to British Columbia’s former Lieutenant Governor, David Lam. “Khenko” is a Coast Salish word for “heron” and the sculpture celebrates the return of this bird species to the once industrialized False Creek.
MOUNT SEYMOUR PROVINCIAL PARK – VANCOUVER
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN MAGNIFICENT SNOW CAPPED MOUNTAINS AND BREATHTAKING VIEWS OF VANCOUVER, THE ISLANDS AND THE VALLEY.
ABOUT MT. SEYMOUR
Located just 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver, Mount Seymour Provincial Park has been enjoyed by generations of Lower Mainland residents. The park offers viewpoints overlooking the city of Vancouver and east over Indian Arm Provincial Park. There are opportunities for bird and wildlife viewing and four areas for day-use picnicking are available. There are several lakes in the park with Elsay Lake being the largest. Its waters and those of De Pencier, Gopher and Goldie drain eastward to Indian Arm. Some of the smaller lakes and ponds feed their waters west to the Seymour River. Mount Seymour rises to to a summit of 1,449 m (4,754 ft) and the park size is 3508 hectares.
Visitors will find many trails of various lengths and difficulty. Lower mountain trails are used extensively by mountain bikers and hikers, while upper mountain trails are restricted to hiking. Winter trails are put in place Mid-December thru March 31 each year. Winter snowshoe trails and ski trails marked by BC Parks do not require a permit or pass. The park also offers extensive winter recreation facilities including skiing, snowshoeing and a supervised snow play area operated by Mount Seymour Resorts. Mount Seymour also offers a multitude of activities for summer recreationalists, include, hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and mountain biking. (more…)
STANLEY PARK HALLOWEEN GHOST TRAIN – 2011
TRICK OR TREAT, HOLD ON TO YOUR SEAT!
Step right up and witness death-defying acts of human daredevilry on the Stanley Park Halloween Ghost Train. The Circus of Disaster is a must-do Halloween event for young families with the right mix of fear and fun. So get out of the rain and hop on the train! The Stanley Park Ghost Train is fully covered and protected from the rainy and windy autumn nights. It is a low-cost family fun and for the price of a train ticket, riders can also enjoy face painting, crafts, pumpkin carving, costume contest and the Haunted Maze.
You will witness the Circus of Disaster. The Ghost Train is re-invented every year with a new scary theme by the creative team at Mortal Coil. Riders can enjoy the splendor of Stanley Park while being spooked by the Circus of Disaster. The circus show will unfold before your very eyes. Experience the death defying excitement of risking life and limb! But beware of the Bearded Lady… she might entangle you in her malevolent mane!
SECOND BEACH – STANLEY PARK
HISTORY OF SECOND BEACH
Second Beach is located half way between English Bay and Third Beach along the west coast of Stanley Park and is one of Vancouver’s most popular beaches. A favourite with Vancouver pioneers when in the 1880s this was the beach to go to for church social, family groups and of course, to cool off. This was also the site of the city’s first draw & fill pool; an outer concrete wall with huge locking gates, captured the water at high tide. After a few days the water was warmer and made for lovely swimming. At the end of each week the pool gates were opened at low tide releasing the week’s supply sort of water and making ready for the next high tide of clean, cool water. In 1995 the old pool, which failed to meet new health standards, was replaced by a new, graduated depth, heated pool. It is a beautiful facility attracting length swimmers, casual dippers and children alike. Second Beach is a beautiful, sunny, small sandy beach that is the most child and family friendly beach in Stanley Park. It has two large and fun children playgrounds and provides picnic and BBQ facilities for families.
WHISTLER AREA – BC
LIFE IN AND AROUND WHISTLER, BC ….
Whistler is a Canadian resort town in the southern Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains in the province of British Columbia, Canada, approximately 125 kilometres (78 mi) north of Vancouver. Incorporated as the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), it has a permanent population of approximately 9,965, plus a larger but rotating “transient” population of workers, typically younger people from beyond BC, notably from Australia and Europe. Over two million people visit Whistler annually, primarily for alpine skiing and mountain biking at Whistler-Blackcomb. Its pedestrian village has won numerous design awards and Whistler has been voted among the top destinations in North America by major ski magazines since the mid-1990s. During the 2010 Winter Olympics, Whistler hosted most of the alpine, Nordic, luge, skeleton, and bobsled events, though freestyle skiing and all snowboarding events were hosted at Cypress Mountain near Vancouver.
CULTUS LAKE WATER PARK
Cultus Lake Waterpark is the leader in the waterpark industry on the West Coast. Whether you are on vacation or just taking a much needed break, watersliding is a great recreational activity. It is a family oriented park which provides their guests with rides for all ages. And for you thrill seekers, they have some of the most extreme waterslides. With all of the great attractions and continued expansion, you need to come out and see for yourself why Cultus Lake Waterpark is BC’s #1 waterpark.
KLAHOWYA VILLAGE AND SPIRIT CATCHER TRAIN IN STANLEY PARK
KLAHOWYA IS A CHINOOK WORD MEANING “WELCOME.”
This summer, be sure to experience the Klahowya Village and the Spirit Catcher Train on your trip to iconic Stanley Park. Vancouver’s newest attraction is an authentic celebration of remarkable Aboriginal cultures, traditions and peoples. The Spirit Catcher Train is a narrated journey with live performers telling the story of the ‘Raven Saves the Sun’. Spend an hour or an afternoon at Klahowya Village enjoying colourful authentic Aboriginal culture through song, dance, art and cuisine.
MAPLEWOOD FARM – NORTH VANCOUVER
THE HISTORY OF MAPLEWOOD FARM
In the early 1900′s Mr. Akiyo Kogo first discovered this idyllic little spot nestled at the foot of Mount Seymour on the banks of the Seymour River. He could not have known then that this land would be the last remaining farm on Vancouver’s North Shore.
During the twenties, the farm developed into a thriving dairy, delivering fresh milk and cream to customers from Deep Cove to Lonsdale for almost three decades.
By 1970, agriculture had all but disappeared from North Vancouver but luckily the farm land came under the protection of the District Parks Department, being preserved for future generations to enjoy a truly rural experience in our ever expanding urban area.
Officially opened to the public in 1975, and now home to over 200 domestic animals and birds, Maplewood Farm strives to provide a unique experience, incorporating enjoyment, education and a recollection of the rural heritage of this pastoral 5 acre setting.
BURNABY VILLAGE MUSEUM
TRANSPORT YOURSELF TO THE 1920S
Experience Heritage – Stroll down the streets of a 1920s village exploring at your own pace. The village is a combination of heritage and replica buildings on a 10-acre site that represents at typical tram-stop community along the B.C. Electric Railway. Period costumed townsfolk welcome visitors and give demonstrations in the homes, businesses and shops. Popular stops include the blacksmith, the print shop, the garden at the farmhouse and the General Store.
VANCOUVER AQUARIUM
Some Facts
• The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre is a self-supporting, non-profit association dedicated to effecting the conservation of aquatic life through display and interpretation, education, research and direct action.
(more…)
VANDUSEN BOTANICAL GARDENS – FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS – VANCOUVER
VANDUSEN GARDENS – FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS – VANCOUVER’S ANNUAL TRADITION
