**a meet-up with the VPD mounted squad.** *(Photos Courtesy of Cycling Without Age Vancouver)*

by Jacqui Birchall
(click images to enlarge)

CYCLING WITHOUT AGE
A Special Outing For Seniors

I'm delighted to share this information on Cycling Without Age. I wish I had found them sooner. Cycling Without Age Vancouver is an amazing organization that gives seniors the joy of riding a trishaw (a play on the word rickshaw), a tricycle fitted with a seat for two passengers and powered by a fit, able pilot, aka a very able rider. The trishaws are electric pedal-assisted.

Their website (see Related Links below) says that “everyone deserves to feel the wind in their hair. Connecting seniors and volunteers through the joy of cycling, conversation, and community.”

In the West End, these rides can take seniors on the Stanley Park Seawall or through Stanley Park’s beautiful trails, spots not easily accessible to many seniors.

Cycling Without Age Vancouver adds that most passengers are seniors aged 70 to 100, with an average age in the 80s; the eldest is 108! With many living in care homes where limited mobility and time spent indoors can lead to isolation and declining physical and mental health, the rides offer a simple remedy: fresh air, movement and human connection that helps seniors feel engaged and part of the community. Their work supports Vancouver’s Age-Friendly Action Plan and Older Persons Strategic Framework, promoting inclusion, connection, and healthy aging across the city.

In the West End, the organization works with Haro Park Centre, but seniors or their families who do not live in care can arrange their own trips.

**A unique and relaxing way to visit nature.**

In a conversation with executive director Jake Winn, I learned that there are also Community Rides that run along the False Creek Seawall, Granville Island, Kitsilano and West Point Grey, Jericho Beach and Spanish Banks, Stanley Park, English Bay, Pacific Spirit Park, the Arbutus Greenway, Queen Elizabeth Park, and more.

Jake told me there is a ride for everyone. Some folks want peace and quiet; others want the vibrancy of the busy seawall. The rides are barrier-free and accessible on the road seven days a week. We discussed the magic of forest bathing on the Stanley Park trails.

Jake shares that while 80 to 95 percent of their clients are with senior organizations, only five percent of seniors live in care. Community rides are geared to seniors who live independently. They choose lovely locations, and folks sign up online and pay a donation - $20 is suggested. A group or family can reserve three trishaws. All alone? No worries. Say you would like to share your trishaw.

**A PARADE OF HAPPY TRISHAW RIDERS EXPLORING THE PARK.**

The ride season is from May to October; each session lasts about one hour: a 45-minute ride plus 15 minutes for boarding and unloading. The website explains that all passengers must be able to transfer to the trishaw seat independently or with family assistance. We encourage friends and family to join us for the ride. We require all passengers to sign a liability waiver prior to the ride. All rides start and end at the designated gathering location. They choose accessible locations, but do not provide parking or do drop-offs at other locations.

Cycling Without Age is a worldwide movement. There are thousands of chapters, taking many forms; some are national initiatives and some are very small, one-bike organizations.

The Vancouver branch was established in 2018, and funding comes from diverse sources: private donations, grants, and a small percentage of earned revenue.

There is no lack of volunteers. They had 200 applications last year, over 250 this year!

FIRST NATIONS ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
Mark George At Second Beach

Welcome, Mark George of Tsleil-Waututh Nation, as he begins his artist residency in the A-Frame Fieldhouse at Second Beach in Stanley Park. You will find it beside Ceperley Park.

**stanley park’s new artist in residence, mark george.** *(Jacqui Birchall Photo)*

With more than 40 years of carving experience, Mark will share Tsleil-Waututh cultural teachings through "Open Bench" sessions at the A-Frame.

Mark is an absolute delight to chat with. His residency is for four years and he is very excited to be in the park.

The day I visited Mark he displayed beautiful whale themed mirror frames. He gave a very large one to the missing children exhibit when it was beside the art gallery and plans on donating another to the missing and murdered women group so they can frame what is important to them.

A survivor of a residential school, a tough home life, and life on the streets, Mark is resilient, personable, bubbly, and fun to hang out with. You will feel the need to hang out and chat. It is not often that non-native Canadians get to have an in depth conversation about First Nation’s issues.

Mark carves canoes too, so hopefully we will see a canoe in the A frame.

He is awaiting delivery of a 40 foot container for the wood he will use. Visitors will be encouraged to carve.

Join him at 8701 Stanley Park Drive on Saturdays from 1 to 3 pm to observe the carving process, learn about Tsleil-Waututh history, and hear the traditions connected to each piece.

You can also experience Mark's work in “ON UNCEDED TERRITORY,” an exhibition celebrating the Fieldhouse Activation Program's cultural residencies at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre.

Mark is also a chocolate artist. Check his Facebook page, “Spirit Chocolates.” Mark says:

“For over forty years, my hands have known the grain of the wood, the weight of the chisel, and the stories waiting to be released from the cedar. As a member of the Nooksack Tribe and Tsleil-Waututh Nation, living on my ancestral territory on the Burrard Reserve, carving has never just been an art form for me—it is a way of teaching, a way of remembering, and a way of keeping our culture vibrantly alive.

“But for many years, I held onto a quiet, unique dream. I imagined taking the fluid lines, the deep histories, and the sacred spirit animals of my original carvings and translating them into a completely different medium: custom, artisanal chocolate.

“Today, that dream is a reality. By combining more than 45 years of traditional carving experience with modern confectionery craftsmanship, I have meticulously shaped original artworks into custom molds. Each piece of Spirit Chocolate is a bridge between worlds. When you hold one of these spirit animals, you are not just enjoying a premium treat; you are holding a piece of living tradition, born from decades of patience, teaching, and heritage.

“It has been a journey of many years to bring this vision to life, and I am profoundly grateful to finally share it with you, and with the world.”

STANLEY PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN

The Stanley Park Community Garden sits below Lagoon Drive, near Robson Street, Lost Lagoon, and above the tennis courts.

A non-profit society runs the garden, oversees and manages it, and holds a license agreement with the Park Board.

More than twenty years ago, 20 women and one man approached the Vancouver Park Board and asked for a community garden on what is technically Stanley Park Land. This group, working with the now-defunct West End Residents’ Association, advocated that a garden would improve the quality of life for West End residents.

At first, the Park Board denied the request. Finally, the request fell onto the desk of Alan Duncan, the Park Board’s first environmental planner.

Alan Duncan was a member of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects. Professionally, he was a Registered Landscape Architect and a Registered Professional Planner. Stanley Park Ecology now has an endowment fund in Alan’s memory to recognize his significant contributions to bird conservation. You can read about Alan’s many achievements at the link below.

What better desk to fall on!

Alan said yes, but with guidelines that included no fence (because the land is in Stanley Park), no fruit or vegetables because they would attract vermin, and a request to include plants native to the area. A garden member advised that no pesticides are used.

The garden received support from Stanley Park Ecology and funding from the Real Estate Foundation of BC, the latter for help building the gardens and purchasing native plants.

Volunteers set to work constructing the gardens in 2003, and many went on to become members of the Stanley Park Community Garden and still garden today.

Each gardener has a specific area; Stanley Park Ecology supplied a mason bee condo, and abandoned mouse holes became nesting sites for queen bees in the spring.

One member asked me to point out that the garden is on the traditional lands of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Squamish First Nations. It is near the historic Squamish village of Qwe’qwa, which was located at Lumberman’s Arch. The garden was gifted with a Squamish name: ch’elxwáʔelch (pronounced: cha-kwuh-ulch). This is the name of the Lost Lagoon area where the garden is located.

There are some 27 plots, a few raised for those who can’t kneel, and each gardener pays a $25 membership per year. These funds help maintain the garden. Gardeners must maintain their plots year-round and help with composting and caring for the common areas. There is a long waiting list, and group members advise interested gardeners to watch for a new website in the autumn, which will explain how to join.

**a peaceful pathway through the garden.** *(Jacqui Birchall Photo)*

The MetroVan Water Project has affected the garden. The project has temporarily blocked off about 30 feet of the north end of the garden. They gave plenty of notice, and the plants in this area were redistributed. Stanley Park Ecology replanted the native plants in Stanley Park, Haro Park Centre took some for their butterfly garden, and the TD Bank at Bidwell and Davie took some to build a pollinator garden.

A member of the garden remarked how pleasant it is to work with the MetroVan Water Project staff.

The loss of the north end of the garden affected access, so MetroVan Water Project built a long, sturdy ramp. The ramp is an asset to those using mobility scooters, walkers, and wheelchairs. It is not clear at this time if the ramp is a permanent addition. A mobility-challenged fan of the garden I spoke with hopes it is.

The garden is open to all and is a tranquil and beautiful spot to sit awhile. It is full of pollinators.

The Stanley Park Community Garden members ask that you don’t pick the flowers and that you leave the garden as you found it.

STANLEY PARK ECOLOGY EVENTS

Here are the event highlights for October. Check their website (see Related Links below) for more details.

Nature Tales Oct 3 to 4, 17 & 18, a new drop-in weekend program at the Nature House for kids ages 2-6 with nature stories and crafts.
Oct 7: Heron Highlights: 2026 Nesting Season webinar.
Oct 14: Senior Stroll: Fall Birds and Nature Walk.
October 21 & 29: Creatures of the Night.

ASTRA LUMINA
A Self-Guided Outdoor Night Walk in Stanley Park

This fall, the acclaimed outdoor experience Astra Lumina, will make its Canadian debut in Vancouver, inviting guests on a captivating journey beneath the stars in Stanley Park. 

Opening October 22, the self-guided outdoor night walk will be located at the Stanley Park train site, taking visitors through an experience of light, sound, and celestial storytelling.

Along an illuminated pathway, nine thematic zones unfold through larger-than-life light installations, projections, 360-degree immersion, scenography, and soundscapes, creating a series of celestial environments. Set to an original cosmic soundtrack, each chapter invites guests to follow the stars as they descend to Earth before returning to the night sky. The experience runs approximately 45 to 60 minutes and is open to visitors of all ages. 

THE FIN-TASTIC FALL FESTIVAL
Including Underwater Pumpkin Carving!

Get ready for a fall festival with a splash! This season, Fin-tastic Fall Festival at the Vancouver Aquarium invites families to celebrate the Fall Season beneath the waves with a lineup of seasonal programming, immersive experiences, and plenty of family fun.

**EVER SEEN A PUMPKIN CARVED UNDER WATER? HERE’S YOUR CHANCE!** *(PHOTO COURTESY OF VANCOUVER AQUARIUM)*

Guests can enjoy festive experiences throughout the aquarium, including the return of a favourite underwater pumpkin carving tradition, the premiere of an all-new movie experience, and hands-on adventures designed for little explorers and the whole family.

Watch pumpkins transform before your eyes during Underwater Pumpkin Carving, where talented divers take pumpkin carving to new depths with spectacular gourd-geous creations beneath the waves. Happening on weekends October 3 to 4, and October 10 to 11, and daily from October 17 to 31 at 11:30 am and 2 pm.

“As we head into fall, we’re pleased to offer families opportunities to spend time together while learning more about the animals and ecosystems in our care,” said Vancouver Aquarium executive director Clint Wright. “The seasonal programming provides another way for visitors to connect with the ocean and the animals that call it home.”

The Pumpkin Jamboree is about to begin—but where's Spookley? While his friends worry that he will miss the big performance, Spookley is busy helping a friend in need. Filled with music, friendship, and farmyard fun, Spookley's 4D Jamboree is the perfect family experience for audiences of all ages. Sing, dance, and celebrate with Spookley the Square Pumpkin in this interactive animated adventure!

Fly by the Amazon Gallery for Bat Grooming Sessions and watch the Animal Care team pamper the aquarium’s fruit bats. Guests can discover more about these fascinating icons and learn why they are more fang-tastic than fearsome.

Ready to get up close with some creepy-crawly creatures? Slither over to the limited-time Dragons exhibit and brave a thrilling Creature Feature. Come face-to-face with lizards, snakes, and spiders as you discover the fascinating animals behind some of fall’s biggest frights.

Families can navigate the Kelp Maze, a deep-sea adventure inspired by a kelp forest and designed especially for little ones. This pint-sized maze is now located in Underwater Steller’s Bay, offering a-maze-ing fall fun for young adventurers.

Roll up your sleeves and dive into discovery at the Wet Lab. This hands-on experience lets guests feel for themselves as they explore the fascinating textures and adaptations of marine life.

Grab your little goblins and get ready to explore! Families can trick-or-treat their way through each Bat House during the seasonal Scavenger Hunt. Keep your eyes peeled for clues and discover what spooky surprises are waiting along the way.

Fin-tastic Fall Festival begins September 26 and continues through October 31. Come celebrate the season, discover incredible animals, and experience fall fun with an aquatic twist!

A SMALLER AQUATIC CENTRE

It is unfortunate that those challenging the new plans for the Vancouver Aquatic Centre have lost their appeal. The new pool will be 25 metres, not the hoped-for 50 metres. Sad news for competitive swimmers and the many swim clubs.

RELATED LINKS: