by Jacqui Birchall
(click images to enlarge)
For websites and publications cited, see Related Links at the end of this column.

VANCOUVER PARK BOARD BUDGET

The Vancouver Park Board has submitted its Capital Plan, and city council approved the $739m plan for the coming year. Please see the link below.

In conversation with Park Board Chair Tom Digby, he noted that this plan for investment in our parks and recreation centres was developed with extensive public consultation and expert staff guidance.

Digby is happy that for the Park Board Capital Plan city councillors added an amendment, changing “planning” for Kits Beach Pool renewal, saying they “commit” to Kits pool renewal, and that they “prioritized” planning for a new 50m pool, probably at Hastings Community Centre or Kensington Community Centre. No word on the continuing battle for the West End Aquatic Centre to remain a 50m pool.

Digby adds, “But there still remains a big difference between the facilities list of the park board and the council. Specifically, regarding which swimming pools to invest in and which community centres to renew.”

When asked about Mayor Sim’s comments regarding the future of the elected Park Board, Digby shared that voters “should have a great deal of skepticism about ABC’s announcement that it seeks to fix the park board. Everyone knows that as soon as he is elected, Ken Sim will say the situation has changed and that he’s now forced to abolish the board.”

STANLEY PARK ECOLOGY

Stanley Park Ecology (SPE) has released important information on their latest fundraiser.

The "Matching for Monitoring" campaign by SPE is a fundraising initiative aiming to launch year-round water quality monitoring at Beaver Lake and Lost Lagoon.

Thanks to a matching gift from the board of directors, every dollar donated to the campaign is matched dollar-for-dollar up to $12,500.

SPE announced, “We've just launched Matching for Mentoring, a campaign to fund the park's first year-round water quality baseline at Lost Lagoon and Beaver Lake. Right now, we only see part of the picture of how these ecosystems are doing. With enough support, Stanley Park Ecology plans to launch expanded year-round monitoring this fall, so community members, youth, students, and our staff can collect water quality data across all four seasons and a wider range of ecological indicators. Every sample collected adds another piece to the picture, creating the evidence needed to guide restoration where it matters most.

**A barn swallow peeping out from a box on Lost Lagoon.** *(Jacqui Birchall Photo)*

“Thanks to a matching gift from our board of directors, every dollar you give this summer is doubled, up to $12,500, helping us reach our $25,000 goal for this expanded program. That means your donation to Stanley Park Ecology can go twice as far in making this program possible.

“Healthy wetlands don't happen by accident. They're protected by people who care, and you're already one of them. Help us bring that community together with your support.

“The program officially accepts donations until October 7, 2026, and donations can be made online via the Zeffy Donation Form (see below). The data collected will help create a scientific baseline across all four seasons, ultimately guiding evidence-based management and wetland restoration.”

I attended the SPE Annual General Meeting on July 15. Please see the graphic that shows SPE accomplishments over the year. 440 volunteers gave 9,000 hours in the many volunteer opportunities available at SPE. For the complete annual report, please see the link below.

The Bat Boxery, near the rose gardens, will contain 12 bat boxes. 343 bats have been counted nesting in the Stanley Park Pavilion, 147 barn swallows hatched, and 70 blue herons fledged. As well as an increase in the swallow boxes in Lost Lagoon, wood duck boxes have been installed in Beaver Lake.

Last month I mentioned the Corporate and Group Stewardship in Stanley Park programme. SPE reports that the response was overwhelming and such a success that they are having to seek more spots in the park for the folks who want to participate.

DYING TREES IN STANLEY PARK

BCBusiness has released a depressing study of the state of the trees in Stanley Park and other Vancouver urban forests. Joe McLeod, director of urban forestry for the City of Vancouver, and other experts painted a picture of how climate change, consecutive droughts, and pest infestations are affecting Stanley Park trees. See the link to the full article in Related Links below.

**enjoy a round of mini-golf in stanley park.** *(Jacqui Birchall Photo)*

STANLEY PARK MINI-GOLF

The new Stanley Park Mini Golf is a surprising 18-hole delight. Situated beside the Stanley Park Train and conveniently right beside the Stanley Park Bus Loop, the mini golf course is a creation of Studio Meanwhile, a talented international design studio, “for the present tense of public spaces.”

This locally owned studio is the creation of CEO and creative director Chris Charest. Their website shares that “for over a decade, Studio Meanwhile has been at the forefront of transforming urban landscapes with our projects, blending industrial design with creative place-led solutions that deliver thriving destination projects to unite and share meaningful experiences.” Please check their website for information on all the wonderful public spaces they have created in Vancouver and internationally.

**Pablo Zamudio spinning vinyl at the Stanley Park Mini Golf.** *(Jacqui Birchall Photo)*

Meanwhile worked with the Vancouver Park Board to create a viable space in the now deserted Stanley Park Train location.

Using artists to create a fun space, Meanwhile created this very attractive space in a two-week period, opening on July 6. The site will close on September 30, with a possible extension if the weather is good. Meanwhile has a contract with the park board for the next two years.

The hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; the site closes at sunset. Check the website below for prices and ticket sales.

There is a wonderful, licensed restaurant on-site, and a DJ spins vinyl from 6 p.m. Thursday to Sunday. The DJ is the charming Pablo Zamudio, who was also one of the creative artists for the mini golf course. The music is chill and attractive to a wide audience.

**Ignacio and Edson serving delicious food at Mini Golf.** *(Jacqui Birchall Photo)*

The on-site restaurant is phenomenal. It is the creation of Ignacio Arrieta, one of the owners of the very popular La Mezcaleria Mexican restaurant at 1622 Commercial Drive.

This 15-year-old restaurant brings delicious food, beverages, and a liquor license to this attractive space. My carne asada taco was delicious and generously portioned. The evening I was there, I was served by the very friendly Edson.

Stanley Park Ecology has a popcorn hut on the site. All funds go to SPE.

A peaceful and charming spot.

FIRE SAFETY IN THE PARK
A note from the Park Board

As we enter the hottest, driest days of summer, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation is reminding visitors to our parks and green spaces of the important role they can play in preventing wildfires.

HOW YOU CAN HELP … Lit cigarettes and open fires are the biggest causes of fires in parks. Smoking and vaping are prohibited in parks and on beaches year-round, as are open fires of any kind.

In addition, park users can help prevent fires by following these rules and guidelines:

Barbecues must be 75 cm (29.5 in) off the ground and are not permitted on or above sandy beach areas.
Charcoal barbecues must be doused with cold water until they are fully extinguished and disposed of properly.
Any form of wood burning is prohibited.
Use designated picnic sites when possible. Always have a source of water available to extinguish any flare-ups.
Always stay on designated trails.
If you spot a fire, smell, or see smoke, immediately call 911 and report your location.

The park board advises, “We work closely with Vancouver Fire Rescue Services and Metro Vancouver to monitor and protect Vancouver's urban forest and keep the public updated.

“When there is an increase in fire hazard ratings, we post signs at entrances to forested areas and post alerts to the city’s website, social media, and other channels. We also reach out to those sheltering in parks to educate on fire dangers and prevention.

“Our operational measures follow or exceed Metro Vancouver’s Wildlife Preparedness and Response guidance to prevent and prepare for fires in parks, particularly in heavily treed areas. These include:

Ensuring fire suppression equipment is at the ready for park operations staff working in Stanley Park.
Increased patrols by Park Rangers.
Proactive outreach and education on park bylaws related to smoking prohibition, safe use of barbeques, and fire prevention.”

MORE ON KEEPING WHALES SAFE

Ryan Michael, a young man with 37.7K followers on his Friends of Vancouver Island Facebook page, is waging an effective war of information to keep whales in our waters safe.

Find him on Facebook under his name or under Friends of Vancouver Island. He posts on the waters around Stanley Park, English Bay, the Salish Sea and all of Vancouver Island’s coasts. He regularly posts in various West End Facebook groups.