Last night Team Mexico rocked the Celebration of Light fireworks in English Bay. While I haven’t heard any official feedback from those who attended, the shouts and applause from hotel balconies around us seemed to praise the show.
Photo credit: on Flickr
It’s always a treat to wake up and see some fantastic photos added to the Miss604 Flickr group and I’m impressed that these photographers captured the fireworks so well (and processed then uploaded the photos with such speed). I’m enjoying all of the different vantage points as well, hopefully it gives some inspiration for unique viewing spots to check out.
Please be sure to click-through on the images to view more from each of these photographers. Should you take any photos of the Celebration of Light fireworks Saturday (during the grand finale) please feel free to add them to the Miss604 Flickr group.
This morning our pal and local photographer Tyler Ingram took to the shores of English Bay to capture some of the Celebration of Light fireworks aftermath. Crowds seemed to have ignore most of the black trash bins, some of which were toppled, as litter was strewn across the streets, sand, and grass.
It doesn’t matter where the crowds came from (whether it was from up the street or across a bridge) everyone needs to do their part in this situation. I passed quite a few garbage cans that were overflowing with bottles and recyclables on Davie Street the other night, which means many do have the right idea. However when you have this number of people, everything can simply pile up.
Crews are out there this morning picking up the mess that was left behind. The other two fireworks nights were no exception.
If you can carry food and drinks down to the beach, you then have the ability to carry the garbage you produce back up to a trash bin. Instead of packing that extra bottle of Crown Royal or six-pack of light lime beer (that will get confiscated or poured out by police) please pack a garbage bag and be a hero for those around you.
According to a National Geographic ranking, Vancouver is the #10 best city in the world for beaches.
Here’s why they chose us: “Canada’s most adventurous metropolis is home to ten beaches, from the family-centric Jericho to the clothing-optional Wreck Beach, many of which offer commanding views of the Vancouver skyline and majestic North Shore Mountains. Sporty types prefer Kitsilano or “Kits” a six-minute drive from downtown, for its free tennis and basketball courts, and its super-size heated saltwater pool.”
While some think our water is too chilly or cloudy, I think the main attraction here is how close the beaches are to the city. Within 10 minutes I can walk to English Bay, 15 to Second Beach, and 20 to Third Beach. Then within 10 minutes from downtown I can drive to Kits Beach, 15 to Jericho, Locarno, or Spanish Banks, and about 20 to Wreck. You can hop in for a swim on a scorching hot day if you like but there’s much more to do at our beaches.
Vancouver has many options for sea-side recreation and when you cap that off with a view of the North Shore mountains, it’s just the icing on the cake.
Our waters are active year-round with boats, kayaks, stand-up boards and more — heck we even take strolls down to the beach when it’s snowing.
Another draw (or reason for the Top Beach title) is that there are so many other options nearby. From Ambleside and Deep Cove on the North Shore, to Belcarra, Crescent Beach and White Rock.
Let’s not forget about the lakes while we’re at it. Buntzen, Sasamat, Cultus… When you live in Metro Vancouver a beach of some kind is never too far away.
As a side note, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup takes place in September. You can register your own clean-up location or join one that is already on the map. Let’s all do our part to ensure that our beaches remain free of litter, garbage, and harmful debris.
Joining the series of free outdoor movie events in Stanley Park, at Nat Bailey, and in Surrey this summer, Yaletown is hosting their own event August 8th.
Where David Lam Park (foot of Drake at Pacific)
When Sunday August 8th at dusk (with picnic at the Roundhouse from 12pm – 4pm)
The film has not been revealed however the clue of “McFly” on the Yaletown website points to Back to the Future.
Update Due to a rain cancellation this will be shown August 15th.
When I flipped my Hope in Shadows calendar over to July at the beginning of the month I read a quick story about two men and their involvement with the Downtown Eastside homeless soccer team, based in Oppenheimer Park.
Sandwiched between Powell and Cordova, the recently restructured public space (complete with a new lawn, washrooms, playground, and field house) hosted a Street Soccer Canada match this past weekend and our home team has sent players to the Homeless World Cup each year since 2004 [The Province]. With Oppenheimer Park being an Eastside hub for everything from street soccer to family picnics, I figured it would be worth profiling.
1911, Oppenheimer Monument. Archives Item# Mon P60
Oppenheimer History
Oppenheimer Park is named after arguably the most influential Mayor in our city’s history. David Oppenheimer (born in Germany) was Vancouver’s second Mayor under whom much of Vancouver’s infrastructure was built and landscape was shaped. He was there to dedicate Stanley Park in Lord Stanley’s honor, oversee the setup of the streetcar system, and personally fund our water system installation that brought water in from the Capilano River.
“Oppenheimer personally paid the water fees, and liberally donated money for the construction of Alexandra Orphanage and the YMCA. He also donated land for city parks including East Park (later Exhibition Park, now Hastings Park, home for years to the PNE). The second-largest landowner in Vancouver after the Canadian Pacific Railway, Mayor Oppenheimer fostered industrial development when he donated land for B.T. Rogers to build a sugar refinery, the first manufacturing operation in the city. He established the B.C. Electric Railway Company (now B.C. Hydro).” [VancouverHistory]
Mayor Sam Sullivan proclaimed July 12, 2008 “David Oppenheimer Day” in the city of Vancouver.
Park History
The park opened in 1902 as the Powell Street Grounds and was later renamed in David Oppenheimer’s honor.
Located in the heart of “Little Tokyo” in Vancouver, it was the home of the Asahi baseball club, formed in 1914. Composed of Japanese-Canadians the Asahi played their last game September 18, 1941 and following the Japanese attack on Coal Harbour in the off-season, the Little Tokyo community from around Oppenheimer Park was banished to exile on farms and within internment camps. The Asahi never played again [VancouverHistory].
Oppenheimer Park has a sordid history of politics and protests including being one of the settings of Vancouver’s infamous Bloody Sunday in 1938 that began at the Post Office (now Sinclair Centre).
Plagued with being known for drug use in recent decades, the Strathcona Business Improvement Association has worked over the years to reestablish the park as a safe place for all in the community. There is a story around every corner including that of the Sakura Legacy and I’m certain there are dozens if not hundreds more.
Upgrades
Since June of 2009 much of the park had been closed off with people and events relocated for about a year. The $1.37 million in upgrades have now provided a field house, washrooms, universally accessible walkways, children’s playground, sports court with basketball hoop, horseshoe pitch, patio spaces, picnic tables and seating areas, central lawn area, trees and flowers, sub-surface drainage and a new irrigation system. The grand re-opening and dedication celebration was last Saturday, July 24th.
Photo ©
jmv on Flickr
Events
The park hosts community events throughout the year including this weekend’s 34th annual Powell Street Festival – Vancouver’s longest running community celebration. “Taking inspiration from the Japanese notion of Koen debut, or Park debut, whereupon neighbourhood toddlers are introduced to their local community, the 34th Annual Powell Street Festival celebrates the idea of neighbourhood, youth, children, the park and its landscape.” It will have a free bike valet as well as a “zero waste” commitment to reducing the amount of garbage generated by the event. You can follow the festival on Twitter @PowellStFest.
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