With the Fourth of July coming up, I figured what’s more American than baseball. Today’s Archives Photo of the Day features two players at the Athletic Park in Vancouver, which used to be near 5th and Hemlock.
Description: Baseball opening season at Athletic Park, 1930
Photographer: Stuart Thomson
Archives item#: CVA 99-2415
In a recent public appearance Ian Campbell, the Chief of the Squamish First Nation, suggested that Stanley Park return to its original name, Xwayxway (pronounced “kwhy-kway”). This has caused quite a stir locally with the thought of the international impact among other concerns.
A Squamish elder raised the idea at the opening Wednesday of Klahowya Village and the Spirit Catcher Train in Stanley Park. Xwayxway was the name of a permanent aboriginal village located where Lumberman’s Arch is today. The name refers to a ceremonial mask. [The Province]
Campbell made the suggestion at the opening of a native exhibit at the park, which includes a First Nations village. B.C. Tourism Minister Kevin Kreuger, who attended the ceremonial opening of the village, said he “would happily carry forth a proposal to change the name of the park. Vancouver Coun. Ellen Woodsworth said she thought the change to Xwayxway was an “excellent suggestion” and said First Nations should make a formal proposal. [CBC]
Originally named by the City of Vancouver in 1888 after Lord Stanley (the same man for which the NHL trophy is named), it has been Vancouver’s crown jewel for over a hundred years.
Stanley Park is near and dear to my heart and I believe that its magic would be the same no matter what the signs on Georgia Street or Google Maps read. That being said this is a fairly sticky subject… where do the traditions and history begin and end? There could also be a combination of the two, perhaps a certain area or section called “Xwayxway at Stanley Park” or vice versa.
I’d love to know what you think about the talk of a name change (please keep in mind that this is not a formal proposal yet by any means).
[poll id=”56″]
Update According to News1130 B.C.’s tourism minister says name of Vancouver’s Stanley Park won’t be changed, but a second name might be added.
However the Vancouver Sun is now reporting that Tourism Vancouver is all for the name change:
While public reaction to changing the name of the city’s iconic park has been mostly negative, Tourism Vancouver president Rick Antonson said he’s in favour of the idea.
“I think it is a wonderful name, and the opportunity to be a part of taking that name internationally to help introduce it would be just a wonderful, though challenging, opportunity,†he said. “There is nothing to lose by doing this and much to be gained.”
Update The Globe and Mail reports that according to the Federal Government, a name change is out of the question (while an addition isn’t).
“Stanley Park is a park that’s rich in history, and rich in heritage,†said Mr. Day, adding that the park was known and loved to people from B.C. and around the world.
“It was designated as a park well over a hundred years ago by the governor-general of the day, Lord Stanley. And it is our intention to maintain the name as Stanley Park, respecting and reflecting on a wonderful heritage going back for hundreds and hundreds of years – our aboriginal peoples and those immigrants who settled here later and have continued to enjoy the park.â€
Related posts: Top Five for Stanley Park, History Tidbits: Stanley Park, History Tidbits: Pauline Johnson’s Legends of Vancouver, Read all posts in my Stanley Park category since 2004.
Since July is Parks Month, I will be featuring more listings in my Metro Vancouver Parks Series. I put the call out on Twitter and @kirstinhepburn said that Barnet Marine Park was a hidden gem, so I thought it would be worth featuring.
How to Get There: Located along the Burrard Inlet, the Barnet Marine Park is just off Barnet Highway in Burnaby [Google Map]. There are signs along the highway that will let you know where to turn.
Features: Swimming beach, washrooms, boat launches, walking and hiking trails, fishing, picnic sites (that can be reserved), and a dog off-leash area (however they are not allowed on the beach). There is a marked trail path about 1.3km long that makes for a nice stroll.
Notes: A bit of history from the Barnet Marine Park site: “Barnet Marine Park is located on what a century ago was the site of a bustling logging mill camp. Echoes of the past remain in the shape of a few concrete towers and the skeleton of a scrap burner.” In 1973 development began to turn it into a park.
I started the series on my own however over the years I’ve had people offer to do write-ups on some of their favourites. If you would like to submit an idea or guest post about your favourite park in Metro Vancouver, please feel free to contact me.
Dragonette played Surrey’s Canada Day celebration today as an excited crowd raised their hands, sung along, and ignored any pending raindrops. John and I snapped some photos of the group including bassist and producer Dan Kurtz, drummer Joel Stouffer, and the highly photogenic lead singer, Martina Sorbara.
My photos are up on my Flickr account and John’s are on his Flickr account. Read about the rest of Canada Day in Surrey on my Day Blog.
We’re stationed out in Surrey today to celebrate Canada Day.
Though I went to bed with a fever last night and woke up shifting between being extremely pale and extremely red-faced, I just figured my body was showing its patriotism. We made it out in time for the opening ceremonies (including Mayor Diane Watts & Vancouver 2010 gold medalist Denny Morrison) and took a walk around the slightly soggy grounds before photographing some of the early afternoon entertainment.
My photos are up on my Flickr account and John’s will be up shortly on his Flickr account.
The rain has moved off for now and there’s plenty of activities, rides, food, and entertainment to enjoy until 11:00pm tonight. Come on by with friends and family, all concerts are totally free to enjoy including Dragonette, Stereos, Odds, and Honeymoon Suite. A full schedule and list of activities is available on the Surrey Canada Day site.
