I used song lyrics from our first dance in last year’s post but in all honesty every single day all I want to do is have him hold me in his arms. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

Living so close to such a wonderland of natural beauty, towering trees, babbling brooks and amazing cliff-side outlooks we often forget that Stanley Park is in fact filled with wildlife and is by no means completely urban.

Even though ducks, swans, raccoons, squirrels and skunks are the animals spotted most often, recently coyote sightings and attacks have become more frequent and reports of attacks on pets are causing concern.

Photo credit: Steve Cherrier on Flickr

There are between 2,000 and 3,000 coyotes believed to be living in the Lower Mainland. I know my niece has “coyote drills” at her school in case one is spotted coming out of the woods during recess but they are also no strangers to Stanley Park.

In January there were several reports of attacks on small dogs and even a swan (which wouldn’t have been able to fly away in defense, as I discovered a while back). I also received an email to my contact form about these cases and a cause for concern.

The Stanley Park Ecology Society is one of my favourite Stanley Park resources, and where I often find information about nature walks, hikes, tree planting and bird watching updates. The SPES has been tracking coyote sightings since January 2009 and there are more than a dozen, including some that read in bold “pet attack” as recent as February 19th.

I built this map based on 2009 data so far, you can also view the SPES archives for more information or patterns.

It’s been said that, “coyote attacks are not precipitated by hunger but for their lack of fear for humans.” [source] You can see evidence of such when you’re anywhere in Stanley Park — birds come closer as do squirrels and other animals who are used to being fed by passers-by.
A few years ago there was a rabies outbreak within skunks and raccoons, and even though we spot those baby raccoons acting all cute and roley-poley playing with each other I know that their parents are some place nearby – and they pretty much make me want to back away slowly, not stop and take a photo.

The SPES and the City have been hopeful in the past that we can “coexist with coyotes through communication.” On the SPES website you can find several resources including the Coexisting with Coyotes brochure and poster, a kit for parent advisory committees, learn about school presentations, guided walks through the “Coyote Zones” in your area, and report a coyote sighting in your city. You can also learn to identify coyotes based on tracks and other signs.

Photo credit: gak on Flickr

If you have a small pet, keep them under your full control when you venture into coyote country (namely the spots on the map, which are mostly near parks) and never approach, feed, or engage a coyote. Also, you can call (604) 681-WILD or email coyotes [at] stanleyparkecology.ca should you have any questions, comments or concerns about coyote activity.

Last September I profiled two local women who are gearing up for a marathon run in support of Team Diabetes Canada. One of them was Candice, whom I’ve known since junior high school. Her run is coming up in July, and in an effort to do some fundraising she is hosting a pub night in April.

There will also be a raffle along with other great ways to win prizes. If you have an item you’d like to donate to the raffle, leave a comment on this post for Candice or so that I can relay the information to her.

A few weeks ago I was trying to come up with a history post one day and I put the call out to my contacts on Twitter, asking what they would want to know about local history. As a result I received several great tips and suggestions, which I have been researching and publishing bit by bit.

The following is the latest installment of my History Tidbits series based on a response by @6oz, asking about the Guinness family’s influence on the region. However, this particular segment was written, researched, and contributed to Miss604.com by Anita Webster of Anita Webster Communications. She is a Vancouver public relations gal, aspiring blogger, and really great for putting this together:

Recent news about bridges, tunnels and tolls reminded me of a toll booth from our city’ past. I am a third-generation Vancouverite – yes, there are a few of us around – and as I grew up on the North Shore I remember my family paying a toll to cross the Lions Gate Bridge. My parents say the toll was something that gave them pause before they bought their land in West Van.

Lions Gate Bridge Car Ticket 1938
© North Vancouver Museum & Archives

Also known as the First Narrows Bridge, the Lions Gate Bridge was built by the Guinness family – the Irish beer barons – to provide access to the north shore of the city. The Guinnesses had purchased 4,000 acres in what is now West Vancouver for $18.75 an acre – and were busy developing it.

Bridge construction started in 1937 and was completed the following year for just under $6 million. The bridge originally had two lanes.

To recover their construction costs the Guinness family had toll booths installed at the north end of the bridge. When the tolls were instituted, a weekly auto ticket cost $1.25, pedestrians paid 7.5 cents per crossing and cars were 25 cents (plus 5 cents per extra passenger).

As West Vancouver grew, demand on the span increased and in 1952 the two lanes were divided into three. Hair-raisingly, the centre lane was controlled by a blinking amber light and was for passing – in either direction.

1952 was also the year toll revenues had finally covered cost of construction. The Guinness family sold the bridge to the provincial government in 1955 though the tolls continued until 1963. I guess we paid for the bridge twice.

North approach to Lions Gate Bridge, 1947 – Source: West Vancouver Memorial Library

My parents, delighted at the news the tolls were gone, saved the money they had been spending on toll tickets and bought a Danish chair still in their house and still known as the Lions Gate Bridge chair.

The Guinness Family’s last involvement with the bridge was when they had lights installed along its graceful lines as a gift the our city for Expo 86.

More information can be found at the West Vancouver Memorial Library or the North Vancouver Museum and Archives.

Read more about Anita Webster on her website, Anita Webster Communications, or follow her on Twitter.

The History Tidbits series will continue at a later date with:

@TylerIngram History of the McBarge
@kdmurray – Some Burrard Inlet History
@davidshore – Why/how the CPR landed in Vancouver

The big conference is over so Miss604.com will return to its regular format tomorrow and I’ll also be launching a fun new contest that my readers can enter.

It’s my father’s birthday so we’re heading out to Surrey (as we sometimes do on Sundays per my story in the The Province this morning). To say that my dad has influenced my life would be an understatement. In fact I’m pretty sure I love blogging so much because of him — but this isn’t about blogging.

My mom is a creative writer (who should really start publishing some of her mystery stories one day) but ever since I was little my dad was the story-teller. Before bedtime we’d ask for a story from when he was a boy, growing up in another province or in Vancouver during the later years. Whenever we’d go on a drive he would have a story about the route, the road, the park, or the city we were in. He is the smartest person that I know and was my own personal Google for many years — my sister and I would usually call him up to fact-check anything, anytime.

I don’t see my dad that often, even though we’re only 40 minutes apart, and I’ll probably be seeing less of him later this year. I think it’s important to acknowledge and appreciate where we’ve come from and the people who not only shaped who we are and what we’ve become, but the people that inspire us, even in small ways, each and every day.

My dad took us to play pond hockey at Fry’s Corner when the flooded fields froze and to Expo 86 every weekend. He never missed attending any of my rugby games in high school (a sport I played because he was a rugby champ before I was born). He was the one who woke up at 5:30am to make me a quick breakfast before I left for school to attend one of my many clubs or meetings, and he’s the reason I love camping (even though mom always scolded him for leading us into “bear country”). He’s the reason I’m not afraid to go on a 3 hour hike and get my boot stuck in mud.

He’s the reason I have this photo of my brother and me on Texada Island from July 1982 (even though until I found this I had no I idea I had ever been to Texada Island before). My dad is also the reason why I say the word “trousers”… if even in jest.

It’s because of him that I started playing with computers when I was 10 years old (and why I have a 14.4 modem in my closet right now). When I packed up and moved to Boston for my job with only weeks notice, he was supportive. He was also very gracious when I brought home a boy from Iowa that I met through internet and was kind enough to walk me down the aisle and give me away to him.

He’s the reason why I wanted to start my own company, and he’s the reason why I write about local history. He’s the reason why Sundays are for family time. He’s the reason I love the rain.