The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation announced today that they will be extending the temporary closure of all non-essential access to Stanley Park between the hours of 7:00pm and 7:00am beginning tonight (August 31, 2021). The closure, which was originally implemented to mitigate fire risk, is being extended in an effort to reduce continued conflict between park users and coyotes.
There have been three coyote attacks in Stanley Park over the past few days, according to BC’s Conservation Officer Service. [Source: Vancouver Sun]
Stanley Park Overnight Closure Due to Coyotes
Park Rangers will continue to maintain temporary overnight access control points at four locations across the park to reduce the number of individuals in the park overnight. Vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and anyone who does not require essential access to the park will be turned around at access control points.
Anyone requiring entry into the park during the closure, including the #19 bus, emergency services, patrons and staff of park businesses, will be permitted to enter through the control points. Individuals who remain in the park after the closure begins will have unrestricted access to leave the park through the control points.
The access control points are positioned at the following locations:
Traffic circle off Georgia Street
The corner of Barclay and Park Lane
The South exit of the Stanley Park Causeway (closure in effect from 10:00pm – 6:00am)
The North exit of the Stanley Park Causeway (closure in effect from 10:00pm – 6:00am)
The Causeway will remain open. Access to the seawall will be closed. Signage will be placed along the access points of the seawall to advise pedestrians and cyclists of the closure.
Park Rangers will be patrolling the park throughout the closure to monitor activity.
The Park Board is working with the BC Conservation Officer Service, Stanley Park Ecology Society, the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development on ongoing efforts to address and reduce coyote conflicts in the park.
“We are taking the escalating conflicts with coyotes extremely seriously and have offered our full support to the Province to do whatever we can inside Stanley Park as public safety is our number one priority,” said Donnie Rosa, General Manager of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. “At this point, a number of options are on the table and our focus remains on removing attractants and influencing public behaviour to ensure direct and indirect feeding of coyotes and other wildlife comes to a stop.
In the last week alone we have removed 1,000 kgs of garbage from the park, secured animal-proof garbage cans that will be installed shortly, and printed 96 new signs to be installed at key locations where the majority of coyote incidents are taking place. We are asking the public to help us with this issue and to observe the park closures overnight, to stay off trails when visiting businesses in the park, and to report any feeding of wildlife.”
The public are reminded to dispose of garbage appropriately and that feeding all wildlife within the park, including coyotes, raccoons and birds, is strictly prohibited.
Visitors to the park need to be aware of their surroundings especially at dusk and dawn. If a coyote is encountered:
Make yourself big. Face the coyote, stand tall, arms stretched. Do not run.
Speak loudly and make noise (but don’t scream).
Call the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277 to report any aggressive behaviour or wildlife feeding.
September is here and so are flowers, farm fun, and festivals! Miss604 is proud to sponsor the Portobello West Fall Market, the end of summer at Burnaby Village Museum, and the Search the Rock scavenger hunt in White Rock all month-long. On September 30th, take time to reflect and take action for a National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
Local farms and fields are getting ready to welcome you to experience some family fun this season. Here are just a few corn mazes near Vancouver, and more places for outdoor fall activities in the Fraser Valley.
Consult all venue/location websites for the latest COVID-19 safety protocols they have in place.
Taves Family Farms
When: Open every day 10:00am to 6:00pm starting September 1, 2021 Where: 333 Gladwin Rd, Abbotsford Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Features: Enjoy the sunflower patch and U-Pick goji berries, cold-pressed apple cider, corn maze, U-Pick apples, pumpkin patch, goats, Farmville, jumping pillows, and more.
Willow View Farms
When: Open every day, 9:00 to 5:30pm (opens 11:00am on Sundays) Where: 288 McCallum Rd, Abbotsford Website | Facebook | Instagram Features: U-pick apples, plums, pears, and pumpkins. Petting barn opening September 1, 2021.
Maan Farms
When: Open every day 9:00am to 6:00pm Where: 790 McKenzie Rd, Abbotsford Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Features: Market, Country Kitchen, Barnyard Adventureland are all open along with the Sunflower Festival and U-Pick and drive-through experiences. Fall Festival opens September 17, 2021, with Haunted Corn Maze in October.
Richmond Country Farms
When: Market open daily 9:00am to 8:00pm Where: 12900 Steveston Hwy, Richmond Website | Facebook | Instagram Features: Enjoy corn fields, sunflowers, a pumpkin patch and whimsical decorations.
Chilliwack Corn Maze and Pumpkin Farm
When: Open until October 31, 2021 Where: 41905 Yale Road West, Chilliwack Website | Facebook | Instagram Features: The 12 acre Chilliwack Corn Maze also has over 15 varieties of pumpkins. Check out their event page for special family nights featuring live music and more.
Aldor Acres Farm
When: September 18 to October 31, 2021 9:00am to 6:00pm Where: 24990-84 Avenue, Langley Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Features: Visit the animals then head out to the pumpkin patch on their 80 acre farm. Don’t forget to stop by the Farmacy for your farm fresh veggies, eggs and pork.
For more activities, keep an eye out for the September event list for Metro Vancouver.
From the same team behind the exceptional success of Imagine Van Gogh, Vancouver will host the Western Canadian debut of Imagine Picasso this fall.It’s a one-of-a-kind immersive exhibition highlighting and celebrating the work of Pablo Picasso.
Imagine Picasso In Vancouver
Created by Annabelle Mauger and Julien Baron in collaboration with art historian Androula Michael and one of the leading figures of the new French architecture movement, Rudy Ricciotti, Imagine Picasso features more than 200 of the artist’s paintings, shown together for the first time—from his Blue and Rose periods on through Cubism and the prolific later years.
After a successful run in Quebec City this summer, Imagine Picasso arrives at the Vancouver Convention Centre (East Building) this October. Registration is now open.
Imagine Picasso offers an unprecedented dialogue between Ricciotti—winner of the National Grand Prix in Architecture—and one of the greatest painters of the 20th century. Ricciotti was inspired to create this spectacular scenography from the paper sculptures Picasso made for his children. The paintings, projected onto nine full-blown Origami-style structures, offer a unique and novel perspective on the work of Picasso.
In consultation with local health authorities,Imagine Picassois designed as a contactless experience and will have limited capacity, timed entries, and will operate in full accordance with British Columbia’s current public health guidelines.
You can help Canuck Place give short lives the gift of great days by purchasing a ticket for their 50/50 raffle. Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is British Columbia and Yukon’s pediatric palliative care provider. Over 818 children living with life-threatening illnesses and families from five provincial health regions receive Canuck Place inpatient and community care (in home/in hospital).
Canuck Place 50/50 Raffle
Tickets: Buy online for 3 for $5; 7 for $10; 50 for $20; 150 Ticket Pack for $50
Anticipated Prize: $500,000 to be split with the winner
Deadline: Midnight, Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Draw: Friday, October 8, 2021 at 11:00am
“It was a humbling experience, truly. You always think about the possibilities, but never actually believe you’re going to win,” says previous winner James from Saanich. “If you are thinking buying tickets, do it! At the very least, you are supporting a great cause in Canuck Place and you might win it all!”
For over 25 years, Canuck Place has been providing exceptional complex medical care, while helping children and families embrace living fully with the time they have left together. But not without donor support. That’s where your 50/50 ticket purchase can make a difference.
Canuck Place operates 13 patient beds and 8 family suites through two hospices in Vancouver and Abbotsford. Services include medical respite and family support, pain and symptom management, provincial 24-hour clinical care line, music and recreation therapy, education and art, grief, loss, and bereavement counselling, as well as end-of-life care. With donors, their talented team, including 400 energetic volunteers, they care for children with short lives and the families who love them.
