Registration is now open for spring and summer EcoCamps for kids presented by the Stanley Park Ecology Society. They’re a great way for children to learn outdoor skills, spend time in nature, and uncover the mysteries of the natural world.
Spring EcoCamps for Kids in Stanley Park
March is a magical time in Stanley Park! The herons are returning to their nest colony, pollinators are emerging, and early spring blooms begin, including cherry blossoms.
For ages 6-11 during Spring Break
Crafty Critters: March 18-22, 2024
Spring Wings: March 25-28, 2024
SPES campers birdwatch at Beaver Lake. Photo by Anthony Ho.
Summer EcoCamps for Kids in Stanley Park
Enjoy nature through engaging activities, games, and crafts designed to ignite curiosity and foster a love for ecology and wildlife. Young minds will explore, discover, and connect with the wonders of the forests, wetlands, and beaches of Stanley Park.
For ages 7-11 during the Summer Break
(4 days) Beach Explorers – July 2-5, 2024
Art in the Park – July 8-12, 2024
Wizarding Wilderness – July 15-19, 2024
Stanley Park Survivor – July 22-26, 2024
Wonderful Wetlands – July 29-Aug 2, 2024
(4 days) Jurassic Stanley Park – Aug 6-9, 2024
Winged Wonders – Aug 12-16, 2024
Beach Explorers – Aug 19-23, 2024
Theatre in the Trees – Aug 26-30, 2024
These camps often sell out and can be a favourite part of many children’s springs or summers. With one week already sold out there spots are bound to fill up fast so register today. Members of the Stanley Park Ecology Society get a discounted rate.
Stanley Park Ecology Society promotes awareness of and respect for the natural world through collaborative leadership in environmental education, research, and conservation in Stanley Park. Miss604’s Rebecca Bollwitt is a Board Executive of SPES.
The Botanica Tulip Festival, previously the Chilliwack Tulip Festival, has announced that its newly reimagined event is set to bloom in spring 2024. Guests from Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and beyond can explore the pathways, tulip fields and other must-see attractions in a charming country setting.
Photo Submitted
Botanica Tulip Festival in Chilliwack
Dates: Tentatively scheduled to open April 12th and run through May
Conveniently located off of Highway 1, Botanica Tulip Festival’s breathtaking floral displays will span over 13 acres with 1.5 million bulbs, showcasing 59 unique varieties of tulips along with delightful surprises waiting to be discovered. Visitors can also bring home spring blooms with Upick, an opportunity for guests to pick their own tulips straight from the field.
Festival organizers, the Pauls Family, are a multigenerational farming family and the previous hosts of the Chilliwack Tulip Festival. Local tulip festivals have attracted visitors to the Fraser Valley from all over the world over the last decade and have become a spring-filled attraction for many locals and tourists alike.
Tulip festivals are a vibrant celebration of nature’s beauty, bringing thousands of visitors to the valley each year to enjoy the colourful displays and endless photo opportunities. Follow Botanica Tulip Festival on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for the latest news and updates.
New This Year
Botanica Tulip Festival is delighted to have a Ferris Wheel on-site, offering visitors a chance to take in the spectacular views of the expansive 13 acre tulip fields from above. A bird’s eye view of the rainbow-coloured fields awaits! The Ferris wheel will be available for the first three weeks of the festival only and is an add-on option, available when purchasing tickets online for $8 and at the gate for $10. Botanica Tulip Festival will also offer floral workshops hosted by Lam Ear’s Floral, another festival add-on for those looking to enhance their experience.
This weekend the city celebrates the Lunar New Year with a parade, community events, workshops, and family fun. There’s also a solid lineup of concerts, attractions, workshops, and markets. Find these events and even more things to do around Metro Vancouver listed below:
Part of Gastown is going car free this summer, following the direction of City Council to turn Water Street into a pedestrian zone for a pilot project throughout July and August.
Gastown Pedestrian Zone Pilot
During the pedestrian zone pilot, sections of Water Street will be closed to vehicles to allow for public seating, community activations, expanded patios, merchandise displays, art installations, special events and active transportation.
In preparation, City staff will continue to work closely with area residents and businesses to support their access needs and reduce impacts. Throughout the pilot, local access points for vehicles will be maintained at designated sections along Water Street.
To ensure businesses can easily and creatively use the additional street space, the City is offering flexible design options and simplified permitting processes for expanded patios, merchandise displays and other potential business uses.
Where Will This Be
During the Pedestrian Zone Pilot, sections of Water Street and Maple Tree Square will be closed to vehicles to allow visitors a safe and enjoyable environment to soak up the neighbourhood, take in performances, shop, people watch and dine in the heart of Gastown.
In designated “Car-Free” blocks, vehicle access will be restricted. However, local access will be maintained on all “Car-Light” blocks to provide access to the area for deliveries, visitors, and customers.
Upcoming Repairs & Traffic Changes
In advance of the pilot, this spring the City will be making urgent repairs to Maple Tree Square from March until June, 2024. Maple Tree Square will be closed to vehicles during repairs, resulting in traffic changes and impacts throughout Gastown. More information on the upcoming repairs and associated traffic changes will be shared in the coming weeks through a technical briefing. Previous repairs to the 1970s-era cobblestone took place in 2012.
Gastown Public Spaces Plan
The Water Street Pedestrian Zone Pilot is the first initiative to come out of the Gastown Public Spaces Plan, which is exploring the future of public spaces in Gastown.
Establish a vibrant, people-focused Gastown with enhanced gathering places, streets, and laneways to support a range of activities.
Pedestrianize Water Street seasonally or year-round, starting with a pilot in summer 2024.
Improve the street network to support a pedestrianized Water St, including walking, cycling, transit, and vehicle connections and consideration of Cordova as a 2-way street.
Advance Reconciliation with the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations and support their visibility on their lands.
Evolve and deepen the unique heritage feel of the area, including improved street materials and amenities.
Identify phased project timing and funding.
Feedback from the pilot, and future public engagement on the Gastown Public Spaces Plan, will inform a long-term vision for pedestrianizing Water Street. Staff will report back to Council in fall 2024 on the pilot outcomes.
Update May 10, 2024: This week, Council voted to waive fees for the new and expanded patios and merchandise displays participating in the pedestrian zone pilot and contribute $20,000 towards restarting the Gastown Business Improvement Society’s parking initiative, which will offer visitors three hours of free parking once a week during the pilot.
The FVDED in the Park lineup, for the event’s 9th and biggest edition, has just been announced! Blueprint Events and Live Nation Canada announced the return of one of western Canada’s largest in-city music festival July 5-6, 2024 at Surrey’s Holland Park. The two-day event will bring non-stop energy to music fans with all-star lineup of dance and electronic acts.
Tickets: General Admission, GA+ and VIP tickets will go on sale beginning February 14, 2024 at 11:00am. Sign up for pre-sale access here. Layaway plans are available for General Admission and VIP.
FVDED is bringing some of EDM’s biggest names to Metro Vancouver, curating its most exciting lineup to date. Swedish House Mafia, Kx5 (Kaskade & deadmau5), Diplo, John Summit and Dom Dolla will headline this year’s festival, and will be joined by Chris Lake, Nora En Pure, Chase & Status, and many more.
Swedish House Mafia Kx5 (Kaskade & deadmau5) Diplo John Summit Dom Dolla Gryffin Chris Lake Slander Gorgon City ISOXO Dr. Fresch Elderbrook Nora En Pure
Kream Joy Anonymous Qrion its murph Yung Singh ALUNA Christine Yurie Ahahadream Seb C Chase & Status Deathpact
FVDED in the Park is going into its 9th and biggest year, bringing in some of the industry’s top talent. Put on by Blueprint Events and Live Nation Canada, it is one of Western Canada’s biggest musical festivals.
