Summer Park Stewardship, Local Food, Arts & Culture Newsletter
 
Summer 2021 | Vol. 19
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 Park Board News
Stewardship, Local Food, Arts   Culture

 

 

 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, activities and gatherings may have looked a bit different from years prior. However, our communities have shown us how resilient and creative they can be in adapting to the changing environment. A number of events and programs were hosted online, safety plans were created to ensure proper protocols were followed, and activities prioritized people’s health and safety while maintaining ongoing access to the spaces and programs that are integral to the wellbeing of our communities. Many found a way to stay connected to one another and welcomed opportunities to create new connections with other people and also to the land they live and work on. 

 

 

 

July 2021 COVID Stewardship Activities Update 

The Province has moved to Step 3 of the Restart plan, which allows additional flexibility for events. In fact, you can host up to 5,000 people outdoors (but you‘ll definitely need a permit for that!). If you are planning an indoor event the maximum number of people is 50 or 50% of the capacity of the space, whichever is the greater number. Masks are recommended in indoor public settings for all people 12 and older who are not yet fully vaccinated.
 
As there are still some risks present (e.g., variants, unvaccinated vulnerable people), we encourage COVID-aware practices, particularly for indoor events, including:
- Creating a COVID safety plan for each unique activity (i.e., ongoing work parties require only one plan) and have it reviewed by the Park Board.  Email parkstewards@vancouver.ca to request and submit a restart plan form. If your activities will remain the same, there is no need to send a new safety plan.
- Providing training for the groups/program leaders on the safety plan if they are not directly involved in creating it
- Having on site signage reminding people to distance, use PPE and sanitize/wash hands and shared surfaces (e.g., tools) frequently; Park Board can provide these signs at your request
- Having each participant complete a health declaration at the start of your activity. You can have participants acknowledge this orally or by initialing a sign in sheet.
- Ensuring all participants are pre-registered so contact tracing information is available if needed
- Avoiding sharing food or have individual servings prepared 

If you have any questions about how Step 3 impacts your work, please do not hesitate to reach out.
 
Many thanks for the time and effort you have put into offering safe and meaningful experiences in your communities,
 
Environmental Stewardship Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Highlights

 

 

 

Growing Produce for Vancouver Residents

For a second growing season, Sunset Nursery, VanDusen Botanical Gardens and the Fraserview and Langara golfcourses are growing food and donating fresh produce to meal and hamper programs at the Carnegie Community Centre, Strathcona Community Centre and Gathering Place. This work started last year at the beginning of the pandemic when our operations staff took the initiative to utilize park horticulture spaces to grow vegetables and herbs in response to the increasing levels of food insecurity as a result of the pandemic.  
 
VanDusen is expected to harvest around 3,000 pounds of produce by the end of the season. Last year, Sunset Nursery grew over 6,800 pounds of produce that was distributed to organizations that provide residents with access to fresh food. You can read more about last years initiative in this CBC article.
 
“Food system sustainability is of great importance. It's rewarding to see our system and our staff working to better the Vancouver food landscape in this way.”
Camil Dumont, Park Board Chair
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Community Food Market at Pandora Park

To support their community during the pandemic, the Kiwassa Neighbourhood House (KNH) started a community food market at Pandora Park that provides fresh and affordable produce to the neighbourhood every Wednesday from 2-4 p.m*
 
In association with Community Food Centres Canada’s “Market Greens” program, KNH is offering subsidies for those that qualify. If someone in your household is managing a chronic, diet-related health condition you may be eligible. 
 
*Market time is 3-6 PM on the following dates:  June 30, July 28 and August 25


For more information visit their website.  

Image: Liam Hill-Allan
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Local Food Action Plan Update

In 2013, the Park Board adopted a 5-year Local Food Action Plan with the aim to become a leader in supporting and growing local, sustainable food. With many of the actions achieved and a need to integrate emerging priorities, the plan is being updated.

The update process has included food systems research, an assessment of the 2013 plan, and several rounds of engagement. Staff are now working on developing a draft plan. Staff plan to present the updated plan to the board by the end of the year. 

 

 

 

Outdoor Preschools

The Park Board supports outdoor preschools in Vancouver Parks and has an orientation process. In fall 2021, we will be implementing a permit that will be required by all outdoor preschools to help limit impacts on ecology and other park users. If you have not been in touch with a Park Board staff person about your preschool, please contact pbgreen@vancouver.ca.

 

 

 

Pollinator Meadows

The Vancouver Park Board is piloting pollinator meadow management in passive use areas of 18 parks across the city.
The meadows will produce a variety of blooms from clover to native lupines to attract pollinator bees, butterflies, and birds and will be open for park users to explore and enjoy.

Pollinator meadows have multiple benefits, including:
- Improved habitat for beneficial species including bees, birds, and butterflies 
- Cooler moist soil for trees
- Exciting areas for park-users to explore
- Less carbon emissions during maintenance 

Visit the project page to learn more about the locations. 
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Summer Events

 

 

 

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Instruments of Change: Infectious Gratitude

Where

Various Parks


Description

Vancouver non-profit Instruments of Change welcomes the people of Vancouver to offer “pop up shout outs” of Infectious Gratitude this summer to local business and spaces as a thank you for services provided to our communities. This initiative intends to spread gratitude instead of fear, as we emerge from this collectively challenging time more hopeful and connected.

With funding provided by the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation through the Neighbourhood Matching Fund, artists Laura Barron (instrumentsofchange.org) and Wen Wen Lu (wenwenart.com) invite community to appreciate and advocate for their local assets (businesses, services, green spaces) in creative ways at safe, (socially distanced) weekly, pop-up booths in various well-trafficked Vancouver parks throughout this upcoming July and August.

By asking participants: “What would you like to see “thrive” in your community?” they will facilitate a creative process in which community members can express their gratitude through “urban love letters”, haiku poetry and/or visual art. All creative work will be documented on a digital map, as well as distributed throughout the city in surprise installations that are intended to “virally” spread gratitude throughout the city that we all love.

Instagram: infectiousgratitudeyvr
infectiousgratitudeyvr@gmail.com
For more information: www.facebook.com/infectiousgratitudeyvr

Dates: July 10 - August 5
Time: Varies
Location: Trout Lake Park, Riley Park, Kitsilano Beach Park, Second Beach, Locarno Beach and David Lam Park

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Stanley Park Ecology Society Online Events

Where

Online


Description

Things You ‘Otter’ Know in Stanley Park
http://stanleyparkecology.ca/event/things-you-otter-know-in-stanley-park-online-2/

What's That Berry?
http://stanleyparkecology.ca/event/whats-that-berry-online/

The Herons Are Heading Out
http://stanleyparkecology.ca/event/the-herons-are-heading-out-online-2/

Talking Trees with Talaysay Tours
http://stanleyparkecology.ca/event/talking-trees-with-talaysay-tours-online-2/

Urban Wildlife: Sharing Space in the City
http://stanleyparkecology.ca/event/urban-wildlife-sharing-space-in-the-city-online/

Date: July 13 - 29
Time: Check links provided
Location: Online

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Mending Gatherings at Trillium

Where

Trillium Park, National Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada


Description

Join Jen Brant in the shade at Trillium park for small group gatherings to mend those garments needing love

Bring your own threads/scissors/pins and garments for mending, be inspired by Jen and other participants who may be able to help troubleshoot best mend options.

Have a mask on hand for closer work of technique exchange, otherwise social distancing will be practiced. Some chairs and table space available or bring a picnic blanket. Personal picnics dinners are encouraged!

2nd Wednesday of the month, weather permitting.

Free drop in event. For more information: earthand.com/events/mending-gatherings-at-trillium-2

Date: July 14 & August 11
Time: 6:00-9:00pm
Location: Trillium Park

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Grow Green Live Series: Tackling Invasive Species

Where

Metro Vancouver's Facebook page


Description

Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Planner Karin England will be joined by Metro Vancouver Regional Planner Laurie Bates-Frymel and Tasha Murray, Executive Director at Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver, for a segment on tackling invasive plant species in your garden.

To access the live stream, go to Metro Vancouver's Facebook page at 12:15pm, or follow Metro Vancouver on Facebook to receive notifications for this and future live events. Free for anyone to attend.

Date: July 15
Time: 12:15-1:00pm
Location: Metro Vancouver's Facebook page
www.facebook.com/metrovancouver

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World Listening Week Workshops/Events - Recording Your Stories & Isolation Stories

Where

Roundhouse Exhibition Hall & FM Radio


Description

Media artist Bobbi Kozinuk conducts two sessions on recording personal stories for False Creek audio walk - Queer Isolation Stories. Bring your phone and headphones and learn about story telling through sound recordings. No experience necessary.

Registration required: DB.Boyko@vancouver.ca

Date: July 15
Time: 7 – 8:30 pm
Location: Roundhouse Exhibition Hall

Date: July 17
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Location: Roundhouse Exhibition Hall

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Preview of Queer Language as a Virus: Isolation Stories

In partnership with the Queer Arts Festival
Tune in on FM Radio or scan one of the many QR codes along False Creek.
Link to audio stories visit www.roundhouse.ca/events/ and at kozinuk.ca/

Date: July 18
Time: 12 – 3pm
Location: FM Radio or QR codes

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World Listening Week Workshops/Events - Cardboard Orchestra Collaborative

Where

Roundhouse Exhibition Hall


Description

Cardboard Orchestra Collaborative Composition

Join composer Nikola Tošić and play the cardboard orchestra, an installation constructed by children and guest artist Alanna Ho from the Roundhouse’s Creative Remix summer camp. Fun for the whole family and absolutely no experience necessary. Participate in Sunday’s performance at 3pm.

Registration recommended: DB.Boyko@vancouver.ca

Date: July 17
Time: 2- 3:30 pm
Location: Roundhouse Exhibition Hall

Date: July 18
Time: 1 – 2:30 pm
Location: Roundhouse Exhibition Hall

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Carboard Collaborative Performance

Drop by and experience the cardboard orchestra, an installation made from paper and cardboard and motors.

Date: July 18
Time: 3:00 – 3:15 pm
Location: Roundhouse Exhibition Hall

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Ecostewards

Where

Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC, Canada


Description

Natural habitats in Stanley Park are being impacted by invasive species. Join us in the Park this week to enhance Vancouver’s largest urban forest by removing invasive species such as English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and yellow flag iris! By participating in this program, you will learn firsthand about the threat invasive species pose to our native ecosystems, make an important contribution to conservation and restoration in Stanley Park, and work with a great group of like minded volunteers in a beautiful outdoor setting.

This program typically runs on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., and all volunteers 16 and older are welcome to join. Eager volunteers younger than 16 and groups larger than 5 people will need permission from the program leader.

Check out our events calendar for an upcoming scheduled event! To sign up, follow the instructions on the calendar event, or contact the Stewardship Coordinator at stewardship@stanleyparkecology.ca, or call 604-718-6547.

Date: Jul 17 & August 7, 21
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Location: Stanley Park

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Community Restoration Session at Natal

Where

Cornett Road & Natal Street Vancouver, BC V5M 4H4


Description

Come join us for an invasive plant removal and native planting event! We will be picking up trash in and around the riparian area, removing some weedy plants (Himalayan blackberry, field bindweed). We will be planting some native shrubs to help re-vegetate the area.

Come learn about some of our local flora and fauna along the way! We'll be touching upon some native plant identification, their ecological functions, and some of their uses, past and present.

For more information and to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/community-restoration-session-at-natal-tickets-162340451661

Date: July 18
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Location: Cornett Road & Natal Street

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Ivy Gratitude Basket Weaving Workshop

Where

Colour Me Local Dye Garden, Renfrew Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada


Description

At our Ivy Gratitude Basket Weaving workshop, you will learn how to safely remove invasive English Ivy and weave it into a beautiful basket. This is the perfect event for any artistic environmentalist who is interested in finding creative ways to make art out of natural materials that need to be removed for a healthy ecosystem. We will both harvest the ivy and weave in the sanctuary of the Renfrew Ravine.

All the completed baskets will be gifted to hardworking speakers and artists at the 19th annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival. Your skills will live on in you, and you will walk away with knowledge of how to make baskets for yourself! So if you are an environmentalist who loves art and the gift of giving, join us for one of the three ivy weaving sessions we are hosting this summer!

This event is open to all ages!

For more information and to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ivy-gratitude-basket-weaving-workshop-tickets-162460671241

Date: July 20, August 3 & 18
Time: 11:00am-2:00pm
Location: Colour Me Local Dye Garden

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Still Moon Gardeners' Gatherings - Work Party

Where

3958 Renfrew Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada


Description

At our Gardeners' Gathering Work Parties, we’ll be weeding, watering, and maintaining the Colour Me Local Dye Garden. Come out and join for some fun getting your hands dirty, while connecting with other gardeners in the community. On some of these sessions, we may bring a dye pot and fabric test strips so we can experiment with natural dyeing while we work!

For more information and to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/still-moon-gardeners-gatherings-work-party-tickets-162350529805

Date: July 21 & August 18
Time: 5:30-7:30pm
Location: Colour Me Local Dye Garden

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Yin Yang Mosaic and Bench Cleanup

Where

3900 Renfrew Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada


Description

Our Yin Yang Mosaic Bench is a beautiful place to sit, read and gather. Unfortunately, it has become overgrown with moss and we need your help to restore it! In this afternoon session, we will remove invasive plants and weeds overwhelming the installation while spending quality time in this place and with one another. You will get volunteer hours for your hard work, and be rewarded with iced tea and celebration!

For more information and to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/yin-yang-mosaic-and-bench-cleanup-tickets-162502763139

Date: July 24
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Location: 3900 Renfrew Street

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Seasonal Almanac Journal Guild

Where

Online


Description

Free program, Join Jaymie Johnson (Nelson) and Sharon Kallis (Vancouver) and share what you are finding, tending, harvesting and using from your garden. Lets inspire each other and learn about the dyes, pigments, teas, herbal medicines and weaving fibres we are tending and harvesting. A monthly practice of sharing what we are seeing, noting phenological garden observations and doing some drawings of the plants we have in our lives.

This is a drop in program, we hope that many will be able to join for most of the sessions, but missing a few is not a problem. Register separately for each session- registration closes 24 hours before each session. Zoom and camera capability is required to participate.

For more information and to register: https://earthand.com/events/seasonal-almanac-journal-guild-4/

Date: July 26 & August 30 (last Monday of each month)
Time: 7:00-8:30pm
Location: Online

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Repeat Photography: History and Practical Ecological Applications

Where

Online


Description

Repeat photography is a technique which involves taking multiple photographs of the same subject, from the same location, at different times. First used as a scientific tool at the end of the 19th century to study glacier change in the Tyrolean Alps, its use spread to North America with the advent of surveying for route mapping and railway construction. In Canada, surveyors developed their own photo-topographic survey methods to map the high mountain peaks and passes of the Rocky Mountains. The photographic legacy of those surveys still exists today in what is known as the Mountain Legacy Project: the world’s largest collection of historical and repeat photographs of mountain landscapes.

This presentation will provide a brief overview of the history and basics of repeat photography and discuss how this technique can be used to assess ecological changes in different ecosystems. Three repeat photography projects will be described, with a focus on the Mountain Legacy Project methods and research outcomes.

For more information and to register: https://naturevancouver.ca/events/repeat-photography-history-and-practical-ecological-applications/

Date: July 29
Time: 7:00-9:00pm
Location: Online

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Vines Art Festival

Where

Various Parks


Description

Vines is an arts organization and festival that is responsive to and nurturing of artists that are working toward land, water, and relational justice. We support underrepresented voices in developing their work. We bring imagination into everyday spaces by presenting work for free on “earthstages” – populated and natural public spaces in Vancouver and throughout the province.

For more information visit vinesartfestival.com

Date: Aug 9-19
Time: Check website
Location: Check website

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Crafting Summer Socials

Where

Trillium Park, National Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada


Description

Feeling socially out of practice?

Here’s a chance to hang out with other makers, have a visit with old friends and make use of some of EartHand’s fibre processing equipment while redeveloping those socialization muscles.

Bring your project in progress and a personal snack. Please bring a mask for moments where social distancing is not possible as well as any show and tell from ‘pandemic maker time’ that you need to show someone who doesn’t life in your home.

For more information: earthand.com/events/crafting-summer-socials-2/

Date: August 14
Time: 11:00am-4:00pm
Location: Trillium Park

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Get Involved on Your Street!

 

 

 

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Vancouver Tree Guardian 

Vancouver‘s urban forest includes every tree in the city – on streets, in parks and public spaces, and in back yards. 

The urban forest is an important contributor to environmental and social health. Trees clean the air, absorb rainwater, provide wildlife habitat, and improve physical and mental health and well-being. 

You can help car for the urban forest by watering young street trees for 5 minutes 3 times a week.

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Green Streets

The Green Streets program began as a pilot project with 15 volunteer gardeners. Since then, Green Streets has bloomed into a program with hundreds of gardeners caring for planted traffic circles and street corners across Vancouver.

Green Streets gardens not only enhance public space, they help manage rainwater, provide habitat for wildlife, build community, and add more green space to the communities where we live, work, and play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Header photos taken at Stanley Park and Jericho forest. Dancer Melissa Panetta photographed by Brenda Kent
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