Spring 2022 Vancouver Park Stewardship Newsletter
 
Spring 2022
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 Park Board News
Stewardship, Local Food, Arts   Culture

 

 

 

A Growing Newsletter!

The Park Board Newsletter is dedicated to sharing events and resources for all ages. This season we are sharing several opportunities for online engagement as well as in-person events. 

Stewardship, Local Food, and Decolonization, Arts & Culture staff collaborated on this issue to offer a broader look into the work community organizations do to support individual wellbeing, community connection, a thriving arts and culture sector, and resilient urban ecosystems in Vancouver parks and to share Park Board initiative and updates.

 

 

 

Spring Highlights
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Coexisting with urban wildlife

When the sun starts peeking out from behind the rainclouds in spring, many of us start to feel a little more alive and active than we did over the winter months. So do wildlife! We share the city with many critters, ranging from coyotes, to ducks, to eagles and more.

In this spring newsletter, we're sharing some information about what's been going on with urban wildlife in Vancouver parks. Read on to learn a little bit more about great research partners monitoring bats in the province, some of the birds you might see coming home to roost around the city, how the Park Board has been managing coyotes in Stanley Park, and more.

 

 

 

What's happening with wildlife?
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Researchers ask public for help protecting BC‘s bats

The B.C. Community Bat Program, in collaboration with the Province of B.C., are asking the public for help in the effort to detect and prevent the spread of White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) in B.C.‘s bats.

Residents are asked to report any bat activity observed in winter, when they should be hibernating, and any sick or dead bats found before May 31st. 

Two species present in B.C.—Little Brown and Northern Bats—are now listed as Endangered under federal Species at Risk legislation. As a key predator for many invertebrate species, bats are essential parts of B.C.‘s ecosystems.

With spring around the corner and nicer weather coming to our region, the program is encouraging the public to look up to the skies on nice nights around sunset for bat activity. Please report any bat sightings and dead bats to the B.C. Community Bat Program. Bat carcasses are very important as they can be tested for WNS.

Reports can be made online at www.bcbats.ca , via email at vancouver@bcbats.ca or by calling 1-855-922-2287 ext. 11 (1-855-GOT-BATS).

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Coexisting with Coyotes

Spring is coyote breeding season. Around this time of year, coyotes will be protective of their territories, dens and pups. They might escort humans or especially pets, out of their territory. 

The Stanley Park Ecology Society manages the "Co-Existing with Coyotes" program, which shares many resources and tips about how to share the city with these canine predators. Check out their website for more information about recent sightings, how to keep your pets safe, what to expect during breeding season, and how to manage attractants.

Don't feed wildlife

Don't feed coyotes, of course, but even leaving food out for birds, squirrels and other "prey" can attract coyotes or raccoons. At Stanley Park, we've been trialing new wildlife resistant waste bins to limit access to attractants.

Keep pets leashed

Coyotes may see your dog as a threat or as prey, and pets may react unpredictably when faced with a predator. Always keep your pet on a leash unless in a designated off-leash area.

Keep cats indoors

Cats are easy prey for urban-adapted coyotes. Pet cats can also negatively impact local wildlife, such as songbirds. Keep your cat indoors, or walk them on a harness if you want to bring them outside.
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If you encounter a coyote

And it leaves you alone... 
Back away slowly and report your sighting to the Stanley Park Ecology Society.

If it becomes aggressive or approaches you...
Be big, be brave, be loud. Wave your arms and yell, shake a noisemaker like coins in a can if you have one. Take steps toward the coyote while you do this. If the coyote does not retreat, back away slowly and call the RAPP line right away. 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP) 

Park Board staff have been working closely with researchers and the Stanley Park Ecology Society to develop an aversion conditioning program so that coyotes don't get too comfortable or aggressive with humans and pets. Please support our efforts to keep both people and wildlife safe by maintaining a respectful distance from coyotes and all other wild and feral animals.

 

 

 

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Nesting season for eagles and other birds

You may be surprised to learn that bald eagles, herons, falcons and many other large birds return to nest in urban areas of Vancouver every year.

February 1st through August 15th is raptor breeding season in B.C., and March 15th - August 15th is similarly the nesting window for many other birds.

There are also known eagle nests at Vanier, Stanley, Strathcona and Hastings Community Parks. Please tread lightly and enjoy watching them from a respectful distance!

The Hancock Foundation monitors several known eagle nests in the Lower Mainland using nest cameras. Check out the live streams below!

During nesting season, it's important that there is no vegetation disturbance within 60m of known nests. We strive to limit noise and disturbance near known nesting sites, particularly amplified sound. Park Rangers will increase monitoring and enforcement of such disturbances near nesting sites throughout April. We ask for the public's cooperation in minimizing disturbance during this sensitive nesting period.

 

 

 

Herons return to Stanley Park

Vancouver is home to one of North America's largest known colonies of Pacific Great Blue Herons. At the Park Board, we're fortunate to have them roosting right outside our windows at Stanley Park!

In 2020, 94 of the 104 nests were occupied by a heron family, though we estimate that 80% or 83 nests successfully raised fledglings.

These herons are a species at risk in Canada and the Stanley Park colony is a vital part of the south coast population. One-third of great blue herons worldwide live around the Salish Sea. 

The Park Board, along with our friends at Stanley Park Ecology Society, help sustain the heron population through monitoring, stewardship, and education.

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Resilient marine life in False Creek

Photo (left) by Fernando Lessa.

In our last newsletter we profiled Vancouver-based photographer and biologist Fernando Lessa, who is working with the Park Board to develop short-films about salmon in Vancouver's urban streams.

Fernando has also been busy diving and documenting other aquatic and marine life in Vancouver, including in some surprising places. False Creek faces many environmental challenges as a result of pollution, boat traffic and runoff from surrounding land use. It may not be "pristine" habitat, but Fernando found a surprising amount of resilient marine life there.

Check out this recent Tyee article which shares photos and reflections from Fernando's recent dives in False Creek.

 

 

 

Environment   Stewardship Events
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Wonders of the Salish Sea - Virtual Conference

LOCATION
Online

DATES
April 4th, 11th, 25th and May 2nd
7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT

DESCRIPTION
The Wonders of the Salish Sea is an environmental education program designed to awaken a sense of wonder and foster a deep connection in the Salish Sea ecosystem. The Salish Sea is one of the largest inland seas in the world. Discover the wonders of this uniquely biodiverse, yet fragile, marine ecosystem with the guidance of local marine scientists, naturalists, and environmentalists.

Stewardship Series

DATES
Multiple dates, online and in-person options

DESCRIPTION
The Stanley Park Ecology Society and the Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver are pleased to co-host a Regional Stewardship Series for the Metro Vancouver region, "Stewards Supporting Stewards".
Join this series of talks to meet other like-minded environmental stewards from across the region, share your ideas about the future of the series, learn about relevant resources and tips, and share your knowledge and experience with others.

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Invasive Species Action Month

DATES
Throughout May, events TBD

DESCRIPTION
May is Invasive Species Action Month in BC! An invasive species is one that occurs outside its natural range and whose introduction has significant ecological, social and/or economic impacts. Invasive plants can take over our parks, gardens and natural areas. Check in with the ISCMV to learn how to best manage your invaders and to find out about stewardship events in your community. There are many parks stewards projects in Vancouver and May is a great month to get involved!

Still Moon Spring Stewardship

LOCATION
Cornett Road & Natal Street
3445 Cornett Rd
Vancouver, BC V5M 2Y2

DATES
Saturday, April 16th [Register] 10:00am - 1:00pm
Saturday, April 30th [Register] 10:00am - 1:00pm

DESCRIPTION
Come learn about some native plant identification, invasive species management techniques, and some of the tasks involved in maintaining an active restoration site. Still Moon's 2022 Spring Stewardship Series features two events in April, and we are going to check in on the native plants that were planted in 2021, do some weeding around them to give them space for the growing season, as well as planting additional plants for the growing season. Come get active stewarding important wildlife habitat in the Still Creek Watershed. 

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Bird Dawn Chorus

LOCATION
Colour Me Local Dye Garden at Renfrew Ravine Park

DATES
Sunday, May 1st - 5:45am - 7:00am

DESCRIPTION
Join Still Moon dance artist-in-residence Carolina Bergonzoni in a movement exploration as part of the Bird Dawn Chorus. We will be moving in response to the sound of nature, exploring the creative possibilities of silence and stillness to create dance movement that responds to nature. Dawn Chorus aims to inspire connection with our bodies, nature, and the surrounding biodiversity!

Everett Crowley Park Stewardship

LOCATION
Everett Crowley Park - Meet at the front doors of Champlain Heights Community Centre (3350 Maquinna Dr, Vancouver, BC V5S 4C6)

DATES
All ages: May 14th, May 28th, June 18th (10am - 12:30pm)
Youth (13-18 yrs): May 21, June 4 (1:30pm - 3:30pm)

DESCRIPTION
Get dirty, have fun and help the environment! Join us for biweekly stewardship events to help remove invasive plants, and learn more about the unique history and ecology of Everett Crowley Park. Gloves, tools and light refreshments are provided. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy, close-toed shoes. Weather permitting.
 
To sign up, participants can register on ActiveNet or contact ECPC (ecpc@vcn.bc.ca)

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Nature Walk in Everett Crowley Park

LOCATION
Everett Crowley Park - Meet in the parking lot (8200 Kerr St, Vancouver, BC V5S 4G5)

DATE
June 25th at 10am - 11:30pm

DESCRIPTION
Did you know that Champlain Heights is home to one of the largest parks in the City? Everett Crowley Park was a closed landfill for 25 years before its official opening as a park in 1987. Native and invasive plants have been slowly recolonizing the whole park, transforming it into a young forest of hardy deciduous trees and opportunistic blackberry. In this nature walk, you will learn about the park's history, ecology, community stewardship, and more!
 
To sign up, participants can register on ActiveNet or contact ECPC (ecpc@vcn.bc.ca)

City Nature Challenge

LOCATION
Anywhere in Metro Vancouver

DATE
April 29th - May 2, on your own time

DESCRIPTION
The City Nature Challenge is an annual, global biodiversity challenge where cities “compete” against each other to see how much biodiversity they can record over a spring weekend. You can contribute to community/citizen science during this global biodiversity challenge no matter where you are, from downtown Vancouver, to paddling the Pitt-Addington Marsh, to exploring the beaches of White Rock! 

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Heron photo by Martin Passchier

Earth Day in Stanley Park

LOCATION
Stanley Park - Beside the Stanley Park Brewing Restaurant and Brewpub

DATE
Saturday, April 23, 10:30am - 3:30pm

DESCRIPTION
Join Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES) on Saturday, April 23rd, for a day of earth-friendly action and awareness. Learn about the wildlife of Stanley Park and pitch in to help support the park's ecosystems. SPES staff will be on hand to lead visitors on guided walks of the Great Blue Heron colony and park wetlands, or on easy hikes through the forest. Flex your muscles to help remove invasive plants from wildlife habitat and have fun with some family-friendly eco games and heron ornament crafts. After all that activity, whet your whistle with some free samples of Stanley Park Brewing‘s new line of non-alcoholic beers. 

Become a SPES member that day or sign up for membership on the SPES website to participate in a special tour through Stanley Park‘s forest with Talaysay Tours. SPES Members will join a First Nations guide and cultural ambassador to learn about local plants harvested by Skwxu7mesh Uxwumixw – Coast Salish people, and hear stories of the land, people and Indigenous ways of living. 

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Cool 'Hood Champs

Led by a team of climate change and urban forestry experts from UBC‘s Collaborative for Advanced Landscape Planning, Cool ’Hood Champs is a series of interactive workshops that help participants:

• Identify climate impacts and solutions within their neighbourhood
• Envision their ideal climate-friendly neighbourhood
• Champion climate action within their community
• Connect their climate action with Vancouver‘s and B.C.‘s climate policies

Workshop series are three sessions long and free of cost. 
Multiple dates and locations throughout April, May and June.


Cottonwood Community Garden - Plots available

Garden plots have recently become available at the Cottonwood Community Garden in Strathcona Park. To inquire about availability, contact the garden society at cottonwoodgarden@gmail.com.

 

 

 

Job opportunity

Conservation Projects Manager - Stanley Park Ecology Society

The Stanley Park Ecology Society is hiring a Conservation Projects Manager.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Conservation Projects is responsible for the implementation and management of conservation projects within Stanley Park in alignment with the organization‘s mission and in agreement with Vancouver Park Board.

Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES) promotes awareness of and respect for the natural world through collaborative leadership in environmental education, research, and conservation in Stanley Park. SPES celebrates diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects and expands the community they serve.


 

 

 

Arts   Culture Events
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Means of Production Hillside Terracing

LOCATION
Means of Production (MOP) Garden, China Creek North Park

DATES
April 19th - 21st, 2022

DESCRIPTION
This 3-session intensive stewardship project is an opportunity to get to know the MOP food forest and the amazing group of volunteers that steward this beloved community garden. Means of Production is built on a steep hillside, and every few years we take on a project like this that makes the hill a bit easier to walk, a ‘cut and roll turf’ approach with a group makes for a quick flattened pathway, easily woodchipped for easier travels amongst the berries and fruit trees. Spent time weeding, wood chipping, pruning and trellis-building on this multi-day, multi-task, stewardship extravaganza!

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Cultural Territories 101

LOCATION
Free online event

DATES
April 14th 7:00pm - 8:30pm Pacific, online

DESCRIPTION
Earthand Gleaners is hosting a new addition to the Cultural Territories 101 series. In this series, through guided discussions, guest speakers and participants explore the plants, fibres, weaving and cultural practices of First Nations while also discussing the implications of colonialism on these practices and everyday life. People from all knowledge levels are welcome, and group participation/discussion is highly encouraged.

Nations in discussion: Heiltsuk, Nuxalk, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Kwakwak’awakw

Free, online program with limited space to allow for conversational group - so register early!

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Free Art Supplies "Yard Sale" at Elm Park Fieldhouse

Are you doing your Spring Cleaning? Please consider donating/upcycling your unwanted art supplies and materials to the Elm Park Fieldhouse. 

Please contact hello.elmhouse@gmail.com to find out about available drop off times at the fieldhouse, pick-up times in your neighbourhood in April and May, or to set up an appointment for drop off.

Knotless Netting – Dressing a Stone and Making a Pouch

LOCATION
Online

DATES
April 13th, 7:00pm - 8.30pm Pacific April 13, online

DESCRIPTION
This ancient stitching technique has been used to make pouches and bags in many parts of the world. In this workshop, participants will start by learning design variations of knotless netting using waxed threads worked over a smooth stone – thus Dressing a Stone. The second project will be creating a Small Pouch with the option of making it into a necklace. 

This is a paid program with a sliding scale. Registration closes April 4th 10am.

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All Nations Drum Circle

LOCATION
Clinton Park 2690 Grant Street (in-person) and online (Zoom)

DATES
Every Tuesday, 1:00pm - 2:00pm

DESCRIPTION
Grab your drums/a frying-pan/buckets/noise-makers and sing traditional songs, tell stories, learn about Indigenous teachings with Jessie Seegerts, Elders and community members from all cultures.

All Nations Drum Circle is part of the Waacus Salee Project. It started as a weekly in-person drum circle at P’ipa:m Lelum (Frog House)-Clinton Park Fieldhouse. 

As the pandemic circumstance gradually improves, All Nations Drum Circle is opening up for in-person sessions from April to June. Zoom is also available for those who prefer to join us online from your office, home or wherever you are at.

Inquiries? Contact Jessie at jessie@froghollow.bc.ca 

Art in the Park

LOCATION
Clinton Park 2690 Grant Street (in-person) 

DATES
Every Wednesday, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

DESCRIPTION
This is not a class or workshop but a time to gather and create works of art. Frog Hollow have plenty of supplies and many mediums of art to explore, or maybe you have a project at home you would like to do in the company of others. 

Inquiries? Contact Jessie at jessie@froghollow.bc.ca 
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Haiku Writing Workshop

LOCATION
Online

DATES
April 19th, 6:00pm Pacific

If you ever wanted to give haiku a try and just didn‘t know where to get started, this is the workshop for you! Michael Dylan Welch, the founder of National Haiku Writing Month and cofounder of the American Haiku Archives and the Haiku North America conference, takes us on preliminary exploration of haiku poetry in English.

 

 

 

Artists in Communities

Artists in Communities partners selected for 2022

The Vancouver Park Board is pleased to announce the Artists in Communities (AIC) artist in residence projects that will take place at False Creek, Marpole Oakridge and Raycam Community Centres in 2022. AIC fosters creativity in communities through a range of artist-led participatory projects designed to bring the arts to everyday life for folks of all ages and abilities. 

Artists in Communities host a variety of inclusive public events, and collaborate with community members (who may not see themselves as artists) as creators, producers, performers, and active audiences.

Click the "Learn more" button below to learn more about this year's artists, and find opportunities to co-create and get involved!

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Jimmy Joseph and Lisa G

Marpole Oakridge Community Centre
Join artists Jimmy Joseph (fourth generation Kwagiulth carver from Alert Bay) and Lisa G (from Iris Film Collective) to co-create a community art panel that will be displayed in the Marpole Oakridge Community Centre. Everyone is welcome to help design, paint, and document this project.
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Sylvan Hamburger


False Creek Community Centre
Sylvan is hosting regular pop-up workshops for Mudflats, so named for the ecosystem that predated settler development of False Creek.. These free, public events are an opportunity to meet neighbours, learn about False Creek's history, and create vibrant installations that will hang in the community centre. 
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Bracken Hanuse Corlett

Raycam Community Centre
Explore the history of the Raycam building with interdisciplinary artist Bracken Hanuse Corlett who hails from the Wuikinuxv and Klahoose Nations. Bracken will facilitate workshops to create art that includes digital design, animation, performance, and projection mapping that will be shown both inside and outside of the centre.

 

 

 

What we're working on
Park Board staff are working hard on a variety of projects you might find interesting, related to arts, culture, decolonization, environment and more. Here's a snapshot of what our Environment team has been up to recently!
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Geese Management Plan

Did you know that many of the Canada Geese in Vancouver were introduced to the area by settlers, and bred to eat and hunt? They're big fans of city parks! With few natural predators in the city, their numbers are large and growing. Unfortunately, large congregations of geese have negative impacts on the landscape, park amenities and habitat for other wildlife.

Like other birds, geese pair and prepare to nest in the spring. During this time, a team of trained Park Board staff will visit known nests to addle eggs. Addling is a humane method of preventing eggs from hatching and minimizing population growth. The Park Board has been using this method for over a decade.

The Park Board are consulting with experts to study the size and distribution of the goose population in the city.  This work will lead to an action plan that will allow the Park Board to make calculated decisions about managing the goose population and its impacts.
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Meadows Pilot Project

In 2020 and 2021, the Park Board reduced mowing at 20 conventional "lawn" sites around the city, converting them into meadows.

Mowing and irrigating grass lawns consumes a lot of resources and staff time, and results in relatively barren fields that don't support biodiversity. By converting some lawns into meadows, we’ve reduced our resource consumption (e.g. gasoline, water), saved money, sequestered carbon, and created social and ecological value for Vancouver communities.

It's a simple change that has had a big positive impact. Data from our research partners shows that the meadow pilot sites are now home to more diverse and abundant native bees, birds and beneficial insects compared to conventional grass lawns. Meadows are also cooler and moister environments that make the surrounding landscape more resilient to the effects of climate change. The meadows provide refuge for both people and wildlife during increasingly common summer heatwaves, and provide new opportunities for residents to reap the health benefits of having good access to nature. 


Like the sound of that? Consider participating in "No Mow May"

You can support urban biodiversity while also taking it easy on your spring yardwork! Many pollinating insects overwinter in backyard garden debris, and the first bees to awaken after the winter often depend on dandelions and other early-blooming weeds. The Nature Conservancy of Canada recommends that people who care for yards or gardens wait until the end of May to mow, weed, and clear winter debris.

 

 

 

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Did you know?

The Jericho Beach Bunnies are abandoned pets

Many people are excited to see the friendly bunnies hanging out around Jericho Beach. What many people don't realize is that these rabbits are not native wildlife in Vancouver, but actually the descendants of abandoned pets. 

Sometimes people make an impulse decision to get a pet during a holiday (like Easter) without realizing what a big commitment they are. Some people may believe that releasing their unwanted pet is the best thing for it, but actually, released pets do not have very good lives. They're likely to be killed by vehicles, die of disease or exposure, or be eaten by predators like coyotes. In BC, releasing a pet is considered an act of animal cruelty and charges can be laid.

But, if they do survive, they can become invasive and disrupt the entire ecosystem. At Jericho Beach, the invasive European Rabbits eat native plants faster than they can grow, leaving behind barren
areas that do not support biodiversity, and harming ecological restoration efforts. Turtles and frogs are other commonly released pets that are negatively affecting the ecosystems of Jericho Beach.

Many people believe feeding wildlife is an act of kindness. In reality, they may be enabling over-population, disease, malnourishment, aggression and other problems. Leaving food out for rabbits also attracts other pests, like rats and ticks, which carry deadly diseases that people and dogs can catch, like Lyme Disease.

Feeding rabbits and other wildlife is harmful to them, people, and the ecosystem. 

Please keep a respectful distance from all undomesticated animals.

 

 

 

COVID-19 Update

Many of our facilities have reopened and services have resumed, however there may still be some limitations, and all City and Park Board facilities are subject to provincial public health orders. To learn more about how COVID-19 policies affect your activities in parks and recreation facilities, please click "Learn more" below.


 

 

 

Vancouver Park Board Community Supports

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Fieldhouse Activation

Vancouver Park Board's Fieldhouse Activation Program transforms former caretakers’ suites in parks across Vancouver into active spaces for community engaged creative practices including arts, culture, local food,  and environmental programming.

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Neighbourhood Matching Fund

The Neighbourhood Matching Fund supports neighbourhood-based groups who want to creatively enhance parks or other public lands through community art, environmental stewardship, or garden projects.


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Artists in Communities

The Vancouver Park Board Artists in Communities program builds connection by making art together using principles of community cultural development. We host artist residencies each year in participating community centres and other park facilities.

Check out the following Vancouver Park Board & City strategies for more information

 

 

 

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