Parks

The Vancouver Park Board is asking would-be skaters not to venture out onto frozen lakes and ponds in city parks. Most ice is too thin to support people or even pets.

Recent cold temperatures have allowed ice to form on lakes and ponds; however the ice is not thick enough to permit skating. Warmer temperatures, snow and rain in the forecast will add to the danger.

Warning signs are posted at traditional skating locations and park rangers and lifeguards are patrolling the areas reminding people to stay off the ice.

Locations include Trout Lake at John Hendry Park, Lost Lagoon and Beaver Lake in Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, Jericho Beach Park, Vanier Park and Sutcliffe Park near the entrance to Granville Island.

As a new year begins, I look back on the most memorable Park Board moments in 2010.

I’m so proud of the partnership between Friends of Bloedel (FOB) and VanDusen. By identifying Bloedel as a facility that wasn't working in its former capacity, it now has a good support network and will no longer be ignored. It took a lot of hard work, but John Cooper and the FOBs have made this a reality.

At the Park Board, we finally found proper gear for Eleanor Hadley so that she can hear at our meetings.

The greatest highlights for me included cutting the red tape at the first ever BMX track, Kensington Skatepark. The signing of Leeside over to the Park Board from the city’s Engineering Department was another special moment.

I went to check out the Bloedel Conservatory this weekend for their ongoing event, Jewel Box of Lights. John Cooper, the Bloedel staff and the Friends of Bloedel have done an impressive job decorating the conservatory. They have created a Christmas wonderland in a tropical, cozy atmosphere. It's a great way to get out of the cold and rain, which is exactly what I did.

I can see Vancouverites adding this to their list of annual family traditions. It is amazing to see how far Bloedel has come this past year and the community and partnerships that have been created.

The Jewel Box of Lights Event runs until January 2nd, 2011

Sunday – Thursday: 10 am – 8 pm
Friday – Saturday: 10 am – 9 pm

$5.35 for Adults
$3.75 for Seniors & Youth
$2.70 for Kids 6-12
Preschoolers – Free

Be sure to enter from the 33rd and Ontario Street entrance to avoid the construction.

The Pacific Salmon Foundation, Fraser Basin Council and Living Rivers - Georgia Basin/Vancouver Island are inviting people from across British Columbia to express their views on a proposal to designate wild Pacific salmon as BC’s provincial fish. The organizations are encouraging public comment, which can be submitted at wwww.thinksalmon.com. They will receive and post comments until September 30 and will relay all submissions to the Province of BC.

“Pacific salmon are part of the social, cultural, economic and environmental heritage of British Columbians,” said Brian Riddell, President & CEO of the Pacific Salmon Foundation. “They have helped shape our history, and for First Nations, the relationship with salmon goes back thousands of years.”