Family fun for the Easter long weekend

March 30, 2010 – Spring has sprung and the Easter long weekend is upon us!. Here are some activities to take in:

Children's Farmyard and Miniature Train at Stanley Park

Always a delight for the young and the young-at-heart. Take a ride on the miniature train then check out all the animals in the farmyard! Easter egg hunts daily all weekend long.

Open Friday through Monday over Easter, 11am-4pm, rain or shine. Call 604-257-8531 for information.

Community Centre Egg Hunts

Check with your local community centre for registration information. Some programs may fill up so register quickly!

• Thursday April 1, 3:30pm, West Point Grey Community Centre, Pre-teen Egg Hunt for ages 11-13. $3/person.
  
• Friday, April 2, 12 - 12:45pm, Killarney Community Centre, Easter Egg Hunt. For ages 7-12 the hunt will take place outdoors (weather permitting) and activities take place in the gym. $3/member, $4 non-member. Contact Killarney to register. Other age groups are sold out.
• Saturday, April 3, 1 p 3pm, Kerrisdale Community Centre, Easter Eggstravaganza, ages 2 - 10yrs, $5/child, play games, make crafts, visit with the Easter bunny and have some treats.
• Saturday, April 3, 11am – 1:15pm, Hastings Community Centre. Easter Egg Hunt, ages 5 and under.
• Saturday, April 3, 11am, Ray-Cam Community Centre, Big Bunny Brunch with Easter activities to follow (for families living in the downtown eastside only)
• Saturday, April 3, 11am – 12:30pm, Champlain Heights Community Centre. Easter Eggstravaganza, includes games, crafts, entertainment and a visit from the Easter Bunny, ages 8 and under, $5/child (advance purchase only, call 604-718-6575)
• Saturday, April 3, 9:30am – 10:45am and 11:15am – 12:30pm (ages 1-3); 12:45pm – 1:45pm (ages 4-8), Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre. Easter Egg Hunt, arts & crafts activities and a visit from the Easter Bunny! Pre-register $3/child, children under 6mos free. Call 604-713-1800 to register.
• Saturday, April 3, 1 – 4pm, Strathcona Community Centre, Easter Care & Share Family Carnival, food, games, performances, arts, crafts, contest with prizes, sponsored by Strathcona Youth Council. Free with donation of non perishable food item for the Food Bank and Salvation Army or used books.
• Saturday, April 3, 12:30 - 3pm, Renfrew Park Community Centre, Easter Eggstravaganza. Rain or shine. Crafts, games, face painting and, of course, an egg hunt. Ages 2-10, under 6 must be with an adult. $4/child, pre-register. Hot dogs and drinks available (additional fee). Different egg hunting times for different age groups.
• Saturday, April 3, 9:30am-11:30am, Kensington Community Centre, Breakfast with Bunny. Join us for a pancake breakfast, entertainment and crafts activities and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Pre-registration, $4/members, $5 non-members.
• Sunday, April 4 & Monday April 5, 11am – 3pm, Kerrisdale Community Centre, Special Holiday Mini Play Palace, $3/child (members); $5/child (non-members). Play on our bouncy equipment, lots of games and toys!

The Stanley Park Herons

The great blue herons returned to their colony in Stanley Park in February and the nests are now a hive of heron activity. This is a great time to watch the herons high in their nests as the leaves are not out yet making viewing easy.

The Stanley Park Ecology Society keeps tabs on the colony and has an Adopt-a-Nest program. The colony is located on Park Drive near the Park Board administration office and the tennis courts. To find out more visit www.stanleyparkecology.ca

Holiday hours: The Park Board administration office at 2099 Beach Avenue will be closed Good Friday and Easter Monday. Other Park Board offices will be closed over the long weekend and some community centres, pools, rinks and fitness centres may be on limited or adjusted hours. Call ahead for details.

Great A-Mazing Egg Hunt at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Sorry, this popular event is sold out this year.