Heron Sculpture Takes Flight
at George Wainborn Park

July 27, 2006 (No. 54) - Khenko, a kinetic wind sculpture depicting a heron, is the latest sculpture to appear on the north shore of the False Creek waterfront. Designed and built by artist Doug Taylor, Khenko was installed July 19 on the bullnose of George Wainborn Park looking across to Granville Island. The sculpture was donated by Concord Pacific Group Inc. and is dedicated to British Columbia's former Lieutenant Governor, David Lam.

Suspended from a forty foot pole, Khenko, fabricated from steel, flies at the whim of the wind. Pods or sails attached to the cross bars on the pole catch the wind and, by revolving, set in motion the gears that raise and lower the wings. The pods are made of fabric and are designed to tilt and spill wind to prevent them from going too fast. "Khenko" is a Coast Salish word for heron.

Concord Pacific Group Inc. dedicated the sculpture to the former Lieutenant Governor as Lam was so inspired by a heronry near Government House in Victoria during his residency there and expressed keen support for this artwork.

In June 2005, the Park Board accepted the gift and, following public consultation, approved its installation in George Wainborn Park, located at the foot of Richards Street at False Creek.

For the past 100 years the industrial use of False Creek made the habitat unsuitable for much water-based wildlife and herons have only recently returned to the area. The artist, Doug Taylor, who also made the kinetic Wind Swimmer above Kits Pool, created the work to mark the return of the herons as a symbol of hope and restoration.

Khenko now flies at the entrance to the inner part of False Creek welcoming boaters and reminding those on land of the natural heritage of this place. A dedication and celebration of the Khenko sculpture will take place in September.

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Contact: Terri Clark, Communication Coordinator, 604-257-8438.
www.vancouverparks.ca

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 200 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.

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