Khenko Sculpture To Be Dedicated At George Wainborn Park

September 11, 2006 (No. 23) - The media are invited to attend a dedication ceremony of Khenko, a sculpture depicting a Great Blue Heron, at George Wainborn Park on Wednesday, September 13th at 5 pm. The ceremony will feature speeches by Park Board Chair Heather Holden, David Negrin from Concord Pacific Group Inc. and the sculptor Doug Taylor. Following a plaque unveiling there will be light refreshments. 

Dedication Ceremony
Khenko, the Great Blue Heron Sculpture
Wednesday, September 13th at 5 pm
George Wainborn Park
Richards Street at False Creek

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 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.

- 30 -

For further information contact: Terri Clark, Communications Coordinator, at 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.

• Top