Queen Elizabeth Park Plaza To Officially Open April 12

April 2, 2007 (No. 21) - The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation will officially open the recently completed Queen Elizabeth Park Plaza on Thursday, April 12th starting at 9:30 am. The public is invited to take part in the festivities and rediscover the pinnacle of Queen Elizabeth Park, the city's horticultural jewel, which has been under reconstruction for over three years.

Tai Chi demonstrations and a host of art exhibits and music will kick off the morning at 9:30 am to be followed by a brief opening ceremony at 10 am. The beautiful new Celebration Pavilion, now available for weddings, civil unions and other special event bookings, will be open to the public and a free guided Tree Tour will be led by staff in the park's majestic Arboretum. As well, the beautiful Bloedel Floral Conservatory, housing magnificent tropical plant displays and over 100 free flying birds, will be open free of charge following the opening ceremony and for the whole day. Great gift plants will be available for sale.

The redevelopment of the plaza and parking area at the top of Queen Elizabeth Park was part of the seismic upgrading that was necessary for the GVRD's covered reservoirs located there. The cost for the new plaza reconstruction was $6 million and encompasses a 1.2 hectare area including 7 covered Tai Chi arbours, the 93 m² (1,000 ft²) Celebration Pavilion and a fabulous dancing fountain - re-circulating 85,000 litres of water through 70 jets. Henry Moore's imposing sculpture Knife Edge - Two Piece, a gift to the Park Board from Prentice Bloedel in 1969, has been elevated to a more prominent position adjacent to the fountains.

QE Plaza design - Perry and Associates
Celebration Pavilion and Tai Chi Arbour design - Henriquez Partners Architects
Fountain design - Vincent Helton and Associates

Light refreshments will be served during the morning festivities.

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For information 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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