Holding On To Summer!

August 30, 2007 (No. 51) - Who doesn't want to hold on to just one more weekend of summer? Labour Day weekend is, for many, the final opportunity to celebrate summer before back to school and back to work routines.

So make the best of it in one of Vancouver's 220 parks. There's lots to do anytime** of day, rain or shine:

1. Come on in, the water's fine. Stake out your spot on our 18 km (11 miles) of beaches for that last summer swim. Water temperatures are at their warmest of the season and lifeguards are on duty through the weekend. For a cool or hot treat after, visit one of the beach concessions.
2. Discover the mighty Fraser. Take in the breathtaking views of this working river along boardwalks and waterfront trails at Riverfront Park and Gladstone Park on the east side, or Fraser River Park and Deering Island Park in the west.
3. Cycle, walk or 'blade the wall. For great exercise with plenty of space to stretch, enjoy the near continuous seawall. Start at Harbour Green Park on Coal Harbour, make your way west along English Bay then loop the shores of False Creek and back again.
4. Tennis anyone? The Vancouver park system has 180 free tennis courts and all you have to do is wait your turn to play - 30 minutes or set - whichever comes first.
5. Impress your guests. Some of the best views of the city are from the top of Queen Elizabeth Park, which at 501 feet above sea level has earned this central location the title of "Little Mountain". Also striking are the late summer colours of the Quarry Gardens, and the sculptures and fountains in the new Plaza.
6. Jump on the Shuttle. Re-visit Vancouver's first park with the enthusiasm of a tourist on the free Stanley Park Shuttle Bus, running daily from 10 am to 6:30 pm with 15 stops at popular park locations along the way. Make sure you take the time to see the renovated Ceperley Playground – the venerable red fire engine remains to delight a whole new generation.
7. Live the lush life. The extensive trails and woodlands of Everett Crowley Park's reclaimed green sanctuary are the perfect escape for you and your dog (on-leash of course). Views, birds, a creek and pond add to the delights.
8. Disc-o time. Bring your frisbee to Quilchena Park for a game of disc golf, a fitness sport for all ages. Free and lots of fun especially for a group. Self guided disc golf is also available at Queen Elizabeth Park.
9. Perfect your moves. Ride the rails at the street-style covered Downtown Skate Plaza or meet friends at any of the bowls, ramps, ledges or walls of the seven skate board parks around the city.
10. Grazing on the Green. After an old fashioned horse-drawn tour through Stanley Park, make reservations at one of the restaurants with a park address: Pavilion, Sequoia Grill, Prospect Point Café and the Fish House. Or call up Watermark at Kits Beach, Shaughnessey at VanDusen Garden, Seasons in the Park at Queen Elizabeth Park or Mill Marine Bistro in Harbour Green – great food and scenery mix and a percentage of the proceeds go to support Park Board programs.

** note Stanley Park will be completely closed to vehicular traffic for the Vancouver Triathalon 6:30 am to 10:00 am on Monday, September 3rd.

For more information and ideas for Labour Day weekend activities in parks, go to vancouverparks.ca.

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For more information contact Joyce Courtney, Manager of Communications, at 604-257-8699.
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.