Two Vancouver Parks Named

October 28, 2008 (No. 61) - Oak Meadows Park and Ebisu Park now join the list of parks in Vancouver, following the approval of the new names by the Vancouver Park Board Monday evening.

The names for the two previously unnamed park sites were recommended by the Park Board's citizen-based Park Naming Committee and followed a new process that included over 140 name submissions from the public and research by the committee.

• Oak Meadows Park is located in South Cambie across Oak Street from VanDusen Botanical Garden. The 4.75 hectare park was named for its location on Oak Street and the meadows that are part of the park's landscape. The park includes an off-leash dog area, a soccer field that also accommodates two Ultimate fields, a children's play area and views of the North Shore mountains.
  
  
• Ebisu Park is located in Marpole at 72nd Avenue at Osler Street. The 0.4 hectare park is named for Ebisu, the Japanese God of fishermen, of the working man, protector of young children and good luck. The name reflects and celebrates the heritage of the community and acknowledges the history of this area of Marpole that was once home to a thriving Japanese fishing community in the early part of the 1900s. The park includes two playgrounds, a climbing rock, landscaped lawns with pathways and a dry stream bed of rocks that empties into an ornamental garden with benches.

Official opening ceremonies for both parks will take place in Spring, 2009.

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For more information contact: Barb Floden, Communications Coordinator, at 604-257-8440
www.vancouverparks.ca

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 220 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.