Earth Day celebrations in Vancouver Parks

April 16, 2009 (No. 23) - Celebrate Earth Day with festivities taking place in three Vancouver Parks: Jericho Beach Park on Saturday, April 18 and at both Everett Crowley and Hastings Parks on Saturday, April 25.

Help plant over 4,000 native trees and shrubs at Jericho Beach Park. The 9th annual event is hosted by Evergreen and the Jericho Stewardship Group . This family-friendly event will feature an entertaining journey with a processional band, a day-long drum circle, hands-on activities, First Nations storytelling, food and more. Jericho Beach Park, Point Grey Road at Wallace Street, Saturday, April 18, 11am to 4pm.

Take an early morning walk through Hastings Park with a Dawn Chorus Walk led by Al Grass and hosted by the Hastings Park Conservancy . Learn about the birds, plants, trees, flowers and aquatic life in this urban wilderness. Bring binoculars and cameras if you have them, but please leave your dog at home. Participants should meet at the northeast corner of the sanctuary. East Hastings Street at Renfrew Street, Saturday, April 25, 6am, rain or shine.

Vancouver's longest running Earth Day celebration takes place April 25 at Everett Crowley Park. Hosted by the Everett Crowley Park Committee the day includes tree planting, educational exhibits, entertainment and kids' activities that include face painting, games and more. Call 604-325-0163 or Everett Crowley Park Committee for details. Everett Crowley Park, Marine Drive at Kerr Street , Saturday, April 25, 11am (gates open at 10:30am) to 4pm.

Earth Day is celebrated by over six million Canadians and one billion people in 170 countries and officially takes place April 22. It began in 1970 as an environmental awareness event and now provides an important catalyst for change for the many environmental challenges found locally, nationally and globally.

All events are free. Participants are encouraged to walk, bike or bus and leave cars at home.

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For more information, contact: Barb Floden, Communications Coordinator, at 604-257-8438.

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.