Park Board Lights up the Season

November 26, 2009 (No. 64) - The seasonal light displays in Vancouver parks will kick off with the special illumination of the Elm Grove on Beach Avenue at Bidwell Street to mark World AIDS Day on December 1. The Bidwell trees, decorated with over 12,000 energy efficient S.L.E.D. (seasonal low emitting diodes), will be turned on at midnight on November 30 and will remain lit until midnight December 1.

All holiday light displays will be lit from 5:30 to 8:30 am and from 3:30 pm to midnight daily beginning December 1 through and including January 7. Look for these other seasonal light displays:

Lost Lagoon Fountain in Stanley Park

A long time local favourite is the Christmas display at the Lost Lagoon Fountain which includes 8,000 multi-coloured S.L.E.D. The fountain was erected to mark the City of Vancouver's Golden Jubilee in 1936.

Giant Sequoia at George Wainborn Park - located at Richards Street and False Creek

The beautiful Sequoia tree planted near the entrance to this downtown park has been decorated with 8,000 white lights. Concrete pillars that have been decorated with another thousand lights to add to the festive display. Representing giant candles, they help illuminate the park named for the late George Wainborn. Wainborn, a Freedom of the City recipient and Vancouver's longest serving Park Commissioner was responsible for such seasonal events as the Carol Ships, the Christmas Train in Stanley Park and the annual lighting of the Elm Grove at Bidwell Street and Beach Avenue.

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For more information contact: Carol DeFina, 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.