Holding On To Summer

August 28, 2006 - Who among us does not long for just one more week of summer? Another stroll along the beach to gather shells; a final swim in English Bay's waters as high tide envelops hot sand; a sunset cycle along a seemingly endless seawall.

Well, there may only be one week of real summer left, before the rule of autumn pulls children back to schools and others back to the work-a-day routine, so let's make the best of it.

Below is the Park Board's unofficial "Top Ten Tip List" to pass the last week, of what has been, one of the best summers on record.

1. Get up early on a weekday morning and take an hour walk. If you're near a beach or golf course, all the better, for the scenery will be fine and a cup of java at the ready. Otherwise put toe to tarmac and hit Vancouver's miles of sidewalks - safe and easy to access with the pleasure of passing private gardens along the way.
2. Visit one of the Park Board's ocean-side heated swimming pools. You've been meaning to do it, but your options are running out. You will emerge from the water rekindled as you gaze out on the ocean. And then you'll remember why everybody who visits Vancouver wants to come back. Kits Pool and Second Beach Pool have never looked better.
3. Pack up the silverware and a picnic basket and go to the beach for dinner. If you forget dessert, visit one of our many concessions and buy an ice cream or an after dinner coffee. Perhaps you haven't been to the beach for a sunset like this since the kids were young. Sit back in your folding chair, look around you and we promise you'll feel like staying all night.
4. Pick a clear morning and be the first to tee off on one of the Vancouver Park Board's beautiful 18 hole golf courses. Greatly reduced prices in effect if you play the back 9 holes within the first 75 minutes of tee times starting at 6:15 am the last week in August. Other specials also available, especially for seniors. After playing your early 9, stop in at the clubhouse and enjoy a hearty breakfast, complemented by beautiful views of the course.
5. Cycle or rollerblade the waterfront one morning, stopping along the way for edible treats. Start at Harbour Green Park on Coal Harbour and wend your way west around Stanley Park, along English Bay then looping the shores of False Creek back to English Bay again. While you're traveling, take note of all the newly developed waterfront parks that give downtown residents plenty of space to stretch.
6. Tennis anyone? The Vancouver park system is peppered with free tennis courts and all you have to do is wait your turn to play - 30 minutes or set - whichever comes first.
7. Smell the roses and whatever else is in seasonable bloom at Vancouver's very own VanDusen Botanical Garden. There's always something spectacular on view and this makes a perfect evening stroll, especially if you have guests from out of town.
8. And if you do have guests, remember to take them to Queen Elizabeth Park where at 501 feet above sea level, they'll get the best views of the city. While you're at it, visit the fantastic array of free flying birds at Bloedel Floral Conservatory positioned at the top of what locals call "Little Mountain".
9. Jump on the Free Stanley Park Shuttle and re-visit Vancouver's first park with the enthusiasm of a tourist. The Shuttle bus runs daily from 10 am to 6:30 pm and stops at 15 popular park locations along the way. Service is available through September 24.
10. And finally, while the weather cooperates, make a reservation at one of our lovely restaurants with park addresses. Pleasures of the palette mixed with lush park backdrops make for an intoxicating combination with a percentage of the proceeds going to Park Board programs.

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