Giving Back

Investing in the Future of Parks and Recreation

September 18, 2006 - Charles Franklin Moore thought about the things that gave him the most pleasure in life while planning his estate. A long time resident of Vancouver's West End, his back garden was everybody's favourite place, Stanley Park, and his decision to invest in one of the great parks of the world has made all the difference.

An avid tennis player for much of his life, he had seen the gradual deterioration of a bank of three tennis courts tucked into a hillside overlooking the glassy surface of Lost Lagoon. One of the wonderful things about Vancouver Park Board tennis courts is that they are free to the user on a first-come, first-served basis. This egalitarian quality appealed to Mr. Moore along with the fact that coming across the courts was a bit like finding buried treasure with this sylvan location's sheltering trees, where city edge joins park peninsula.

Mr. Moore's generous gift came in two distinct parts. The first had a physical manifestation when these three tennis courts, some of the oldest in Stanley Park, were completely rejuvenated with new surfacing and fencing, colour-coded finish, new nets, waiting benches and entry ways. Completed in July, a simple but elegant granite marker bears witness to Mr. Moore's generosity and is a lasting reminder that here was a gift for future tennis players.

Secondly, an endowment was established through his estate that will support tennis programming through community recreation centres for inner-city children. Learning the skills and sportsmanship long associated with tennis will ensure a continuum of players who will enjoy unfettered access to these popular park facilities.

Working closely with donor families keeps the Park Board focused on what was important during a benefactor's lifetime. On September 25, the Park Board unveiled a special dedication plaque honouring Mr. Moore. Catherine Moore,who is Mr. Moore's neice made this comment during the ceremony, "Frank would have been so pleased to see the work that has been done to make these tennis courts so appealing for those who love the sport as he did, and he would also be happy knowing that the recreation endowment which was established as part of his estate gift will enable others to learn this fine sport."

You can help sustain Vancouver's legacy as one of the most liveable cities in the world. To learn more about leaving a legacy for your favourite park or recreation facility, please contact Josie Riebe, Manager of Fundraising & Development at 604-718-5888 or email to josie.riebe@vancouver.ca

Your support will ensure our parks are here for generations to follow!

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