Tree Planting Recognizes Stanley Park Donors and Anniversary of Storm

It was cold, rainy and blustery on December 15, 2007, the one year anniversary of the 2006 Stanley Park storm, but it was a good day to plant a tree. Park Board Chair Korina Houghton was joined by Mayor Sam Sullivan, the Honourable Barry Penner, Provincial Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Gary Lunn, Federal Minister of Natural Resources, and local community leader Jim Pattison, at a special tree planting ceremony in Stanley Park to recognize their significant contributions to help in the park's restoration after the 2006 windstorm that devastated the park. The City of Vancouver, the Provincial Government and the Federal Government each contributed $2 million and Mr. Pattison contributed $1 million toward the $9.5 million Restoration Plan for the park.

Four trees were planted that represent the trees found in a mature West Coast Rain Forest - a Western red cedar, a Douglas fir, a grand fir and a sitka spruce - just off Park Drive and east of the Prospect Point picnic area.

Park Board Chair Houghton said, "We have made significant progress in restoring Vancouver's beloved park and it is fitting that we recognize the support and generosity of our major donors through the planting of these four trees as symbols of their contribution to the park's renewal."

"On behalf of City Council, I want to thank our government partners, the businesses and residents of Vancouver - and across Canada - that contributed to help restore this national treasure," said Mayor Sullivan. "I also want to pay special tribute to the staff at Global Television for the unique role they played in helping to pull our community together by organizing such a successful fundraising event."

On behalf of the Provincial Government Minister Penner added, "As minister responsible for our incredible provincial parks system, I know how important parks are to British Columbians. That's why the Government of British Columbia contributed $2 million from the province's LocalMotion Fund to assist in the restoration effort."

Minister Lunn said, "Our Government understands the special place Stanley Park holds in the hearts and minds of British Columbians. That's why, as one of his first acts as Minister of Environment, Minister Baird came here to deliver $2 million to help with the restoration of this park. As we stand here today I am very pleased to see first-hand how much restoration progress has been made in Stanley Park since last year's devastating windstorm."

Mr. Pattison's remarks echoed those of many park restoration donors: "Stanley Park is a special place for me and a lot of other folks - family picnics, fish & chips, swimming, church picnics - it's like part of the family!"

Tree planting ceremony marking one year anniversary of Stanley Park windstorm. Pictured left to right: Park Board Chair Korina Houghton, Park Board General Manager Susan Mundick, Community Leader Jim Pattison, Federal Minister of Natural Resources Gary Lunn, Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan, Provincial Minister of the Environment Barry Penner, and City Councillor Peter Ladner.

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