Blog Archives - Vancouver Playgrounds

Pirate Ship Parks in Vancouver

vancouverplaygrounds — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 21:06:28 +0000

PIRATE SHIP PARKS IN VANCOUVER

Ahoy! Pirate ships have marooned at a handful of playgrounds in Vancouver. One has even been spotted as far away as Tofino! These pirate ships sure like to travel around our beautiful province. Have you visited one of these pirate parks yet, me maties?

1. CHARLESON PARK PLAYGROUND

When asked where “Pirate Park” is located, most replied with Charleson Park playground. This popular pirate ship overlooks False Creek.

Location: 999 Charleson St (at Laurel St) in the Fairview neighbourhood.

2. JONES PARK PLAYGROUND

A pirate snail had planned to journey across the Pacific but without any limbs, it could only go so far. This pirate ship is happily marooned at Jones Park playground under a canopy of shady trees.

We like to nickname it, “Pirate Snail Park”.

Location: 5350 Commercial St (at E38th Ave) in the Kensington-Cedar Cottage neighbourhood.

3. JOHN LAWSON PARK PLAYGROUND (In West Vancouver)

Photo Credit: Richard Findlay Landscape Architect Inc.

John Lawson Park is one of the original pirate parks in the Lower Mainland, boasting a large pirate ship that overlooks the sea.

Location: Very south end of 17th St in West Vancouver.

4. ROCKY POINT PARK PLAYGROUND (In Port Moody)

Photo Credit: Kethu from Ktalks.ca on Instagram

Boy, this pirate ship sure likes to travel, doesn’t it? Another pirate ship awaits at Rocky Point Park, this one overlooking the Burrard Inlet.

Location: 2800 Murray St in Port Moody.

OTHER PLAYGROUNDS WITH PIRATE SHIPS IN BC

VILLAGE GREEN CITY COMMUNITY PARK PLAYGROUND in Tofino on Vancouver Island. Location: Click here.
MOODYVILLE PARK in North Vancouver. Location: 759 E 3rd St (at Moody Ave).
PRINCETON PARK in Coquitlam. Location: 1398 Maguerite St (at Princeton Ave).
PENZER PARK in Langley. Location: 198c Street (at 48th Ave).

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Reconciliation Pole at UBC

vancouverplaygrounds — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 19:45:20 +0000

RECONCILIATION POLE AT UBC

Trigger Warning/Content Warning: Residential Schools

While visiting Jim Taylor Park at the University of British Columbia, I decided to visit the large totem pole located across the street. We’ve passed by it a handful of times before, but I’ve never taken the time to understand what this Haida pole signified. It turned out it was called the Reconciliation Pole.

At that time, it was only a little over a week after the discovery of the 215 children, buried at a former residential school site in Kamloops, BC.

As I stood and looked up at the Reconciliation Pole, I was stunned. There, on the underside of two suspended, wooden residential schoolhouses were two big skeletons in bold, black oxidized copper nails.

While taken aback, a man approached me and said he helped when UBC erected this pole, back in 2017.

“The skeletons…” I said, pointing upwards.

The man chuckled and humbly said, “Yeah, the carver told us there were buried children under those schools… We all thought he was a little crazy, y’know? And then we all heard the news last week… and well, he was right.”

The signage for the Reconciliation Pole reads, “68,000+ copper nails covering areas of the pole are in remembrance of the many school children who died at Canada’s Indian Residential Schools – each nail commemorates one child.” Each one of those nails were hammered into the pole by residential school survivors, their families, school children and members of the public.

While my kids are still too young to grasp the grief and shock of the tragedy that continues to unfold, my oldest is very interested in First Nations art and totem poles. We took the time to read the story carved on the pole. We are learning together.

This Canada Day is different. I am holding space for the grief we feel and am listening to Indigenous voices that have gone unheard. I am committing to learn about Indigenous history. I also know that dark chapters from my country’s past do not change my love for my home. But the awareness will make me work harder at making our country better. After all, as a Japanese Canadian, we too continue to hold the country accountable for the dark chapters of the Internment.

I will make mistakes but I want to be a better ally. I don’t think you’re crazy. I’m listening now.

EDIT: The carver which the man was referring to is 7idansuu (Edenshaw), James Hart, Haida Hereditary Chief and Master Carver. I have no doubt that the master carver knew the copper nails, against the light wooden surface, would oxidize to be a bold, black colour over time. Photos that the media took when the pole was raised barely show the light copper skeletons. But darker and louder they’ve become, waiting for someone to take notice and listen. I appreciate that foresight and brilliance, although the symbolism is utterly heartbreaking. Please read James Hart’s words about the Reconciliation Pole HERE.

Vancouver is Awesome has kindly published a rewritten version of this post on their website. Please share, as I hope this experience resonates with many others 🧡.

The Reconciliation Pole can be found on the south side of UBC campus, across from the Forestry Science Building.
Location: 2373-2425 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

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Vancouver Playgrounds with Trampolines

vancouverplaygrounds — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 06:03:58 +0000

WHICH PLAYGROUNDS IN VANCOUVER HAVE TRAMPOLINES?

In-ground trampolines at playgrounds have become more popular in recent years. Hidden springs under a (usually circular) frame hold a rubber lattice in place to create a bouncy surface for all ages to enjoy. Below is a list of trampoline parks in Vancouver that both you and your kids can enjoy.

1. DOUGLAS PARK PLAYGROUND

Douglas Park playground has one trampoline near the toddler house. Fun and nicely shaded by big trees.

Location: 801 W 22 Ave (at Heather St) in the Cambie South neighbourhood.

2. CHARLESON PARK PLAYGROUND

Two trampolines can be found at the Charleson Park playground, with small rubber mounds nearby to use as jumping points. Read more about Charleson Park Playground here.

Location: 999 Charleson St (at Laurel St) in the Fairview neighbourhood.

3. BREWERS PARK PLAYGROUND

Brewers Park playground also features two in-ground trampolines. Although probably unintended, there’s a concrete ledge nearby that children like to leap off of for extra big jumps. More about Brewers Park Playground here.

Location: 4175 Victoria Dr (at E 26th Ave) in the Kensington-Cedar Cottage neighbourhood.

4. RAY CAM CO-OPERATIVE CENTRE PLAYGROUND

One trampoline awaits in front of Ray Cam Co-op’s cute sequoia treehouse.

Location: 920 E Hastings (at Campbell Ave) in Strathcona.

5. BEACONSFIELD PARK PLAYGROUND

Two trampolines have been installed as part of Beaconsfield Park’s playground upgrade, recently completed in July 2021.

Location: 3215 Slocan St (at E 15th Ave) in Renfrew-Collingwood.

6. WINONA PARK PLAYGROUND

Families have welcomed another trampoline at Winona Park’s playground renewal in July 2021.

Location: 7575 Columbia St (at W 59th Ave) in Marpole.

OTHER PLAYGROUNDS WITH TRAMPOLINES IN THE LOWER MAINLAND

GARDEN CITY COMMUNITY PARK PLAYGROUND in Richmond. Our first experience with an in-ground trampoline was actually at this Garden City park many years ago. There are two trampolines here to enjoy.
Location: 6620 Garden City Rd (at Alberta Rd) in Richmond.
LONDON LANDING WATERFRONT PARK in Richmond. Two trampolines here along with fun bouncy buoys to sit on. The “Dream of a River” art sculpture also resides here. Location: 4R8R+PJ (at the south end of No 2. Rd).
MOODYVILLE PARK in North Vancouver. Location: 759 E 3rd St (at Moody Ave).
PRINCETON PARK in Coquitlam. Location: 1398 Maguerite St (at Princeton Ave).
PENZER PARK in Langley. Location: 198c Street (at 48th Ave).

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