The park board is accepting comments on a proposal to install a landscape feature in Thornton Park commemorating the contributions of Irish Canadians to Vancouver and Canada.
The proposed feature includes a combination of columns, with some three metres tall and others about 1.2 metres, decorated with traditional Irish art. Five of the columns will also include plaques acknowledging the contributions of Irish Canadians to Canada.
If approved, the columns will be installed along the walkway leading from the SkyTrain station to the Pacific National terminal building creating a circular garden bed, including ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers.
Comments can be made until July 1 to [email protected] or Ireland Canada Consultation, attention Arts, Culture and Environment Coordinator, 2099 Beach Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6G 1Z4.
Scrap it
Beginning Saturday, West End residents who want to divert their organic food scraps from the landfill will have two options.
The West End Food Scraps Drop Spot program is expanding to include the West End Community Centre on Denman Street from June 16 until Oct. 20, every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This drop spot complements the one in progress at the West End Farmers Market on Nelson Street each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The program is a joint initiative of the West End Neighbourhood Food Network, Village Vancouver and Recycling Alternative.
And for those who dont know their coffee grounds from their organic lettuce scraps, the Food Scraps and Composting ForumPolicy and Practise takes place June 16 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Bidwell Room of the West End Community Centre, 870 Denman St.
The purpose of the forum is to inspire and inform residents about food scraps composting.
Basketball Jones
The basketball program at Strathcona Community Centre is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a tournament this Saturday.
Organizers are hoping recent grads and alums who played or coached in the last four decades will join in the June 16 celebration, which starts at 10 a.m. with an opening ceremony and fundraising Hoop-A-Thon. A barbecue lunch will be served at noon followed by the Womens Alumni Game at 2 p.m., the mens at 3 p.m. and the closing ceremony at 4 p.m. The Hoop-A-Thon is a fundraising event for kids basketball at Strathcona. For more information, email [email protected].
Slidin Mary
The park boards floating slide, affectionately known as the Queen Mary by insiders, is in place at English Bay so now all we need is some sun.
But even in the rain, you can still enjoy the outdoor, heated pools at Kits Beach Park, Second Beach in Stanley Park and New Brighton Park. Meanwhile, warmer weather is forecast for this weekend and lifeguards will be on patrol at 11 swimming beaches from Victoria Day to Labour Day. Just a reminder: smoking, dogs and fires are prohibited at all parks and beaches. Barbecue coal pits are available in some areas. For more information, visit vancouver.ca/parks/rec/beaches.
Correction
Finally, I do know that Vision Vancouver commissioner Aaron Jasper remains vice-chair of the park board. Due to a miscommunication in editing, Trevor Loke was erroneously named vice-chair in Wednesdays print edition of this column.
Twitter: @sthomas10
