STANLEY PARK NOTEBOOK
/by Jacqui Birchall
(click images to enlarge)
A STROLL AROUND THE LAGOON
The Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES) offers many workshops. On the early evening of August 16, I attended a very interesting and enlightening workshop about Lost Lagoon under the guidance of the pleasant and knowledgeable Anna Bondartchouk, Public Environmental Education Coordinator with SPES.
Before the Stanley Park Causeway was constructed in 1916 there was a wooden bridge in its place which allowed Lost Lagoon to be tidal, with Lost Lagoon completely disappearing at low tide. Once the causeway was constructed, Lost Lagoon became landlocked and its water brackish, a mixture of salt and fresh water. City fathers decried the smell of the low tide lagoon.
The quality of the water has deteriorated over the decades, with some experts claiming the deterioration is attributed to heavy metal pollution from traffic on the causeway. Others say the bad water quality is due to the ecosystem’s unnaturally landlocked nature.
There used to be a source of freshwater that the Park Board would pump into the lagoon. It was turned off, and now the water comes only from rain and land runoff.
The overflow pipe at the north end of Lost Lagoon. (Jacqui Birchall Photos)
At the north end of the lagoon there is an overflow pipe which is designed to be a one way system, emptying excess water into Coal Harbour. But sometimes it malfunctions and salt water enters the lagoon.
On the northwest corner of the lagoon there is a constructed wetland to help filter the water. It’s a berm with a wall built to compensate for an input pipe.
Kerr Wood Leidal, the engineering consultant company that installed the system, have a detailed explanation of how it works on their website. For links to that and other documents and websites mentioned see “Related Links” at the end of this column.
The plant life of the constructed wetland is important too. The beautiful cattails that dominate this area are great for filtering. There is also a beaver lodge in this constructed wetland, and another one near the concrete bridge at the south end of the lagoon. I was sad to hear that two of the Lost Lagoon beavers died recently. A necropsy could not be held as the bodies were taken anonymously before authorities could remove them.
Ceperley Creek at the south end of Lost Lagoon is a very important slough, helping maintain the wildlife rich, Ceperley Meadow. The beaver dams help to keep water in this area.
Bodartchouk points out there is a shifting baseline syndrome associated with Lost Lagoon. The syndrome is a shift in our perception of what normal is; a shift in what we think a healthy ecosystem should look like. The term was originally coined in 1995 by fisheries scientist David Pauly.
The constructed wetland at the northeast corner of the lagoon.
Over the years, Lost Lagoon has hosted boat rentals, the introduction of swans, the filling of the lagoon with trout for fishers, a proposal to create an island in the lagoon to host Theatre Under The Stars, a suggestion to fill in the Lagoon and replace it with a sports field, a museum or a stadium, and of course the Jubilee Fountain — created during fiscally gloomy times to celebrate Vancouver’s 100th birthday — sitting in disrepair for years.
Although the fountain was resurrected for Expo 86, Park Board staff have stated that the restoration of the Jubilee Fountain is under review as part of a broader study on the ecological and environmental health of Lost Lagoon. The fountain would require a dedicated aeration system. Simply fixing and running the fountain would not provide the lagoon with much-needed aeration.
NATURAL FILTRATION PROCESS OF THE BERM IN LOST LAGOON. (Pooh Beir Photo)
Another part of the shifting baseline syndrome was the planting of non-native plants around Lost Lagoon. These include English Ivy, Himalayan blackberry, Cutleaf blackberry, Common Burdock, and Purple Loosestrife. SPES’ Dedicated Invasive Removal Team (DIRT) works hard to remove the invasive plants in Stanley Park. The team is made up of volunteers who always look cheerful and energetic. Do you have time to join? Check the link below.
The beautiful weeping willows around the lagoon are Golden Weeping Willows and originate in China. Their lifespan is around 100 years and it is obvious that several have reached that ripe old age. As large weeping willow branches fall into the lagoon, the decision has been made to leave them there, where they provide habitat for ducks and river otters.
Bodnartchouk pointed out the native plants that still exist around the lagoon including silver weed, a legacy of the previous ecosystem, native roses, salal and trailing blackberries. Both salal and silver weed have been used for their medical properties.
COME BIRD WITH ME
Bodnartchouk also shared more information on SPES’ upcoming public programme called “Birding with Me.”
My birding started in 2020 as a collaboration between SPES and Environmental and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) staff, with support from BC Bird Trail, Birds Canada and Vancouver Bird Celebration.
This year SPES was lucky enough to have the entire Birding with Me program funded by ECCC with new connections made with Canucks Autism and MOSAIC BC to facilitate specific programs.
Bodnartchouk points out that the inspiration for the program came from the Audubon “Let’s Go Birding” series which addresses the under-representation of certain communities in birding and outdoor activities.
Workshops that Bodnartchouk organized herself that are not on the web page under Birding with Me include: Welcoming Immigrants and Newcomers to Canada; Welcoming Adults on the Autism Spectrum; Welcoming Youth on the Autism Spectrum; and Welcoming the Ukrainian Community.
The other Birding with Me workshops in September include ones for Mandarin and Spanish speakers, (para la comunidad hispanohablante), the Filipino community, the BIPOC community, and queer youth.
LAUGHTER IN THE PARK
SPES is the official 50/50 Raffle Ticket partner of the Great Outdoor Comedy Festival in Stanley Park on September 15 and 16. The Comedy Festival stars Russell Peters and Kevin Hart.
You don’t have to wait for the festival. You can buy your raffle tickets online now and help support SPES in all its wonderful endeavours. Links to information and tickets can be found below.
Glyphosate is used on the invasive plant knotweed.
GLYPHOSATE OR NOT?
It has been suggested that the pesticide Glyphosate is being used in Stanley Park, particularly on the blackberry bushes. There is no evidence that the blackberry bushes are being sprayed at this time and City Hall staff have not, as yet, responded to inquiries about its use in the park.
There is, however, a notice of its use in English Bay Beach Park. Glyphosate, under the name Roundup, is the source of class action suits in the US, where it is claimed farmers and agricultural workers exposed to Roundup developed cancer. It is also reported that Glyphosate is the most widely sold pesticide in Canada.
Another mini-garbage dump in the park.
FURTHER NOTES
It’s Not A Garbage Dump! It is sad to find huge piles of debris in the more hidden shore areas of the Lagoon, These piles of debris point to camps. I took photos and sent, with a Google Maps pin to 311.
No Fires Please! I am saddened to find that folk are still ripping the Extreme Fire Danger signs out of the ground in Stanley Park.
Park People / Ami-es Des Parcs is a Canada wide organization that supports and mobilizes community park groups, community organizers, non-profits, park professionals and founders who activate the power of parks. The Vancouver Park People Network are holding a fall meetup on-line Zoom meeting on November 8, from 6 pm-7.30. They have also just re-released the very interesting SPES Stewardship and Park Use Report on Stanley Park.
PARK WATER SUPPLY TUNNEL DELAYED
A Late-Breaking Report by Contributor Nate Lewis
Construction work in, around, and underneath Stanley Park has been delayed. Construction on the Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel has been pushed back until late 2024, according to Metro Vancouver (MV).
This is the second time the construction timeline has been significantly altered. Work was originally supposed to begin in late 2022 but was delayed – back in the fall of 2022 – until late 2023 or early 2024. This spring, the project was delayed, once again, until late 2024.
“Given the complexity of this large project, finalizing the design and approvals in preparation for hiring a construction contractor took longer than expected,” Metro Vancouver said in an emailed statement.
This included getting regulatory approvals from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Parks Canada, and the Vancouver Park Board. With all these approvals now in hand, MV has opened up the process for contractors to bid on the construction contract. Bid applications will close September 21, 2023.
“It is essential that we begin construction as soon as possible… Some early work, such as utility relocations adjacent to the site, may be done in advance of this date under separate contracts,” said Metro Vancouver.
The regional federation, which provides water services to member jurisdictions, is replacing the existing 1930s-era First Narrows Crossing Water Main with added capacity and seismic resilience. The new Water Supply Tunnel will service the cities of Vancouver and Richmond. You can find in-depth coverage about the project here.
Despite the delays, the expected five-year construction window remains the same, meaning the project is now scheduled for completion in late 2029.
RELATED LINKS
Information on the Lost Lagoon filtration system here.
Join the Stanley Park Dedicated Invasive Removal Team here.
Find SPES workshops here.
Birding With Me information here.
Comedy Festival in Stanley Park raffle tickets here.
Comedy Festival in Stanley Park information here.
Vancouver Park People information here.
SPES Cornerstone Report here.
