Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation launches coyote education campaign

 January 22 2021 

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation is launching a public education campaign to educate the public about co-existing with coyotes as coyotes continue to chase and nip at joggers and cyclists around Brockton Oval and Hollow Tree near Prospect Point in Stanley Park. 

Two more people were chased by coyotes last night. One of them was bitten and sought medical aid as a precaution. About 13 people have now been chased by coyotes. 

The Stanley Park Ecology Society and BC Conservation Officer Service began receiving reports of coyotes chasing people about three weeks ago. Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation Rangers shut down trails this week for a second time after more reports of coyotes approaching or nipping people. Unfortunately, people are removing the barriers or walking around them and continuing on the trails. 

Co-existing with coyotes

The campaign begins today. A ranger will be at a booth near Lumberman’s Arch with educational material such as a Co-existing with Coyotes pamphlet from the Stanley Park Ecology Society. Rangers will in in Stanley Park over the next two weeks to continue educating the public. 

Information signs regarding co-existing with wildlife have been installed throughout Stanley Park and hazard signs have been installed where trails have been closed near Brockton Oval and the Hollow Tree.

The BC Conservation Service Officers are back in Stanley Park working to capture the coyote involved in the latest incidents. 

About a dozen coyotes live in Stanley Park. They are naturally scared of people, but can become bold and aggressive if fed. If confronted by a coyote, people are asked to stay calm and not run as coyotes instinctively chase anything that runs away. Stand tall, keep arms overhead and yell ‘go away.’ Scaring coyotes helps modify their behaviour and restore a healthy boundary between them and people. 

People are advised not to feed coyotes or any other wildlife. Wildlife feeding is a significant issue in our parks, which has impacts to wildlife health and behaviour. It breaks down our healthy boundary with wildlife and can lead to aggressive animal behaviour towards people. And, please, respect barriers rangers have installed in the park.

Reporting

Report any coyote sightings to 3-1-1. In cases of aggressive coyote behaviour, call the BC Conservation Officer Service Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-7277 and 3-1-1.

Help us track coyotes in Stanley Park and the Lower Mainland by reporting to them to Co-Existing with Coyotes.

Time to play as new playgrounds open in six parks across Vancouver

 January 19 2021 

Pirate ships, tree houses, trampolines, hill slides, play kitchens, and spider web nets are keeping children entertained at six new playgrounds that recently opened across the city.

The Ray-Cam Co-operative Centre playground opens January 21 and features a custom treehouse around a sequoia tree and a netted tunnel that wraps around half the tree trunk, as well as an eagle carved by a local resident to keep children safe.

"Eagles for my people are considered protectors," said Don Wadhams, who spent a month carving it from yellow cedar. A Kwakwaka'wakw ceremony to unveil the eagle and wake it up will be held January 28.

Cedar Cottage, Charleson, Jones, Kaslo, and Pandora parks have also received new playgrounds. The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation renewed the six playgrounds after consulting with children, parents, and community stakeholders. The playgrounds range in size and type, and each has a variety of equipment that is bound to stretch and strengthen the motor skills of the children who enjoy them.

"Updating our playgrounds is an ongoing priority for the Park Board. Playgrounds are obviously really fun places where kids can spend time," said Camil Dumont, Park Board Chair.

"They also serve as a space where children develop social, cognitive, and emotional skills. The playgrounds at Ray-Cam and Charleson Park will help serve the students at the nearby preschool and elementary schools as well, which is really great."

Upcoming playground upgrades

There are currently 160 playgrounds in the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation's system, many of which are reaching the end of their lifespan. Playgrounds in Ash, Beaconsfield, Brewers, Champlain Heights, Granville, William Mackie, and Winona parks are also scheduled to receive upgrades and two preschool play areas are in the works at Trout Lake and Thunderbird community centres. These playground renewals are funded through the 2019 Capital Plan.

Working with the Kitsilano Community Centre Association and local residents, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation also renewed the spray park at Connaught Park, making it more engaging, accessible, and sustainable. It opened last summer.