Green Vancouver

[Kristl Walek]

I could barely wait to see the mountains again---and the first view of the snow-topped peaks from my Air Canada seat filled me with excitement to be back in western Canada.

One is instantly stuck by how green and lush the landscape is in this part of the world- even in mid October, especially so in spring. The always present rain and mild temperatures of coastal BC ensure it.
And beyond the skyscrapers of the downtown core, this is a very green city, which has long placed a priority on ensuring that nature is ever-present on city streets.

And depending on where you stand, the mountains almost always form the backdrop to your vision; and sometimes the ocean is equally present.

My son lives minutes from downtown, and yet one would barely know it, once you leave the main street.

[Kristl Walek]

As I knew that this journey would be centered on the city itself, with no opportunities to get out into the wild, it was an interesting adventure looking at the city with different eyes.

The streets in my son's neighbourhood are composed of apartment buildings and large, picturesque wooden homes, some dating from the 19th Century and most with wonderful, enthusiastic gardens.

The streets themselves are fascinating. Luc's street was originally designed with planting areas at the curbs, and with planted round-abouts at every single corner. I was not sure whether these were planted by the residents or the city.

Equally fascinating in this neighbourhood is the fact that blocks of streets are devoted to particular species of street trees; so, one might have a block of a particular conifer, then oaks, chestnuts or snake-bark maples. There was one block devoted to the eastern American Sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua.

When I went to the Parks Vancouver web site, I discovered that there are 130,000 trees lining the streets of Vancouver and that the tree inventory is made up of nearly 600 different species and cultivars---certainly astounding when I think of the tiny selection and quantity of street trees lining the city of Ottawa here.

Over 3,500 street trees and 700 park trees are planted every year in Vancouver. As well, nearly 3 million ladybugs are released annually to help control aphid infestations.

[Kristl Walek]

These beautiful large old maples lined Luc's block. The fantastic trunks were overgrown with moss, and sported small ferns high into the canopy.

Vancouver is the first city I have visited that has a car idling by-law.

[Kristl Walek]

Perhaps there is something about cities near the sea that inspires the passionate use of colour on house exteriors. (I recall the pastels of San Francisco structures).

With my interest in art/architecture, the walk around Luc's neighbourhood was very stimulating. Some wonderful examples of largely unaffordable houses.

[Kristl Walek]

Stanley Park (1,000 acres) is 5 minutes from downtown Vancouver and the city's first park (1889). It is quite a wonderful setting next to the ocean, with majestic, old conifers (red cedar, hemlock and fir) that are unmatched in eastern Canada.

In 2007 one famous old cedar in the park, known as the "National Geographic Tree" finally perished in a storm. It was believed to be the largest red cedar in the world (13 metres around at the base and 40 metres tall). It's age was estimated at 1,000 years.

[Kristl Walek]

I did run into some deciduous trees as well.

Seeing some very large Acer leaves floating in the ocean made me search for the origin---which turned out to be Acer macrophyllum (Big Leaf Maple). Under its canopy was growing the vine-maple (Acer circinatum) and Maianthemum dilatatum. As I was photographing the plants, a very curious Racoon got enchanted with my backpack and literally followed me on my stroll for the next 10 minutes.

[Kristl Walek]

Queen Elizabeth Park is the closest I came to a botanic garden on this visit (having decided to forego the Van Dusen and UBC). This is the site of an old quarry which was transformed into an arboretum and gardens. It is also the highest spot in Vancouver.

Here I saw plants one doesn't see in the east--Gunnera, Monkey Puzzle Tree, tall Bamboo. There are large plantings of Rhododendron and Asian Maples.

It was however the textures of the landscape that appealed to my sense of beauty.

[Kristl Walek]

The beautiful Arbutus unedo was hanging heavy with flower and some of last years fruit, which takes a year to ripen, at the mature red stage.

And in a wet, wild corner I found the native Mahonia aquifolium, Physocarpus capitatus and Symphoricarpus occidentalis, all at the ready seed stage.

[Kristl Walek]

Of course, the reason for my trip was to see my darling son, Luc, the actor, who loves the life, arts, energy and multi-culturalism of Vancouver. He fits here and thrives in this place that his mother prefers to visit. A small quiet town in the mountains of BC, or preferably in Alberta, would, however, be another story altogether....

[David Nicholson]

Lovely set of pictures Kristl, thanks for taking the time to post them.  Vancouver looks a lovely city, it's on my 'List' but don't suppose I shall ever get there. Glad I don't have to paint those houses though.

[Maggi Young]

My word, Kristl, you have given us another real treat here.....a super record of your trip.........and a little glimpse into Luc's busy life, too.... how delightful..... thank you so much .
It has been a long wait through the day while the forum was "down" to see these fine pix...... worth the wait, though!!

[Kristl Walek]

Vancouver looks a lovely city, it's on my 'List' but don't suppose I shall ever get there. Glad I don't have to paint those houses though.

It's a complex place for many other reasons than I have shown---including being the most ethnically diverse city in Canada---the link to the Asian Corridor is clear---almost 53% visible minorities, and expected to increase, most of whom are Chinese (thus businesses, food, politics are all influenced by this); high provincial taxes of about 18-19%, including a hefty "social services" tax, one of the highest crime rates in Canada; large disparity between the rich and the poor, as might be expected in this kind of a city. It's been a long time since I saw homelessless at such a level with bodies on every streetcorner (predominantly young to middle-aged white males). I could have shown pages of pictures of the hundreds of "scavengers" working through the garbage in the rear of Luc's building from early morning until late night.

And, having spent almost 2 years painting my house exterior and interior--I could *not* imagine doing even one of these large Vancouver properties---but I would imagine that those who can afford to own them can afford to pay to have the labour done.

Maggi, Luc was in the last 4 days of a production while I was there (the prince in a modern version of the Cinderella story), which is the only reason I even had time to see the city.

[Maggi Young]

I imagine not all of the scavengers were of the four-legged masked bandit type, then?
I suppose we (I) ought not to be surprised that every city nowadays has huge problems of homelessness and poverty.... though why there should be these Gangs is beyond me.......it can only make life worse, not better... aren't there enough problems for these kids already??

[Kristl Walek]

The "gangs" are not the American style youth gangs---but organized crime gangs (which is a much different kettle of fish.

And as to the crime rate---it is actually not violent crimes that creates the statistic for Vancouver, but break-ins (highest rate in North America).

Vancouver folks live the longest, are the healthiest of all Canadians. Yet, 17.5% live below the poverty line)---and that is the real link with the crime rate.

[FemaleDuck]

Hi Kristl. Pictures is beautiful.