Port Moody a beautiful retreat

In and out through the back way
of the Burrard Inlet

Port Moody first came to be in 1858 after the completion of a trail now known as the North Road. The North Road was constructed as a supply route and a means to escape "northward" in case of a frontal assault from America shortly after NewWestminster was named the capital of the new colony of British Columbia. See post "NewWestminster: the empire strikes back". Tents turned into a town and in 1886 the prospering port grew to it's greatest prominence as the original Pacific terminus of Canada's first national railway. In 1913 the town incorporated into a city. Port Moody's strategic location on the east end of the Burrrard Inlet plus the addition of a railway made it a popular spot for many industries that have come and gone over the years.

Canadian Pacific Railroad terminus now a  museum\in Rocky Point Park

Today, steeped in history as it is, Port Moddy calls itself the city of the arts . I didn't visit any galleries but I did check out sections of the Trans Canada and Shoreline Trail that takes you around Moody Inlet. This beautiful trail connects three main parks: Rocky Point Park, Inlet Park and Old Mill Park. In total it is 3 km; however, if you're driving don't forget the turn around. There are plenty of opportunities to cut it short or join later in if you take transit. www.translink.ca . If you are driving you can also find parking around around Murray Street 1 km along the hike.

The city of Port Moody's website www.cityofportmoody.com  hails this trail as "universally accessible". This is a lofty and laudable idea but the term universal is a little hard to quantify. Finding a definition of the term is even hard to do, but at the heart of all variations of the theme, is the willingness to make whatever it is barrier free for all citizens. Barrier free does have a strict definition in accessible terminology. So to put it bluntly, the city's heart is in the right place and with some more work these trails and parks can achieve a barrier free title . Does this mean PWDs should stay away? If you do you'll miss a mighty fine place to visit. Rocky Point Park is worth the trip alone.

Railway overpass to  to Rocky Point Park

This park is very close to being barrier-free and has it all: recreation pier, outdoor pool, water park, skate board/bike park, boat slips, restaurants, museums, art exhibits and entertainment.

Wheelchair access to the high tide mark
pier in the background

Breathtaking views

At the park's entrance there is bus service and paid parking with numerous reserved spots. Changerooms for the pool and water park are large, and washrooms are also accessible to a high but not barrier free standard. For example barrier free design would include automatic doors. I am not nitpicking simply making a point.

Boat docks for recreation
a little old school for barrier free designation

The boat docks are fun walk. If the tide is high you can access the boat slips below and there is also a large boat launch to the water. Boat docks modelled after the ones along Vancouver's False Creek would be a step toward the designation "barrier free".

Have a warm by the fire

The park is well thought out with community in mind. For example the fire pit above belongs to he Boat House restaurant a chain of middle to high end eateries. The fireplace can be enjoyed for free in a public section of the park with benches and views over looking the inlet. The children's waterpark is  barrier free and amazing. The children's non-water play areas have barriers.

Cool spot on a hot summer day

The trail heading around the inlet is marked for walking and cycling safety. The bike path is cement and pretty smooth sailing in this section. You can also take a walking trail for a closer look at the inlet, but you will want to find a connector trail to the bike path at about the 3/4 km mark as it gets steep along the dirt trail.

Be bear and barrier aware

Beautiful views of salt mud tidal flats
and many species of bird and marine life

When you get to Murray Street via the trail you may want to turn around because at that point the trail begins to pose challenges. If you want to bus back to other areas of Metro Vancouver, this is a good spot to do it. Neaby parks in this downtown core area are worth checking out. Pioneer Park in downtown Port Moody is small but very nice.

The labyrinth in the children's healing
garden in pioneer park

Inlet Park

Even in my big off road wheelchair, I couldn't find a safe path to the boardwalk along the shore of Inlet Park. I did see a few trails that could be converted. The bike path at the 2 km mark (as you turn off Murray St.) begins it's inevitable up and down climb along the mountain ridge. Even though the trail is paved and hugs sea level as much as possible, there are a few steep climbs and drops ahead.

Old trout hatchery trail

While you explore tthe rails in a chair or other such device you will experience some turn rounds and some gorgeous scenery. Eventually at 3 km the trial ends at Old Orchard Park. This park has accessible washrooms, but little else about it is accessible. The slopes are very steep and the trails very rugged. DO NOT attempt to catch the accessible community shuttle along Ioco Road at the park's entrance. Turn back along the trail to the downtown area. This busy truck route has no curb cuts,  no accessible cross ways, no accessible bus stops, and is treacherous to any pedestrian.

The beach at Old Orchard Park
looking across to Rocky Point Park

The community hosts Ghost Town Days on the first weekend of October to kick off  the many Hallowe'en festivities across the Lower Mainland. AccessEco BC will be letting you know about various events soon. Check out the Port Moody website link above for more on this one. 

Well we won't be posting for a couple of weeks, but we are on the job checking out new places to explore or outdoor fun to enjoy so check back in October for more.

Flew the coop

Dog tales

My dog's name is Jimmy. When I first met him as a three month old puppy his licking and nuzzling into my neck stole my heart. In fact over the last year Jimmy has stolen my slippers, glasses, wallet, several papers and anything else he can chew to bits. We even had to replace our box spring under the mattress as Jimmy burrowed himself a little den in the old one. Thankfully he is a little over a year old and his puppy ways are slowly leaving him. But for all the chewing, peeing and pooping, I could not think of a day without his big brown eyes looking up as he lets loose what sounds like a cross between a growl and an excited yelp telling me to get off the computer and take him for a walk. And on those walks I have met many dog lovers as his instinctual social behavior seeks out and connects with others inevitably drawing me and other human dog companions into conversations as the dogs frolic together. Sometimes large groups gather in what results in a doggy free for all.

Jimmy

Not only are dogs great and faithful companions, but for PWDs they are often a lifeline performing a variety of tasks. Early on in humanity's relationship with dogs it became clear that these intelligent animals were not only social but could be trained to assist with hunting, guarding, herding and a variety of tasks. The first dogs used for PWDs were "seeing eye dogs". Literature about such dogs dates back to the early 1800s but they were not recognized under American law until the early 1920s. By the 1970s hearing assistance dogs were used and protected under the same legislation. In BC three categories of canine helpers are recognized under the Guide Animal Act. For more on the Act and it's implications go to www.bccpd.bc.ca/gada.htm.

The Pacific Association of Assistance Dogs (PADS) is an excellent organization that provides assistive dogs and hearing dogs. They offer a variety of programs along with amazing dogs that perform remarkable tasks. Disabled or not, if you love dogs check out these canines and their trainers. http://www.pads.ca/.

For guide dog information visit the BC and Alberta Guide Dog Services website at www.bcguidedog.com/. If you have a licensed guide dog and receive income assistance from the BC Ministry of Social Development don't forget to ask your worker for the allowance.

Hitching a ride

 Buddy and his dog ZZ Top (or is it the other way around)

Big fetch

If you're thinking of getting a dog as a pet my unfortunately titled list of Doggy Doos is guaranteed to keep you out of the deep stuff.

1. Remember: it's a lifetime commitment. A puppy from 3-6 months requires constant attention. From 6 months to a year it should not be left alone for more than 4 hours. No dog should be left alone for more than 10  hours and many say that is too long. So what's your plan to meet this demand?  It's an essential question.
2. Research the breed. From lap dogs to Great Danes, dogs are bred with inherent traits. It's important to understand the breed's purpose (e.g. retrieving game during hunting), energy level, exercise needs and temperament. All dogs have distinct personalities but understanding the traits will go a long way in helping you choose the right dog.
3. Get a health plan or start saving. Vet bills are inevitable and can be costly. You owe it to your dog to plan for them.
4. Have it spayed or neutered before it becomes sexually mature, which is usually around 6 months or as soon as it has lost all its first set of teeth. Waiting can be frustrating. When I was a boy my family had a dog called Hucka named after the cartoon character Huckleberry Hound. We did not have Hucka spayed and experienced much heartache as a result because poor Hucka kept "going missing" from the house to fill her need to breed. All the male dogs within smelling distance did the same, leading us to reconsider her name as the Happy Hucka after the author Xaviera Hollander.
5. Get a licence. It's the best chance of identifying the dog as yours if it's lost or stolen.
6. Adopt when possible, and if you do buy a dog, never buy from a puppy mill. Ensure your dog has come from a credible licenced breeder who breeds from outside the pack.
7. Enjoy it and give it lots of exercise. To that end here some good places to let Jimmy, ZZ Top or Rover off leash in the city.

Hundreds of  laminated dog greeting cards (not the kind the dogs make by themselves)
adorn the trees during Yuletide

Everett Crowley is my favorite (see post "Paradise recycled"). Not only am I lucky enough to have this park in my backyard, the comunity of dog walkers is a strong one. Looking out for each other and our dogs is the norm and during the Yuletide season owners take time to decorate trees and post laminated greetings from thier beloved pets. For a good doggy swim, nothing beats Trout Lake which is very accessible for dogs and chairs (see post "Hendry Park and Trout Lake").

Last one in smells nice

Labs

For a complete list of Vancouver's off leash parks go to www.vancouver.ca/parks or look to your local civic government website.

Adventure on the low seas

Steamer, tug and sailboat

Avast ye land lovers, even if yar have no sea legs, this is one way to enjoy the mariner's world. Vancouver's lower mainland has an abundance of ocean front, rivers and lakes, so ships, boats and docks play a key role in our daily lives as a means of providing food and other goods, transportation and recreation. A fascination with all things marine has kept the Burnaby Association of Marine Modelers rowing in the same direction for 51 years. Every Sunday and Wednesday these mariners get together in the lower pond at Burnaby's Central Park to sail their mostly self-constructed fleet.

Mooring the dock

Recreated water front harbour

This ain't no timothy tug boat

Riding the radio waves

 Past regatta winner

These are not toy boats. Just ask Mike Campbell, who has been a member for 6 years and has a fleet of 4 ships including a detailed to scale replica of the St  Roch. To see the life size St Roch, an RCMP schooner built to patrol the Arctic, go to Vanier Park and the Maritime Museum. AccessecoBC will visit the park and its attractions soon. Another model mariner is 83 year old Bud Moore. Bud got into the hobby while recovering from a stroke: "It was very therapeutic in recovering  eye, hand and dexterity skills". His son got him into it and he has been a member since 1979, now serving on the club's elected executive. He has a large fleet with several ships but his prize is a miniature recreation of an old paddlewheeler that took years to build and includes intricate detail such as several 1/4 inch lanterns he turned out on a lathe. Bud likes the fact that it makes boating affordable. Do it yourself kits start at around $250.00 but you can get a ready made ship with all the bells and whistles for just under $1000.  Second hand is cheaper but not easy to find. Many modellers are former boat owners who have found this a less expensive way to explore their passion. Jim Mortimer, a 3 year member, enjoys operating his submarine. He also owns the sailboat in the top photo pictured alongside the steamer that is using real steam to propel. The sailboats are wind powered and use radio signals to set the rudder for steering and to position the gybes as opposed to the mainsails for tact and speed. No gas boats are allowed as petrol leaves toxic pollutants that harm pond life.

The club operates year round and if the pond freezes over they have ice breakers as seen in the video below. If this is the kind of thing that floats your boat, just head down any Saturday or Wednesday morning. Bud starts setting up about 7:30 am and others join in throughout the day into the early afternoon. For a real show, check out the club's annual regatta featuring tug pulls, schooner, sail and motor races and of course a Grand Parade. Club dues are $30 a year.  If you are not a joiner, no problem. You can use the pond and launch for free anytime.

For park details check out my post "Burnaby's Central Park: reach out and touch nature". There's accessible parking at the main entrance near the lower pond and just a few feet from the accessible model boat launch. Don't be intimidated if you don't know much about the hobby: this merry band of mariners will be happy to help you along the way. Check out their Yahoo group site BurnabyRCModelboatClub. It's a members page open to anyone and offers a group forum to problem solve or brag about the latest creations and announce upcoming events.

Until next time. "Oh lord above, send down a dove with beak as sharp as razors, to cut the throats of them there blokes that sell bad beer to sailors."  - Tom Lewis sailor's prayer

Downtown eastside parks calm in the eye of the storm

Rocks, trees and fish are major contributors to our provincial economy and, along with our labour and stewardship, make for great parks. Given the activist history of the downtown east side ("DTES"), it is fitting to visit some of its parks this Labour Day weekend. The DTES is the cradle of BC's labour movement, and the neighbourhood's current state reminds us of the importance of the labour movement's fruits which include medicare and pensions. The DTES today showcases creative initiatives that may yet heal its fragile and fractious community.

As early as 175 years ago the area now known as the DTES was a marshland that connected False Creek to the Burrard Inlet. Cedar trees populated the area so thickly that they obscured the view of the inlet. Milling was one of Vancouver's first industries. Following the loggers and the mill workers came one of the area's first of a long line of drinking establishments. In 1867 Gassy Jack established a bar in a small settlement named in his honour: Gastown. Gassy Jack made sure it was as close to Stamp's Mill (at what is now the foot of Gore street) as it could be.

As more and more people settled, other industries sprang up throughout the area and the newly forming province. Ship building, railroading, fishing and mining prospered, most often on the backs exploited labour. The Chinese rail workers, no longer in demand after the 1885 completion of the railroad, were among the first to settle on the periphery of the DTES. They were followed by miners and loggers, who spent their time off from the hardships of dangerous work in extreme wilderness conditions in the area's cheap hotels, opium dens bars and brothels. Eventually the hard life would catch up with these folks and by the ripe old age of 40 they would be 'used up" often due to injury and disability and would return to what was rapidly becoming skid row. By the 1930s skid row was in full vigor as these men and woman were joined by thousands more from all walks of life during the great depression. Eventually, through organizing and literal blood sweat and tears, the labour movement was born in BC. The Battle of Balentine Pier, a bloody affair at the foot of what is now Heatley St in 1935, was what many consider the catalyst for the On to Ottawa Trek. In 1935 an unsuccessful dockworkers' strike ended in a violent confrontation at Balentine Pier.  Some workers occupied the Carnegie Centre, a government building at that time, and over several weeks they were joined by thousands of relief camp refugees. Along the eastward journey thousands more joined their ranks. The government viewed the trek as an insurgency and stopped it with violent force in Regina.  But the seeds of a union movement had been planted and the collective consciousness of many Canadians had turned toward social democracy.

Ups and downs, booms, busts and protests continued in the DTES as depicted in the 1971 Stan Douglas photo below. The photo's background is the site of the Woodward's Department Store that opened in 1892 and closed in 1992. After much community activism the site was reopened in 2009 as a mix of social and public housing, educational, recreational , artistic, not for profit and market space combined.  Just down the street, the iconic Save On Meats has reopened and followed suit: the butcher shop now also houses a restaurant and business space that is inexpensive and available to anyone willing to establish a skill building for-profit enterprise that will provide the area's hard hit residents with employment. Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive ins and Dives fame was just in town and he hit several joints in the neighborhood, including Save On Meats, for his first show taped outside the USA to be shown later this season on the Food Network.

That does not mean the area is now trouble free. Just days ago police issued a warning that seniors and PWDs are being preyed upon by some very desperate criminals. Drugs and prostitution are rampant. Be very cautious if you are in the area day or night. If you don't live there or are not familiar with the area don't be there at night. Still, if it's within your comfort level it's worth a daytime visit.

This photo hangs in the lobby of the new Woodwards building

As the area grows and changes parks will continue to play an important role as a recreational outlet. In this post we visit three parks in the area that are sure to reward your adventurous spirit.

Andy Livingston Park, on Expo Boulevard and Carroll St, borders Vancouver's Yaletown to the west and the DTES on the east. The park is very accessible with lots of paved pathways, places to sit, basketball court, washrooms, playing fields and a children's play area all of which are wheelchair friendly. Park entrances are at well marked crosswalks with audible signals, and way finding is very well marked throughout the DTES.

Rippling water fountain

Just a block away down Carroll St are the Dr Sun Yat Sen Gardens. There are paid and free sections of the park and during the 2010 Olympics it got some accessible modifications. It's like stepping into a different world just a few feet off the bustling Chinatown path. There is paid parking in the area but no parking in Andy Livingston Park or the Dr Sun Yat Sen Gardens.

Crab Park at Port Side is spectacular. Its waterfront vista offers great city skyline views and has lots of amenities.

An accessible children's play area and water park, picnic tables, benches, walking paths, accessible washrooms, an off leash dog area with beach access to Burrard Inlet, and a gentle ramped slope at the park's entrance make the park a joy to visit. Crab Park at Port Side is a little off the beaten path, but there is plenty of parking at the west entrance. The park has a small pier and there is no crabbing allowed at any time. So how did this park get it's name? It was originally called Portside Park when it was opened in 1986. In the mid-1990s Geoff McMurchie and the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities successfully campaigned to have wheelchair ramps installed after the completion of an overpass rendered the park inaccessible.  Afterward, the neighborhood formed a new committee called Create a Real Available Beach ("CRAB"). In 2004 the city renamed the park in recognition of the committee's valuable work. For more information on these parks visit www.vancouver.ca/parks

Until next time Happy Labour Day.


Port of Vancouver

Bridge overpass

Wheel chair access
from the foot of Main St

Subtle and not so subtle reminders
of the extreme poverty in the area