Inside Vancouver

Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup Kicks off this Saturday at Kits Beach

by Dana Lynch in Green City on September 16, 2011

The Vancouver Aquarium is much more than a beloved local institution and attraction; it’s also a nation-wide leader in environmental and conservation efforts. One of its most influential initiatives—in concert with the WWF—is the annual Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, a community-led effort to clean up one of our great natural resources: our beautiful beaches and shores.

Each year, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup coordinates clean-up events at hundreds of beaches across the country. In 2010, the week-long event removed 98,071 kilograms of litter from Canadian shores!

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Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup Kicks off this Saturday at Kits Beach

Best Dog Beach in Vancouver? You make the call!

by Remy Scalza in Green City on September 11, 2011

Vancouver has some lucky dogs. In what other city do canines have their own special beaches? And not just any beaches – beautiful strips of sand, prize waterfront real estate right in the heart of the city. White sand to dig in, clean water to swim in, big chunks of driftwood to gnaw on. It’s doggie heaven. In fact, sometimes I get a little jealous.

I’ve done a bit of homework, and – according to the Vancouver Park Board website – there are no fewer than seven designated dog beaches around Vancouver (not to mention all those secret spots for dog dipping). Options range from the wilds of Spanish Banks, way outside the city, to prime downtown waterfront at Sunset Beach, in the shadow of the Burrard Street Bridge.

But I have to confess, I’m not a dog owner. So I’m turning this one over to you:

What’s your mut’s favourite dog beach in Vancouver? And what makes it so special? Please share your knowledge by commenting below.

To make things easier, here’s a list of the seven official dog beaches that I found on the Park Board website, in alphabetical order:

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Best Dog Beach in Vancouver? You make the call!

Wreck Beach Skinny Dipping – July 2, 2011

by Dana Lynch in Events on June 30, 2011

2010 Skinny-Dip at Wreck Beach. Photo: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

Of all the gorgeous Vancouver beaches, Wreck Beach consistently tops most Vancouverites’ list of “best Vancouver beaches.” Wreck Beach is loved for its rugged, natural beauty, its laid-back, hippie vibe, and for its famous status as one of the world’s greatest clothing-optional beaches—it’s liberating to know that, if you ever want to swim in the ocean naked, there’s a place to do that right here in the city.

Since the beach is clothing-optional, one could argue that every day is skinny-dipping day at Wreck Beach. But since 2009, Wreck Beach has made organized skinny-dipping an annual event.

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Wreck Beach Skinny Dipping – July 2, 2011

In Praise of Vancouver Beach Concession Stands

by Remy Scalza in Food & Drink on May 31, 2011

Photo Credit: Vancouver.ca

Vancouver’s chic-progressive-fresh-local-organic-sustainable restaurant scene gets plenty of attention. So let me take a moment to praise some unsung, blue-collar heroes of the local food world: the beach (and park) food concession stands.

There are dozens of these humble concessions scattered around Vancouver’s beaches and parks. They generally don’t look like much from the outside – squat, even ugly, brick buildings with big windows out front where food is served. And the menus for the most part aren’t terribly exciting – burgers and dogs, fish-and-chips, ice cream and the usual stuff.

But, for beachgoers ravenous after a day in the sun or powerwalkers famished from a long stroll on the seawall, there is arguably no higher cuisine than concession fare.

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In Praise of Vancouver Beach Concession Stands

The Right to Bare Arms (and Legs): Beach season in Vancouver approaches

by Remy Scalza in Outside on April 27, 2011

Fabulous for skiing, Vancouver’s long, wet winters don’t make for especially great tanning. So when the sun finally starts peeking out and temperatures begin to rise in late spring, Vancouverites flock to the city’s beaches.

Surrounded by the waters of the Pacific, Vancouver has no shortage of sandy white strands to soak up the rays. In fact, with more than a dozen options to choose from, there’s a beach to suit every personality. Here are a few of the local favorites to check out:

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The Right to Bare Arms (and Legs): Beach season in Vancouver approaches

Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup Kicks off this Saturday at Kits Beach

Best Dog Beach in Vancouver? You make the call!

Wreck Beach Skinny Dipping – July 2, 2011

In Praise of Vancouver Beach Concession Stands

The Right to Bare Arms (and Legs): Beach season in Vancouver approaches

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