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Lynn Valley Life Easter Egg Hunt!

 

Our favourite Lynn Valley Life community event is finally back and it’s just around the corner!  Between hiding the all the eggs, seeing the happy kids and getting a high five from the Easter Bunny, it doesn’t get much better.

This year we are celebrating our FREE Easter Egg Hunt on Monday, April 21st at Viewlynn Park from 10am-noon with the hunt at 10:30am sharp! Due to the popularity of the event, any child age 10 and under is welcome. We kindly ask that parents participate with their children and that people are respectful to the volunteers who help make this event possible. We love that this tradition brings so many North Vancouver families out.

We will have our favourite face painters, balloon twisters, prizes, and our famous loot bags (while supplies last). 

Don’t forget your basket or bag! As in past years, we will stagger groups of kids with the youngest going first so they aren’t trampled by the older kids. Cross your fingers for sunshine and a whole bunch of bunny fun but the event will be happening rain or shine!

Proudly sponsored by ‘Your Local One Stop Shop’ at Lynn Valley Life ~ Oakwyn Realty, Central Agencies Insurance, Mortgage Dave and Senju Notary

April 2, 2025 in Blog, Community Events, Current News

From tallest to smallest: Bonsai take hold in Lynn Valley

Did you know that one of the tallest trees in the world ever recorded grew right here in Lynn Valley? That 410-foot Douglas fir was felled beside Argyle Road in 1902. Ironically, it’s now miniature trees that are capturing people’s attention just a stone’s throw away from there.

Some family bucket list ideas

The Lynn Valley Bonsai Group has been meeting in the downstairs hall of St. Clement’s Anglican Church for over two years, ever since group leader David Bailey wanted to give people a place to “hang out and build community” after the enforced isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

His timing may have been right for more than just social reasons. Over those periods of lock down, many people developed an interest in houseplants, backyard birds, and creative pursuits they previously hadn’t found time for. Those scores of people who had become dedicated to keeping their sourdough starter alive might be just the sort who would enjoy offering a similar level of attentiveness to a bonsai tree.

A beautiful dream

One of the regular attendees at Bonsai Night doesn’t mind driving in all the way from Guildford 

in Surrey to take part. A gardener by trade, he enjoys making friends over a shared passion, and is happy to support Bailey’s “beautiful dream” of a community built around bonsai.

Other members come from over the bridge as well, while some of course are North Van locals. Some have been doing bonsai for decades and others are rank beginners. The latter sometimes spend a number of evenings just watching the others at work, asking questions and working up the confidence to start on their own tree.

It is clearly a group of people who are happy to give tips to rookies. While other bonsai clubs usually offer a speaker series, this group prefers to get right down to their work and chat over their soil and trowels. 

West coast style

At our recent visit, group members described “West Coast” bonsai style as aiming to mimic nature as it is, rather than creating the perfect tree idealized in Japanese bonsai. Species that lend themselves to bonsai – junipers, some maples, Japanese citrus and winterberry, for example – must have foliage that will keep in proportion to the stunted height. 

By paying close attention to your tree, it will tell you what it needs, they say. Horticultural knowledge is garnered along the way as you learn what keeps your tree alive and well.

Wiring the branches and other techniques can be used to shape the form of the tree and, as one member explains, make it look “inviting” to the viewer. Pots are chosen carefully for their colour and shape, and moss, rocks, or other additions can be used to create a mini landscape.

“It’s supposedly relaxing,” he says wryly – while freely acknowledging its meditative aspect, he notes that a project is without its occasional challenges. 

All going well, though, your tree might even last longer than you will. Some maples may reach 100 years old, having passed through the hands of several stewards.

A free for all

There is no membership fee, and the group’s official meetings are the first and third Saturday of every month, from 7 to 9 p.m. The church hall is located at 3400 Institute Rd. An annual display at St. Clement’s showcases the group’s work in all its creative variety. 

For more information, contact the Lynn Valley Bonsai Group by emailing [email protected], or join its private Facebook group to keep abreast of meetings and shows.

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April 1, 2025 in Blog, Eco-Awareness & The Great Outdoors Comments (0)

Lynn Valley will split the election

There will be twice as many election signs lining Mountain Highway this year because for the first time Lynn Valley will be split down the middle. Half will remain in North Vancouver (currently represented by Jonathan Wilkinson) and half will join Burnaby-North Seymour (currently held by Terry Beech).

Divided

The multi-year evaluation of electoral boundaries in Canada culminated with public input and official changes taking effect in 2023. This will be the first federal election with Lyn Valley divided by Mountain Highway. Previously the community was represented by one member of Parliament – Johnathan Wilkson – with the riding of North Vancouver. 

During the process there were a few different scenarios dividing Howe Sound, West Vancouver, City of North Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver. Previous elections have had those East of Lynn Creek in the District join North Burnaby. For the first time, parts of Lynn Valley and Grand Boulevard will join them.  

“The system is reviewed after every 10 year census that is to make sure electoral boundaries are fair and reasonable and reflect the population and where growth has been” said Dr. Caroline Elliott, a sessional instructor in the Political Science Department at SFU. “The main thing they look at is population equality.” 

Dr. Caroline Elliott

The goal is to make sure each district has approximately the same population within a province, with considerations to keep language, culture and history considered to to keep communities together, she said. 

“One of the big things they look at are geographic boundaries that make sense in less dense communities. In Northern British Columbia to get a [riding] density the same as metro Vancouver, it would take up so much physical land that it would be very hard to physically move throughout the region to represent the people effectively,” said Elliott. 

“We might think what does Deep Cove have to do with Hastings Street but also think of one community in the Peace region and a town completely out of the region represented by the same person.”

Less about space, more about people

Having Lynn divided could have challenges and benefits. There are now two voices in Parliament representing the neighbourhood but the percentage of voices within the ridings will be smaller. 

“I think there are impacts on the representative and on the communities,” said Elliott. “It’s challenging when it might not be close to their home. [West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country] from Pemberton to Sechelt – that puts the onus on the representative to get to know and understand communities that may have very different interests. The impact on those being representative is getting your voice heard can be difficult if traveling is required to be heard. A riding like North Vancou

ver-Capilano is much more contained, representing Ambleside, Edgemont, North Vancouver and parts of Lynn Valley.”

A split like Lynn Valley has faced can be jarring.

“Generally communities like to be kept whole,” said Elliott. “A lot of people in Lynn Valley may be thinking ‘Are we going to get the attention our community needs if they only represent half the people?’ It’s an excellent question to ask candidates about how they will listen to your community.”

Despite the discomfort of change, Canadians can feel protected by the process of electoral boundaries, she said. The process is independent from politicians and happens regularly and with a rigorously defined process. 

“There is a lot that goes into being a representative beyond geographic boundaries. Like community and interest groups and once they have been elected it is their job to do their absolute best to represent each and every person who lives in that riding,” said Elliott. “Regardless of whether they voted for them or not or whether they live in the area they live in or not. More than a boundary, I think it is the person that gets elected that matters.

“Get engaged in the electoral process, ask the questions about how we will be represented, ensuring the candidates are thinking about the new communities they are representing.”

Looking for more?

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April 1, 2025 in Blog, Governance and Services Comments (0)

Celebrating Persian New Year with local delights

With Persian New Year just around the corner, guest writer Nicole Palacios gives us a glimpse of the delights to behold at Lynn Valley’s Kourosh Bakery.

A cabinet of delights

Whenever I want to get a special cake for a birthday celebration, I always go to Kourosh Bakery in the Lynn Valley Mall. Not only are their cakes delicious, but the owner always remembers me – a trait I find hard to come by these days in most retail establishments. The smells that envelop you when you walk in the door are mesmerizing and the array of goodies behind the glass counters are pleasantly overwhelming. It’s hard to choose just one thing.

From amazing mocha cakes to chickpea cookies and baklava, this bakery has a little bit of everything. And they even deliver.

In speaking with the owner, Samaneh Zandieh, I was intrigued to find out a few things about Kourosh Bakery, like how they started, any obstacles they’ve had to overcome, specialties for Persian New Year, and why they chose Lynn Valley to open their bakery and call home.

Loving Lynn Valley

Zandieh was passionate about loving Lynn Valley, even before the bakery opened. She and her husband would come to Lynn Valley frequently to enjoy the nature and beauty that is our community. When they found the location for the bakery, it was easy to make the decision to open here. And now, after a few years, they are also able to call Lynn Valley home, living in a condo not far from where their business.

Opening Kourosh

Kourosh Bakery opened its doors in 2018. Zandieh and her husband, were looking for the perfect spot to open a bakery, and found it in the previous insurance office at 1248 Lynn Valley Road. The building was up for lease, and they thought it seemed like the perfect spot for them. 

At first glance, Samaneh thought the space was too small, but it turned out that there was enough space in the back for her husband to do the baking, while having a spacious storefront with all of the goodies displayed out front.

Small business bumps

Getting the space ready was a bit of a challenge, as they had to get many permits, she said. There were delays for eight months after getting the space, which made paying the rent an obstacle that the couple had to overcome. Generous support from the person they were subleasing from gave them a few months free on their rent to get on thier feet. 

This made all the difference and enabled them to do the work they needed on the bakery in order to open – from electrical to plumbing –  and start selling their baked goods, said Zandieh.

Covid Times

The bakery was established before Covid, adaptation and innovation helped the small business not only survive but thrive during the pandemic, said Zandieh. . The bakery closed for two weeks, like most other services at that time, but after that short time,  they reopened and were busier than ever.

“We started to deliver with UberEats and Doordash, which exposed us to new customers,” said Zandieh.  

Instead of having fewer customers, they were able to tap into a whole new market of people who were staying home and ordering in, during the tough time, their customer base grew extensively. 

Persian New Year

With many residents of North Vancouver hailing from Iran, Persian New Year is widely celebrated on the Spring Equinox. This year it takes place on March 20th. Kourosh has some amazing goodies like chickpea cookies, lady fingers, and coconut macaroons to place on your table to celebrate. 

Kourosh Bakery is in the Lynn Valley Mall, open six days a week, closed on Mondays. 

Written for LynnValleyLife.com by Nicole Palacios.

Looking for more?

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March 2, 2025 in Blog, Merchant Mentions, Notable Neighbours Comments (0)

One Big Day with Bruce

Lynn Valley is home to many creative and interesting people, and one of them is Bruce Grierson. An award-winning writer and deep thinker, Grierson has spent years exploring human behaviour, personal growth, and what makes people tick. His project, One Big Day, is a simple but powerful idea: setting aside one full day to focus completely on something that truly matters to you. No distractions, no multitasking—just one day, one goal.

Who is Bruce Grierson?

If you’ve ever picked up The New York Times Magazine, Popular Science, The Walrus, Time Magazine, or Psychology Today, you’ve likely come across Grierson’s work. He has written for some of the biggest publications, tackling topics that range from longevity to the psychology of change. He’s also the author of books like What Makes Olga Run?, a fascinating look at the habits of a 94-year-old track star, and U-Turn, which explores why people make major life changes. His writing is engaging, relatable, and full of stories that make you think. Grierson firmly believes that “everyone has a story” — and through his work, he helps bring those stories to life.

The big idea of  ‘One Big Day’

Like most of us, Grierson found it challenging to carve out time for the things he truly wanted to do. We’re swamped with work, distractions, and endless obligations. One Big Day is his solution: dedicate one full day each month to focus exclusively on something important—whether it’s finishing a creative project, learning a new skill, or even just creating space to breathe. In the end, it’s these dedicated moments that turn into lasting memories.

Grierson also talks about how we approach our actions: anticipating, doing, and reflecting. Most of us spend our time simply “doing” without reflecting. Without reflection, our experiences don’t turn into lasting memories. According to Grierson, if you didn’t “write” the story—either literally or in your mind—you wouldn’t remember it. The story is what makes an experience memorable, turning ordinary moments into lasting memories.

How it works
The beauty of One Big Day is its simplicity. Pick a day, clear your schedule, and go all in. Grierson even suggests monthly themes to help guide your focus. For example, one month might be dedicated to learning something new, another to fixing something, or simply getting creative. 

The value of uninterrupted time

It’s about making real progress without the usual interruptions. This structured approach overtakes procrastination and makes it easier to make real progress. Grierson maintains that the continuous time dedicated to your project is more productive than the same amount of time broken up over weeks or months. With one day you do not have to pause to get set up, take down, or pivot to other tasks.

Ideas for a One Big Day in Lynn Valley
If you’re in Lynn Valley, there are plenty of ways to make the most of your One Big Day. Here are some ideas:

  • Get Outdoors & Create: Take a long hike through Lynn Canyon, then find a scenic spot to write, sketch, or snap some photos.
  • Finally, Tackle That Home Project: Whether it’s starting a garden, landscaping, or decluttering your space, use your day to check something off your list.
  • Give Back to the Community: Volunteer for a local group or event such as Lynn Valley Days.
  • Learn Something New: Try a new hobby—baking, woodworking, playing an instrument—and spend the day getting better at it.
  • Unplug & Reset: Go tech-free, get outside, meditate in the forest, or simply enjoy some uninterrupted time doing what makes you happy.

Building a community

To paraphrase Bruce – one of the coolest parts of One Big Day is the sense of community that’s growing around it. Grierson shares his experiences and stories from others who have tried it. By reflecting on and sharing these moments, we are reminded that taking time for personal passions can lead to meaningful change and great memories.

Why it matters 

Our attention is continually being pulled in different directions, and dedicating one full day to something important can feel like a game-changer. One Big Day isn’t about perfection—it’s about making progress in a way that feels doable. And who knows? That one day might be the catalyst for a bigger shift in your life than you ever expected. At the very least it’s sure to be a memorable story.

Want to learn more and see stories including  Lynn Valley locals and their One Big Day Projects? Check out Bruce’s blog onebigday.net.

Written for LynnValleyLife.com by Tina Homsy-Williams

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March 2, 2025 in Blog, Notable Neighbours Comments (0)

Helping kids to heal outside

There’s something about being out in nature that calms people’s minds and soothes the soul. Sarah Borthwick and Rosie Higgins wanted to harness that peaceful power for their work as occupational therapists working with children. They both dreamed of taking children’s therapy out into the great outdoors, and Forest Kids OT was born.

Forest Kids

Kids work with Borthwick and Higgins to build social and motor skills, balance and coordination, executive functioning, and sensory processing. Occupational therapy (OT) is a branch of health care that helps people of all ages who have physical, sensory, or cognitive problems. OT can help them regulate their emotions and regain independence in all areas of their lives. Forest Kids OT can help children become more confident, regulated, and aware of themselves and others.

“Rosie and I both really love the outdoors and see so many benefits for children in being in nature,” Borthwick says. “Nature is incredibly regulating and restorative, and we’ve seen this first-hand with our own children. We have both been OTs for many years, but learned more about pediatric nature-based OT in recent years and felt so drawn to it.

 “We both volunteer for our children’s cross-country ski club and we spent many hours last winter skiing together while dreaming of what Forest Kids OT could be,” she adds. “I took a certification course called ConTiGO, which is the professional standard in pediatric nature-based OT, and then we both took other courses which would help us provide best practice pediatric OT in a nature-based setting. We really believe children do well when they can, and being outdoors in nature is such a great environment to help them reach their goals and have fun in the process.”

Local forests are spaces to grow

Forest Kids OT is currently based in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, which Borthwick describes as a “beautiful and remote forest location away from the stressors of urban and everyday life.” (The two are considering adding an additional location in the future as well, possibly in central Vancouver as they get many inquiries for that.)

The pair offers occupational therapy in groups of up to six children aged four to nine in weekly 1.5-hour sessions for nine weeks. The small numbers give kids the opportunity to develop relationships with peers over time and work on peer relationships. 

Fully immersed in nature, the program consists of a mix of structured and unstructured, facilitated play. 

“We might be cooking over a camp stove, going on a scavenger hunt, doing an art activity, or playing collaborative games—all the while keeping in mind during the planning and throughout the sessions what each child’s goal is,” Borthwick says. “We also commonly integrate some content from a self-regulation or emotional regulation curriculum we are both certified in.[We also] communicate the information to the families so they can continue to support their child at home. Every activity is purposeful, but the kids just experience a fun morning outside. We want the children to enjoy being in our group and want to come back week after week.”

For Borthwick and Higgins, the work is incredibly fulfilling. 

“We love seeing the children become more comfortable and confident as the weeks progress and as they develop relationships with the other children and us,” Borthwick says. “It’s incredibly rewarding to get to know these amazing children and be a part of their lives and see them make progress on their therapy goals. It’s such a privilege to help children and families work towards their goals, and it’s so meaningful to develop lasting relationships with families.”

For more information about Forest Kids OT, visit https://www.forestkidsot.ca/

Written for LynnValleyLife.com by Gail Johnson

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March 2, 2025 in Blog, Eco-Awareness & The Great Outdoors Comments (0)

Raising voices to raise money

Have you ever dreamed about singing in a gospel choir? If movies like Sister Act get you up and dancing, guess what – now’s your chance to give spirited choral singing a try, and help Argyle Music students at the same time.

Voices together

Argyle Secondary School choir teacher Will Clements has teamed up with St. Clement’s Anglican Church, BC Choral Federation vice-president Kevin Zakresky, and Universal Gospel Choir director Lonnie Delisle to plan a day of choral collaboration for singers and listeners alike.

On Saturday, March 8, at 11:30, singers of all ages and abilities will work with Universal Gospel Choir director Lonnie Delisle, putting heart and soul into learning some tunes together. An afternoon concert will follow at 3:30 p.m., featuring not just the workshop singers, but performances from excellent Lower Mainland choirs including Maddalena’s Descant, Pacific Spirit Choir, the Argyle Chamber Choir, and the Universal Gospel Choir.

Supporting students

Clement, who leads Argyle’s vocal jazz and concert choirs as well as its chamber choir, describes the event as “the perfect everything coming all together.” He is “really excited” to be working collaboratively with St. Clement’s and local choir directors to host an event that will bring the choral community together.

As an added bonus, the workshop and concert will take place in Argyle’s atrium, a light-filled space with marvellous acoustics that Clement likens to a cathedral. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to visit the near-new school, here is your chance to do so.

Argyle Music has deep roots in the Lynn Valley community, with both band and choir programs proving a high-school highlight for many students throughout the decades. Will was happy to report that popular former choir teachers Janet Warren and Francis Roberts are still involved in the Argyle Music “family,” and he had hosted them both for tea just the week before his conversation with LynnValleyLife. Warren is a faculty advisor for new music teachers and drops by in that capacity, while Roberts often works as a teacher-on-call if Clement is absent.

Clement promises the workshop will be “very fun and engaging,” and anyone who comes to the concert is definitely in for a treat. All money raised will support the Argyle Music travel bursary fund, so that cost doesn’t stand in the way of students being able to attend music trips and retreats. 

 

Details for the events, and links to purchase tickets for the workshop or concert, can be found at www.stclementschurch.ca or www.argylemusic.ca.

Looking for more?

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February 26, 2025 in Artistic Endeavours, Blog, Community Events, School News Comments (0)

Acts Of Kindness continue

Celebrating Lynn Valley is just about our favourite thing to do. Doing it with good people is even better. Our Acts Of Kindness contest with our partner Romer’s Kitchen Lynn Valley makes it even better. We feel pretty lucky each day we open up a nomination for our AOK award. 

Above and beyond

Carol Williams is the most dedicated volunteer supporting Girl Guides in our Lynn Valley community. She dedicates countless hours to planning fun and creative activities for our kids and always does it with a smile. On top all the organizing, she’ll also goes above and beyond to bake hundreds of beautifully decorated cookies to gift to each girl as a treat. Beyond supporting the district she has also offered to be the treasurer for a small group of Pathfinders traveling to the UK this summer. She didn’t have to do that but recognized a struggle and offered her help. She is the kindest, most amazing woman that is so deserving of being recognized and rewarded! Thank you.

We are glad you are a part of our community.

Good deeds, good eats

That is the Lynn Valley we see too. The future is bright with small acts of daily kindness that make this community warm and a place where people still say hello to strangers walking down the street. Thinking about our own experiences and the couple of LVL team members who live close to Argyle: we have had students offer to carry in groceries, hold the hands of a busy toddler while their baby sibling is put into their car seat, show up to clear flood debris, rake leaves and shovel snow. We know negative news is noisy but there is plenty of good to get loud about.  

Romer’s Fresh Kitchen and Bar and LynnValleyLife want to acknowledge more AOK Good Deeds with Good Eats in the months to come. Nominate anyone who lives or works in Lynn Valley here. 

It’s fitting that Bragg, our last Good Neighbour is our first nominator for AOK, wants to share how Rosemary Tapp makes her days better. 

“I stopped to talk to Rosemary Tapp last year for the first time while out for a walk and she was raking leaves in her garden. The next day, and the Christmas season fast approaching, she appeared with the most beautiful wreath that she had made for my front door. From that time on she has brought me beautiful bouquets of flowers from her exquisite garden, to lift my spirits as she knows my love of flowers. She has done many acts of kindness since I stopped by that day last year. Such a kind sweet caring person, she has brightened many a day for me during this very difficult year. She just recently turned up with a care package of comfort food and it just happened to be at a time when I needed a hug.

It is not just me that she does these good things for, she is just one of those generous souls that just makes this a better place to be.” 

Looking for more?

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February 6, 2025 in Blog, Contests Comments (0)

Photo session

Lynn Valley’s iconic mountain bike trails have become the in-the-wild studio of North Shore photographer Lukáš Janko. The avid mountain biker has been working on a series of self-portraits.

Self control

Czech-born Janko was lured to the North Shore mountains by the promise of snowboarding. He soon incorporated another interest into his days on the slopes: photography. To amp up the challenge, he didn’t spend his time in the terrain park watching others; instead, he developed a technique for self-portraits. 

“I started with snowboard tricks,” said Janko. “I would practice the trick, then set up the composition of the photo with a wireless remote in my hand. It’s tough to get a nice photo by freezing a fraction of a moment. Something small like the body or arm position might not be right. It can take a lot of tries to get satisfied to match the image I have in my head.”

Thinking back, Janko ties his interest in art to his father’s side of the family and his grandfather, who also did photography. The long-held interest helped him build a portfolio of both action and art photography. Continuing to push his skills and achieve his artistic vision he level-uped his skills after building an enduro biking changing how he explored and interacted with the trails. 

“I actually had never experienced mountain biking when I moved here but there is only snow a few months of the year so I was looking for something else,” he said. “After the winter I borrowed a friend’s bike to fill the space between snowboarding season and for exploring.”

Like any true biker, Janko fell in love with his second-hand bikes. As he shares his story, he recalls the smallest details of those early rides and the all-too-common experience of how bike theft affected his early days, stalling his riding for several years. 

Flash forward

Capturing the atmospheric trails of the North Shore in the context of self-portrait photography has led to an obsession. In just over three years, Janko rode 570 days – most with the goal of photography. It’s remarkable given that a crash last summer required surgery and cut his season short.

A single image can take hours.

“You can return to the same sport over and over – there is no limit because the weather conditions and light may never happen again,” he said. “Next time it will be a different creative opportunity – unlimited possibilities.”

The process is exact – syncing impressive athletic feats with artistic precision. Janko must set up his equipment, assess the ride for safety, hike the bike up, find a comfortable – and safe – position for his remote and then ride the line while clicking the remote at the perfect time. There are opportunities for failure in every step. The light might simply change. 

“It makes me stop and look around at the trails – to slow down and see possibilities,” he said. “It’s important that I make a photo that matches my vision. I will come back again and again – hundreds of tries until I am satisfied. Then I think I have a good photo from the camera screen and I look on the big screen [his computer] and I am not satisfied. I will go back. I am willing to put in all day for a photo.”

Other times, he must move quickly knowing there is a moment or two of special light to capture sun stars through the trees. A true adoptee of his new home Janko, prefers to ride and photograph in grey skies and in the rain – enduring the risk of the remote on wet handlebars for the ability to freeze rain with a flash. 

You may have encountered him at Mt. Fromme selling his work to fellow riders. The drive for perfection has led to an impressive catalogue of images that led him to publish his first calendar for 2025 which he sold at End of the Line and Lynn Valley Bikes and biker to biker to overcome the Canada Post strike. His work can be seen on a large scale in the windows of North Shore Bike Shop. Janko also offers a variety of photoshoot services including capturing local riders and visitors in their mountain bike photos. His work will be on display and for sale on his website.  

“With video becoming increasingly popular, I still believe in the magic of photography to capture a single perfect moment.”

All images are courtesy of Lukas Janko.

Looking for more?

There’s always something fun and exciting happening in Lynn Valley. Check out our Community Events Calendar or learn more about Local Activities, Mountain Biking or Hiking and Walking Trails.

February 4, 2025 in Artistic Endeavours, Blog, Eco-Awareness & The Great Outdoors Comments (0)

Concerns over turf territory

In the years ahead, Kilmer Park will be getting a facelift. The gravel southern section will be replaced with all-weather turf. The long-term plan has Lynn Valley Little League excited about the opportunities for its young players but it is raising concern that a soccer-focused field is taking shape. (UPDATE: A council meeting on Jan. 27 moved the project off the five-year capital plan, and as such the DNV did not respond to questions.)

Goodbye gravel

The District of North Vancouver has been consulting with user groups over its plans to upgrade the fields at local parks. At the start of the dialogue, Lynn Valley Little League was excited to hear the plan to replace the gravel portion of Kilmer Park with artificial turf. However, in recent months the conversation has quieted. 

“Communication was good up to a point until we received a draft of the design that seemed a bit more soccer-oriented,” said Eric Benson, president of Lynn Valley Little League. ”Initially, it was described as a multisport upgrade. We recognize the need for more facilities for young people to play sports on the North Shore and we are excited to have the gravel upgraded but not at the expense of our baseball community.”

The league is concerned that without lines and field markings on the turf, it will be harder for its young six- and seven-year-old players, who use that portion of the park, to learn the game. The typical hand-lining used on grass and gravel won’t be an option on the turf. 

“We have tee ballers and single A up on the gravel, we have double and triple A up on the grass. That is six fields going at the same time – 12 sets of families,” said Brett Halicki, coordinator for the majors’ division.

At this juncture of the project, the league understands the fields will remain baseball fields for April to August but feels that investments in soccer-centred field design is a concerning precedent leaving out other sports from a ‘multisport’ design. 

“It’s an envious spot on the North Shore, we are lucky to have such a great facility,” said Benson. “When there was a proposal to make it turf and multisport we were excited. Soccer isn’t the primary sport there for much of the year.”

As a large infrastructure project for the district, the league is advocating for safety, long-term use and access for multiple user groups.  

“When we asked if there would be backstops and dugouts kitty-corner to the existing ones, it was met with a no,” said Benson. “If we are investing this much in a multisport facility it would be nice to include baseball in that because it’s important for young kids to have a safe place to sit and be coached away from the crowd and protected from gameplay.”

Halicki said they are excellent – local – examples of turf fields designed for use by both soccer and baseball, like the facilities at UBC. DNV staff responded that such configurations would be confusing for soccer players. 

“After seeing the initial drawings, we discussed it as a board. Bolder lines and maybe a lighter shade for the in-field,” said Benson. “It, apparently, was discussed on their end but brought back that it would be too confusing for soccer, but how won’t it be confusing for baseball if it’s not incorporated at all?” 

It’s an argument Halicki thinks is illogical. Using the example of an indoor gymnasium with lines and coloured zones for five or more sports being used by athletes of all ages.  

“We want to make sure we aren’t forgotten,” he said.”We don’t understand the argument that it’s confusing for the athletes. It doesn’t hold water in the context of a gymnasium. I don’t understand why the District wouldn’t want to support multiple sports – whether it’s baseball, field hockey or soccer. UBC has just done a soccer and baseball hybrid and I don’t think they should be concerned about a brown spot showing where the plate is and where the mound is.” 

Community centred

Kilmer Park offers a unique sporting opportunity in the Lower Mainland. The large space allows for all ages (four to 12-year-olds) of the league to cheer each other on and mentor players. 

Brett Halicki, back row, second from left.

“It’s used extensively, Monday through Sunday with hundreds of kids playing,” said Benson.”Our concession is busy with parents, grandparents and passersby who stop and enjoy immersing themselves in a bit of baseball culture.” 

“Kilmer Park is a special place,” added Halicki. “There are not many places where we can have a whole league together. Our smallest kids can watch the 10-year-olds play and they can see their older brothers or sisters go at it. It’s such a great atmosphere.”

The league launched a petition to engage the public and raise the profile of the baseball community. 

“We are hoping to create awareness and bring some insight to the decision makers that might not know how important baseball is to the Lynn Valley community,” said Benson.” We are aware of the need for all-weather fields for multisport use but don’t want it lost that baseball uses these fields from April to August. We are a strong baseball community and we have been for a long time.”

The public can see and sign the petition here or contact the DNV to voice support for baseball at Kilmer Park.

Looking for more?

There’s always something fun and exciting happening in Lynn Valley. Check out our Community Events Calendar or learn more about Local Activities, Mountain Biking or Hiking and Walking Trails.

February 4, 2025 in Blog, Development and Town Planning, Neighbourhood News, Uncategorized Comments (0)