Tag Archives: East Van Garden Tour

East Van Garden Tour Returns June 18, 2023

1 May

If you love gardening and are looking to get inspired by checking out the creative projects gardeners have undertaken in East Van, you will want to grab your ticket(s) for the upcoming East Van Garden Tour. This is a self-guided tour that happens Sunday, June 18th between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. This is a great way to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon.

The East Van Garden Tour is a fundraiser for the volunteer group Britannia Neighbours. All proceeds from ticket sales go towards maintaining the Napier Square Greenway at Napier & Commercial Drive. Once you’ve secured your spot for the garden tour, show up on June 18th at Figaro’s Garden Centre the morning of the event and obtain your map. After that you head off to tour the gardens map in hand at your leisure until 4:00 pm. Stop for coffee before, during or after and go at your own pace.

To purchase tickets, you have 3 options:

  1. Online through Eventbrite;
  2. Drop in at Figaro’s Garden Centre, 1896 Victoria Drive (at 3rd Avenue) cash only purchase;
  3. Call Britannia Community Services Centre, 1661 Napier Street, in person or by phone 604-718-5800.

Tickets are $20 each.  Note: People who attend the tour will also get a one-time discount 15% discount at at Figaro’s Garden Centre starting on the day of the tour until July 1st. This is a very walkable tour, but it is not wheelchair accessible and pets are not allowed. This event does sell out thus if interested, we do recommend purchasing tickets in advance.

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The Napier Greenway: The City of Vancouver is Renaming Without Consultation

3 Jul

So, every once in a while, we happen across things that make us shake our heads. What we are about to share is one of those things.  For the last few years we have featured the East Van Garden Tour, which is a fundraiser for Britannia Neighbours who do an amazing job of beautifying and maintaining what we all know as the Napier Greenway. For those who don’t know it, this space is located off Commercial Drive at the entrance to Britannia Community Centre.  This is a great community space created in 2001 by the City and Britannia Neighbours (a group of community volunteers), under the City’s Green Streets Program and which has been lovingly tended to by Britannia Neighbours for the last 18 years.   We have to say we were rather surprised when we stumbled across a letter from Britannia Neighbours to the City of Vancouver about the renaming of this space to Margaret Mitchell Plaza.

For those who may not know the name, Margaret Mitchell was a Vancouver resident, social worker, and activist who was elected to the House of Commons four times to serve the riding of Vancouver East. She was the longest serving female MP when she left in 1993 after 14 years in which she boldly advanced women’s rights.  This is without a doubt someone who is worthy of recognition.

Now, getting back to the Napier Greenway, Britannia Neighbours is a group of local volunteers who started working with the City of Vancouver in 2000 to create the Napier Greenway and has, since its completion in 2001, maintained it.  They have weekly work parties, they rake and weed and prune and plant new plants and move old ones, they clean up graffiti on benches, and do other repairs as needed. They also hire someone from the nearby Kettle Friendship Society to pick up litter daily and hire someone else to water all summer.   This greenway is a gathering space that regularly hosts free community events such as Artful Sundays, the Stone Soup Festival, and activities during Car Free Day and Italian Day.  The Napier Greenway was created and is regularly invigorated by the community that surrounds and cares for it.  With no disrespect to Margaret Mitchell, the renaming of it dismisses and disrespects the hard work this community and its volunteers have put and continue to put into this space.NapierGreenway7

We have learned that there is actually a Naming Committee at the City of Vancouver which makes recommendations about places that need new names; the previous Council, however, made this decision without consulting either Britannia Neighbours or its own Naming Committee. During an in-camera meeting, the previous Council agreed, by a majority vote, without any consultation whatsoever, to rename the Napier Greenway Margaret Mitchell Plaza. The initiative for the new name we understand was led by then Vision Councillor, Andrea Reimer. The ‘without consultation’ is the part that really gets under our skin whether this issue or others that affect the communities they represent. Elected officials serve residents of the City, that includes ALL of us, those that may not have such a public face, but serve their communities tirelessly and don’t get the public recognition they deserve.

The Napier Greenway is a space residents and volunteers are proud of and we feel they have the right to maintain the name.

Margaret Mitchell was a tireless advocate for some of the poorest areas in Vancouver, so we think it is fitting that Vancouver’s second temporary modular housing facility at 2132 Ash Street was named Margaret Mitchell Place. This space creates housing for 52 members, teaches life skills, has health teams and support, and employment programs, as well as a community garden.  We think this new housing facility is a fitting tribute to Margaret Mitchell and is reflective of the work she undertook. The Napier Greenway was created and has been maintained for 18 years by Britannia Neighbours, who may be nameless and faceless, but who are worthy of recognition. All they wish to do is retain the name they created for this community gathering space, Napier Greenway.  We hope the current City Council rights this wrong.

 

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East Van Garden Tour June 16th

3 Jun

 

If you love gardening, or want to learn more, or maybe just get some great ideas for yours, you will want to grab your ticket(s) for the upcoming East Van Garden Tour. This is a self-guided tour that happens Sunday, June 16th between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.  It’s a great opportunity to see what creative projects people have undertaken in their gardens. Many of the owners are available to chat as well and answer questions. Whether you have a home, patio garden or a community garden, The East Van Garden Tour is a great source of inspiration and ideas.  To participate, purchase your tickets in advance.  Show up on June 16th at Figaro’s Garden Centre the morning of the event and obtain your map. After that you head off to tour the gardens map in hand until 4:00 pm. Stop for coffee before, during or after and go at your own pace. It’s a great way to spend a few hours.

To purchase tickets, you have 3 options: 1) Online through Eventbrite, 2) Call Figaro’s Garden Centre, 1896 Victoria Drive (at 3rd Avenue) or 3) Call Britannia Community Services Centre, 1661 Napier Street, in person or by phone 604-718-5800. Tickets are $15 each.  Note: People who attend the tour will also get a one-time discount 20% discount at at Figaro’s starting on the day of the tour until July 1st. This is a very walkable tour, but it is not wheelchair accessible and pets are not allowed. 

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East Van Garden Tour Sunday, June 17th

30 May

If you love gardens, whether looking at them or working in them, you may wish to check out the upcoming East Van Garden Tour.  This is a self-guided tour that happens Sunday, June 17th. It’s a great opportunity to see what creative projects people have undertaken in their gardens and peak not just over the fence, but on the other side to see how people have used their garden space. Whether you have a home, patio garden or a community garden, The East Van Garden Tour is a great source of inspiration and ideas. If you haven’t participated in this event, previously, you purchase your tickets in advance. Then show up on June 17th at Figaro’s Garden Centre to obtain your map sometime after 10:00 a.m. After which you head off to tour the gardens until 4:00 pm. To purchase tickets in advance, visit Eventbrite, call Figaro’s Garden Centre, 1896 Victoria Drive or contact the Britannia Community Services Centre, 1661 Napier Street, in person or by phone 604-718-5800. Tickets are $15 each.  The tour is popular and has sold out in previous years, so we recommend that you get your tickets in advance.  People who attend the tour will also get a one-time discount to shop at Figaro’s starting on the day of the tour. Note: This is a very walkable tour, but it is not wheelchair accessible and pets are not allowed. To learn more who is behind the tours, visit Britannia Neighbours.

 

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What’s On East Van: June 16, 2017

16 Jun

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Lots happening in East Van this next week.  Our weekly feature What’s On East Van sets out cool events for the upcoming week. Beyond the week, we invite you to check out our Event Listing which is updated daily and features events for the month and beyond.

Italian Market – June 16, 2017

The outdoor Italian Market is back at the Italian Cultural Centre Friday, June 16th. This market is situated in the parking lot of the Italian Cultural Centre and has a great mix of vendors which include food, artisans and bits of Italian flavour sprinkled throughout.  Food trucks are always on hand and we’d be very surprised if you didn’t find some pizza and cannoli. Market happens from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Perfect stop after work for a shop, bite and if you want to move, dance! See below for more.

Tango Lessons – June 16, 2017

Have you ever wanted to learn to tango? You are in luck. The Italian Cultural Centre is now hosting drop-in classes every Friday until July 28th at 6:00 pm in the piazza at the Italian Cultural Centre.  Cost is $20 for each drop in session and class runs till 7:30 pm. To register, visit Il Centro.

Farmers Market  – June 17 & 18, 2017

This weekend, you have the opportunity to check out 3 farmer markets. First up, is the largest hosted by Vancouver Farmers Market at Trout Lake from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 17th. Also on Saturday, you will find River District Farmers Market on the Fraser River in SE Vancouver just below SE Marine Drive at Kerr Street from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Sunday, June 18th , Vancouver Farmers Market hosts the Mount Pleasant Market from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Great Grandview Garage Sale – June 17, 2017

The Great Grandview Garage Sale is a multi-family garage sale that happens in the Grandview-Woodlands area. To find a map of the locations, visit Great Grandview Garage Sale. The event happens rain or shine 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Saturday, June 17th.

Car Free Day Main Street – June 18, 2017

Car Free Day happens this Sunday, June 18th on Main Street from Noon to 7:00 pm. This is an all day event in which car traffic is blocked between Broadway and 30th Avenue.  There are a host of activities for all ages. Getting there by transit, bike or foot is recommended. To learn more about what events are happening, we invite you to check out Car Free Day Main Street. Note, this year Commercial Drive will not be hosting their Car Free Day on the same day. They have elected to host it on Sunday, July 9th.

East Van Garden Tour – June 18, 2017

If you wish to tour some of the beautiful gardens in East Vancouver, this self-guided tour happens this Sunday and it’s a great way to see how others use their outdoor space. You can do the tour at your own pace and see as much or as little as you’d like. Tickets for the East Van Garden Tour are a very reasonable $15 and are available at Britannia Community and Figaro’s Garden Centre on Victoria Drive.

Gourmet Ice Cream Tour – June 18, 2017

Off The Eaten Track regularly has a great line up of foodie tours around the City. We’ve learnt their Gourmet Ice Cream Tour is now back for the summer months. A tour runs this Sunday, June 18th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Cost is $29.99. If you can’t make it Sunday, tour also runs Thursdays from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Eat.Drink. Play. – June 22, 2017

Eat.Drink.Play. is a fundraiser for the Firehall Arts Centre and brings together local food purveyors, distillers of craft beer and spirits and art as well as a silent auction. Tickets are $35 plus $20 for artists. For tickets, visit the Firehall Arts Centre.

The Rio Theatre’s Vinyl Cafe: A Tribute to Stuart Mclean – June 22, 2017

The Rio Theatre plays host to a night of  story telling and live music in honour of the late, CBC host, Stuart Mclean. In honour of his legacy as a great Canadian story teller, they have invited some of their favorite local story tellers and musicians to come together to perform original work and celebrate the art of story telling. Tickets are $17 in advance or $20 at the door. For more info and tickets, visit the Rio Theatre.

Entertainment: Arts, Theatre, Comedy & Live Music

If you are looking for live music, Tangent Café has The Meghan Gilhesphy Trio on Sunday, June 18th from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. If it’s a Latin groove you are looking for, Café Deux Soleils is playing host to Wasakaka on Friday, June 16th.  If it’s Trivia your after, Tuesday night is the night.  The Eastwood at 4245 Fraser Street hosts a Trivia Night, as does The Storm Crow Tavern on Tuesdays, but the name gives it away – Nerdin’ Trivia Tuesday. On the other hand, if you love to sing, you may wish check out the Impromptu Rock Choir which checks in every Tuesday night at 7:00 pm at the Wise Hall.

NOTE:  Image Credit: June Hunter

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East Van Garden Tour Sunday June 18th

26 May

EVGardenTour3There will be lots of great events happening in East Van this summer. One of them is the East Van Garden Tour which takes place on Sunday, June 18th. This is a self-guided tour which you can do at your leisure and see as much or as little as you’d like. It is great opportunity to see other people’s gardens and what’s behind the fence and the creative way in which people use the space they have. Whether you have a home, patio garden or a community garden, The East Van Garden Tour is a great source of inspiration and ideas. If you haven’t participated in this event, previously, you purchase your tickets in advance. On June 18th, you show up at Figaro’s Garden Centre to obtain your map from 10:00 am onwards after which you head off to tour the gardens until 4:00 pm.  If you are interested in purchasing tickets, there are a few ways to do so, including Eventbrite,  Figaro’s Garden Centre, 1896 Victoria Drive or by contacting the Britannia Community Services Centre, 1661 Napier Street, in person or by phone 604-718-5800. Tickets are $15 each.  The tour is popular and has sold out in previous years, so we recommend that you get your tickets in advance.  People who attend the tour will also get a one-time 20% discount at Figaro’s starting on the day of the tour through to July 1st (Canada Day). Note: This is a very walkable tour, but it is not wheelchair accessible and pets are not allowed.

 

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East Vancouver Garden Tour Sunday June 21st

19 Jun

EVGardenTour6Well there will certainly be no lack of things to do in East Van this Sunday. There will be Car Free Day on Commercial Drive and Main Street, Community Day at the York Theatre, the Vancouver Farmers Market in Mount Pleasant and a personal favourite the East Van Garden Tour.  We had the pleasure of taking this tour last year through Strathcona along with some torrential weather, but that didn’t deter us.  It was wonderful to see what people were doing with their gardens.  Whether you have a home, patio garden or community garden, the East Van Garden Tour is a great source of inspiration and ideas.

This year, the East Van Garden Tour will focus on the area just west of Commercial Drive between Commercial Drive and Clark Drive.  If you haven’t participated in this event previously, it really is something to see. First up purchase your ticket(s) at Figaro’s Garden Centre, 1896 Victoria Drive or by contacting the Britannia Community Services Centre, 1661 Napier Street, in person or by phone 604-718-5800. Tickets are $12 each.  On the day of the event, show up at Figaro’s Garden Centre to check in, pick up your tour map from 10:00 am onwards and then head off to the gardens.  The tour is popular and has sold out in previous years, so we recommend that you get your tickets in advance.  People who attend the tour will also get a one-time 20% discount at Figaro’s starting on the day of the tour through to July 1st (Canada Day).  Note: This is a very walkable tour, but it is not wheelchair accessible and pets are not allowed.

We have included a few photos from last year’s East Van Garden Tour which include a slight detour to the community gardens in Strathcona which is a real treat and a great spot for a picnic. A highly recommended detour.

Photo Credit: Barbara Borchardt

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