F R I DAY, M AY 2 9 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
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Metis herbalist and educator Lori Snyder leads a class of SFU students at Everett Crowley Park Wednesday. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET
Initiative moves classroom outside Kathleen Saylors
kathleen.saylors@gmail.com
A faint summer breeze, warm summer sun and rustling trees — while together they evoke an enjoyable walk, what if they could also be experienced in a classroom? That’s precisely what students from Simon Fraser University are hoping to achieve, in conjunction with CityStudio and the park board. CityStudio is an initiative launched by the city that brings together staff, students and community members to bring ideas to life. As part of a joint initiative, Everett Crowley Park is home to a new project that brings the classroom outside. The Outdoor Learning Project was organized and created to get people out and about in parks, for more than just a stroll. David Yule, park steward at
Everett Crowley, said the project is part of a long-term goal to get people to interact more with the vast green space. “My biggest goal is to get more people involved in the park and have it more widely known than it is now,” he said. Originally known as the Kerr Road Dump, it was a closed landfill for 25 years before its official opening as a park in 1987. Twenty students from SFU signed up for the full-time course, which runs now through June 27. During that time, students learn outside in the park and create “learning experiments” to help users immerse themselves more fully in the environment of the park, said course instructor Lena Soots. “I’m always blown away at what students come up with, better than any ideas that I could come up with myself,” Soots said.
Soots, who is also program manager at CityStudio, said the course is part of an interdisciplinary program at SFU called Semester in Dialogue. The course is composed of students from across various disciplines, including design, geography and communications. “A lot of the students are looking for something a little different in their university education. They are tired of sitting in lecture halls and writing papers and they want something hands-on,” she said. “In this kind of course they learn about their city in a much deeper and more engaged way.” Yule said the project will benefit the ecosystem of the park, in addition to the people in the community who will get increased usage from the space. “As we make the park more attractive to more users, it’s helping the ecosystem of the park. That is
what I am most excited about,” Yule said, citing the increased need to control invasive species as part of revitalizing the park. While the course only runs seven weeks, it’s part of the larger Outdoor Learning Project. There are discussions underway to see if another batch of architecture students can continue and even implement some of the installations created by this summer’s participants. Janet Moore, director of the Semester in Dialogue program and co-director of CityStudio, said the program is beneficial to the moods and stress levels of the students taking the course. “By the end of the first week the students were feeling more connected to nature and noticing changes in how they were feeling — emotionally and physically,” Moore said via email. @KathleenSaylors
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THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, M AY 2 9 , 2 0 1 5
Main Street to Gastown:
Some popular outdoor spaces more hidden than others Sandra Thomas
sthomas@vancourier.com
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While most locals, and many visitors, are familiar with the popular patio scenes found across the city’s West Side and downtown, such as at the Wine Bar, Joe Fortes and Reflections at Hotel Georgia, there are plenty of gems to discover, some more hidden than others, east of Ontario Street. And while you won’t have to pack a lunch to cross this city’s great divide, transit is advised because you won’t want to drive after checking out the signature cocktails and craft beer served up in these outdoor spaces.
Main Street
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Narrow Lounge We’re guessing Main Streeters won’t be happy this tiny oasis is being outed, but the patio at Narrow is worth checking out. Located: Corner of Main Street at East Third Avenue, look for the red light. Contact: 778-737-5206, narrowlounge.com. Caffé Barney Located near the Broadway/Main Street intersection, this tiny patio offers a bird’s eye view of all that is Mount Pleasant. Located: 2526 Main St. Contact: 604-568-0426. The Reef With happy hour specials featuring $4.25 rum punch and $4 jerk poutine, there’s a reason the patio of this popular Caribbean restaurant is always packed. Located: 4172 Main St. Contact: 604-874-JERK (5375), thereefrestaurant.com.
Eight 1/2 Restaurant Lounge This tiny eatery, with an even tinier patio, is half a block west of Main Street on East Eighth Avenue and specializes in fresh local ingredients, so if you’re looking for a deep fryer or microwave you’re out of luck. Located: 151 East Eighth Ave. Contact: 604-568-2703, eightandahalf.ca.
Kensington Cedar Cottage
Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood Pub/ coffee house/liquor store Enjoy a cup of coffee from locally roasted beans or craft beer on this partially enclosed, street corner patio. For the coffee drinkers, there’s parking conveniently located in the back. Located: 3728 Clark Dr. at Kingsway. Contact: 604-876-1411, cedarcottagepub.ca.
River District
Romer’s Burger Bar The River District location of this small local chain has undoubtedly one of the best patios in the city. Watch tug boats move logs along the Mighty Fraser or dog walkers, joggers and others enjoy the pathway that runs along the river as you enjoy one of Romer’s signature burgers and craft beer. Located: 8683 Kerr St. Contact: 604-566-9545, romersburgerbar.com.
The Drive
Falconetti’s East Side Grill Look up, look way up and you’ll spot those in the know imbibing on a sunny, secondfloor patio that faces west and overlooks Commercial Drive. Try the sausage sampler platter with fries. Located: 1812 Commercial Dr. Contact: 604-251-7287, falconettis.com.
The patio at Narrow Lounge on Main Street is a hidden gem, but worth the search. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET
Where History Comes to Life
Summer Camp Fun for Everyone! Weekly themed camps run all summer long. Register today! Thanks to our partners:
6501 Deer Lake Ave | 604-297-4565 | burnabyvillagemuseum.ca
F R I DAY, M AY 2 9 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
Top East Side patios
Caffé Barney on Main Street allows patrons to watch the world go by. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET
Merchant’s Oyster Bar Enjoy $1.50 oysters all night long Wednesdays and Sundays or $5 corkage Mondays when diners are invite to bring their own bottle of wine to accompany the restaurant’s menu. The sunny patio runs alongside the building. Located: 1590 Commercial Dr. Contact: 604-258-0005, merchantsoysterbar.ca. Havana If you’re lucky enough to get a seat on this patio, be prepared for some of the best people-watching in the city. Located: 1212 Commercial Dr. Contact: 604-253-9119, havanarestaurant.ca.
Gastown
Chill Winston This gastro-lounge has a large sunny patio that seems to spill onto Water Street. Check out the small plate menu for sharing and specialty cocktails. Located: 3 Alexander St. Contact: 604-288-9575, chillwinston.com. The Charles Bar This sunny patio, combined with a great happy hour menu, acts as a de facto backyard to the many residents of the neighbourhood with no outside space to call their own. Located: In the Woodward’s Building, 136 West Cordova St. Contact: 604-568-8040, thecharlesbar.ca.
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THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, M AY 2 9 , 2 0 1 5