Crab Park or Trout Lake: Where should Vancouver's love lock monstrosity go?

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      The Vancouver park board has decided the city needs an official site for love locks, but it isn't sure where to put it.

      WTF is a love lock? I'll let Guardian art critic Jonathan Jones answer that question:

      Love locks are visually repulsive. They are barnacles that accumulate in a mass of decaying metal. It is sad that the idea of love should be reduced to a copycat custom that turns tourists into dull clones. As a token of love, a padlock is about as personal as a rude Valentine’s card bought from a shop. But what makes the fad inexcusable is its magnetic attraction to some of the most beautiful cityscapes on Earth. 

      For the romantics among you, the City of Vancouver offers this alternative definition:

      Love locks are padlocks that romantic partners have traditionally locked to a bridge, gate, or similar public fixture to show their love. Names or initials are typically inscribed on the padlock, and its key is thrown away to symbolize an unbreakable bond.

      In any case, the park board is asking for your help in identifying the future site of a love lock installation to be created by a local artist.

      Sure, it's not as exciting as the city bird election, but the online survey is worth a look if you love or hate the idea.

      Stanley Park is too good for love locks.

      There are 13 nominated locations:

      • Crab Park
      • Creekside Park
      • Elm Park
      • English Bay Beach Park
      • John Hendry (Trout Lake) Park
      • Jonathon Rogers Park
      • Kitsilano Beach Park
      • Memorial West Park
      • New Brighton Park
      • Queen Elizabeth Park
      • Riverfront Park
      • Robson Park
      • Vanier Park

      However, you can also suggest a park not in the list (which doesn't include the Burrard Bridge, where love locks have been removed by city workers).

      The survey is open until September 16. Vote now or forever hold your peace.

      Comments

      14 Comments

      RBM

      Aug 24, 2015 at 6:11pm

      Vanier. It would be worth it just to watch the Kits nimby crowd go batsh*t insane.

      Cupid's dying wish

      Aug 24, 2015 at 6:36pm

      Surrey. Please.

      Tommy Riglar

      Aug 24, 2015 at 8:18pm

      In Gregor's front yard
      - along with all the loose dog pooh collected each and every day !

      ?

      Aug 24, 2015 at 8:32pm

      How about Gregor's fence??? Just what we need in this town - more garbage.

      Well...

      Aug 24, 2015 at 9:12pm

      What an utterly disgusting idea. Who comes up with this garbage?

      Silver Lining

      Aug 24, 2015 at 9:25pm

      How about the Vancouver South Transfer Station at 377 W. Kent Ave?

      Mark Bowen

      Aug 24, 2015 at 10:42pm

      Stick the stupid thing in Pigeon Park.

      JellyfishGreen

      Aug 25, 2015 at 2:46am

      I agree the locks do little to enhance the beauty of any park. But on that note -
      If you realize your lover is a dirty cheat, get some bolt cutters. And also for the lock.

      Him Again

      Aug 25, 2015 at 7:41am

      I would be more excited about the love lock idea if it was a spontaneous one that emerged from the community like Dude Chillin Park.

      Government-approved wackiness is not very wacky at all. And not much fun to get excited about.

      Theunis

      Aug 25, 2015 at 7:48am

      Well, I like to reuse junk. Why don't we cut them and melt them and turn it into a sculpture of a big brass lock