Park board to vote on giving Queen Elizabeth Park a zipline for its 75th birthday

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      Queen Elizabeth Park may be turning 75 this summer but that doesn’t mean the 52-hectare space has to act the age of a senior.

      On April 27, Vancouver park commissioners are scheduled to discuss building a new zipline through the property located in the Little Mountain area just northeast of Oakridge Centre.

      The proposed zipline would run 190 metres from a launch tower located west of the Bloedel Conservatory to the southwest side of the garden.

      According to a report prepared by the city’s general manager for parks and recreation, customers will be charged between $15 and $20 per ride, which could generate between $75,000 and $400,000 for the park board (dependent on the revenue structure agreed upon with the zipline’s prospective operator, Greenheart International).

      That document does not include the height of the proposed zipline; however, it notes Queen Elizabeth Park already marks the highest point within the City of Vancouver, and so the view from any new zipline tower promises to provide one of the best views in the region.

      The general manager’s report includes an enthusiastic recommendation for the project.

      “Staff recommend this temporary event as it is very low impact, provides an additional activity for visitors to Queen Elizabeth Park, will raise the profile of the park, and provide excellent opportunities to cross market with the Bloedel Conservatory,” it states.

      The zipline is proposed as a temporary pilot project. The park board would collect feedback on the zipline’s operation from the public and report back in the fall of 2015.

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      Comments

      16 Comments

      JamieLee

      Apr 21, 2015 at 10:38am

      This is a horrible idea. Our parks need to remain natural and placing a zip-line through this beautiful area seems very destructive. Our parks should not be about making a profit as they need to remain public and not for private uses. And make no mistake that once this zip-line is approved it will be tendered out to private operators to run.

      uninformed publican

      Apr 21, 2015 at 10:52am

      The economics of this project will only truly work when the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation sell tokes'n shots at the top and bottom of the line.

      Darren T.

      Apr 21, 2015 at 11:15am

      Is this a joke? RIGHT over top of the garden?

      I'm all in favour of providing different kinds of recreation and finding ways to generate revenue, but this is ridiculous. If it went another direction from the top of the hill, over any of the barely-used grassy areas, then sure. But people yelling as they glide over the garden will ruin a great place for a quiet stroll (and yes, even when there are hundreds of tourists, it's a relatively quiet place).

      Concerned Neighbour

      Apr 21, 2015 at 11:59am

      This is a really bad idea and recommendation. I thought this might be a joke but it's not April Fools anymore. QE Park gardens is such a beautiful and tranquil area. The structures for a zipline and the noise have no place in a nice park like QE. Set up the zipline in Playland or something.

      HellSlayerAndy

      Apr 21, 2015 at 12:11pm

      "could generate between $75,000 and $400,000 for the park board"

      None of these so-called professionals would ever get away with crap like this in any business plan they submitted among themselves, so why the contempt for the public?

      "dependent on the revenue structure agreed upon with the zipline’s prospective operator, Greenheart International"
      So if you haven't signed a contract YET? Is it smart to reveal YOUR position???

      "provide excellent opportunities to cross market with the Bloedel Conservatory”
      So folks who look at flowers generally finish the day ziplining do they?

      Another cheap embezzlement scheme where public lands are rented out to insiders to make a fortune and the Parks Board get some pin money and the public is laughed at behind close doors by these grifters.

      ...and about the millions on that bike rental scheme, assholes?

      Makr

      Apr 21, 2015 at 12:42pm

      Yes, that "Natural" Park? Please.

      QE Park isn't natural by any means.

      If anything it would tourists more of a reason to come to the park and to the conservatory. Hell, I used to live two minutes from the park and would probably shell out some money to take a ride.

      ursa minor

      Apr 21, 2015 at 1:43pm

      Zipline @ Queen E Park > Pipeline @ Burnaby Mountain

      Marion

      Apr 21, 2015 at 2:25pm

      All I can think of is obscenities for this. Put a mall, bar, and Mcdonalds in there too. Turn everything into a cheap disneyland. Bloody idiots.

      All for it

      Apr 21, 2015 at 2:31pm

      Can't wait to see brides and grooms start their weddings in the park by ziplining in.

      Great idea

      Apr 21, 2015 at 2:46pm

      I'd love to see another activity in the park.