Local residents test their strength, climbing and balance skills on the new stations at the Windermere Community Fitness Park located at Lillooet and East 27th Avenue. Photos courtesy of Julie Cheng
When Brad White retired in 2021 as the Windermere physical and health education department head, his dream was to leave a legacy of fitness and health for the community. It was the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, and opportunities for indoor exercise were limited.
“I believe that creating an outdoor fitness park at the edge of the school campus that is easily accessible to everyone will be a valuable community asset,” he wrote in the March 2021 issue of the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News.
“Everyone in the community, from students who are missing their school clubs and sports, to seniors who are having to forego their usual group exercise sessions, will be able to visit a dedicated outdoor fitness facility.”
Now Brad White’s dream has come true. With the support of the Windermere Parent Advisory Council and donations from local residents and businesses to funders from all levels of government, the Windermere Community Fitness Park was opened in August 2022. It’s located at Lillooet and East 27th Avenue on the grounds of Windermere high school.
Local residents are invited to enjoy the exercise apparatus of the Windermere Community Fitness Park outside of school hours.
The fitness park is designed to fit 30 students during class hours. Outside of school hours, all residents are invited to make use of it in the fresh outdoors. Best of all, it’s free.
Fundraising continues for additional amenities including signage, seating, landscaping and a table tennis court.
It’s a breathtaking view from Hollyburn’s Powerline trail to Vancouver Island. Photos by Julie Cheng
Feeling cooped up with the provincial COVID restrictions and the non-stop Vancouver rain? When I used to be cooped up all day with my young kids, I’d hand them off to my husband at 6 pm and escape by myself for a night ski at Hollyburn Ridge on Cypress Mountain. Often when it was raining down here, it’d be snowing up there.
I don’t mean downhill skiing or snowboarding, but the immersion-with-nature experience of cross-country skiing.
Each winter more than 2.7 million Canadians and 240,000 Vancouverites take to cross-country trails, according to the Canadian Ski Council (Facts + Stats 2017–18).
A winter workout
Cross-country skiing is a great way to stay energized and keep fit while enjoying the outdoors.
It’s a whole-body winter sport that improves circulation, strengthens the immune system, detoxifies the body and relieves stress. I find the combination of exercise and fresh air gives me a good night’s sleep. Best of all, cross-country skiing is easy on the knees and joints.
Sport for all ages
Cross-country skiing is an easy way for beginners to enjoy snow sports.
The whole family can enjoy cross-country skiing.
My youngest was three when she started. We’d head to Hollyburn Lodge for a hot chocolate and vegetarian chili to warm up. Just remember to bundle up with layers and keep everyone’s hands and feet warm and dry.
Enthusiasts pull their toddlers in a special sled and get a great workout at the same time. Many older skiers who fly by me are in terrific shape for their age.
It’s easy to start learning with classic cross-country skis – just think walking/gliding on skis in groomed tracks. Once you become more advanced, you may want try skate skiing, which can be an even better cardio workout.
Nature’s magic
The quiet swish of skis over snow is one of the great joys of winter. It’s peaceful and rejuvenating to wind along mountain trails and breathe in the fresh forest air. The scenery can be breathtaking.
I always end my ski on Cypress by going down the Powerline trail where, on a clear day, you can see all the way to Vancouver Island.
One afternoon, the clouds lifted and the sun peaked out, revealing Nanaimo in the distance. The sun glowed red then disappeared over the horizon. It was magical.
As I drove down the mountain, I slipped below the clouds and back into the dreary city. But I wasn’t feeling cooped up anymore.
Local cross-country ski trails are found on Hollyburn Ridge’s nordic area on Cypress Mountain – a 40-minute drive from Vancouver. There are 19 kilometres of trails for beginner to expert skiiers, including 7.5 km of trails lit for night skiing. If you want to get away from the crowds, especially during these COVID times, ski to the top. The initial uphill burn on your lungs and legs will be worth the effort when you catch all the trails going downhill the rest of the way.These days you need to purchase tickets and ski rentals online and wear a mask on site. Visit cypressmountain.com/cross-country-skiing.
For most people in Vancouver, B.C. Day is the unofficial start of summer.
And for many, it also means it is time to think about going camping.
Camping in one of the many forest parks in B.C. is a long-time summer tradition enjoyed by both old and young.
But camping does require some knowledge, so if you are new to it, you should learn as much as you can about it before you attempt it.
A good start is the B.C. government, which has (free) information on camping in leaflets, small books and pamphlets, and online. Many books on camping in B.C. also exist.
Unless they are very experienced, most local families go to campgrounds where everything – such as campsites, toilets and other needs – are provided for a small cost.
But it is best to check, because many are filled quickly.
With almost all camping, you must bring much of your own equipment with you. You will need a tent, sleeping bags, a comfortable ground cover like a sheet of foam or plastic, a camp stove, food, eating utensils like plates, knives and forks, perhaps something to cut wood for a fire (where allowed), and some warm clothes because the woods can be chilly at night.
Many official campsites supply water, but it is a good idea to bring your own if you can.
When camping, a popular pastime is swimming in nearby lakes or streams if they are available. So bring some swimsuits and towels.
Reading level 2 (**)
You need some knowledge to enjoy one of the many campgrounds.
The B.C. government has much material in different languages to help you understand what you must do and bring when being in the forest.
Understand that you will have to bring your own food, water, bedding, a tent, and clothing that is comfortable in the heat of the day and cool of the night.
First published in the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News August 2019.
Renfrew-Collingwood Community News 