“O’ Wind, if Winter comes can Spring be far behind?”

-PB. Shelly

The warm and bright days are coming up again, And to devour this what could be a better way than immersing in the natural beauty of BC. 

BC Parks are common places for outings for the province’s residents because of the parks’ proximity and beauty. One of the main attractions being Stanley Park, which is considered one of the top urban parks in the world. Along with its greenery and trees (cedar, rainforest ecology), it has many vibrant attractions like art and totem structures tracing back to Indigenous roots. It has a wonderful seawall path used by millions of walkers and cyclists a year. The list doesn’t end here, there are many other green- attractions including: Rocky Point Park, Burnaby Lake Regional Park, etc. 

Regardless of who you are or where you’re from, standing at the base of Della Falls, the tallest waterfall in Canada, in Strathcona Park on Vancouver Island just makes you say “wow.” Hiking the Berg Lake Trail to the base of Mount Robson, the highest point in the Canadian Rockies, is an unforgettable experience. Walking on the trails here will make you feel as though you’ve gone back in time as you encounter intimidating peaks, wild waterfalls and glacier-fed lakes. Camping around Berg Lake offers the unique experience of hearing, or even seeing, the nearby Berg Glacier cleave and crack into Berg Lake in the heat of summer.

By providing the key link with nature, the BC Parks helps build a sense of community and belonging. Since the 1980s, the volunteer Ecological Reserve Warden program has provided opportunities to work with BC Parks staff to maintain parks. They are the perfect place for all groups and families to connect and nurture their relationships.

Some of that much needed stillness, peace, and quiet can be found in places like these and so many more. This has been quintessential since the pandemic has hit us hard. And one thing it has definitely taught us all is to be resilient and take care of our mental health. Not only this, the parks preserve the environment, strengthening our communities, and enriching our lives.

As a 2014 article by Sturm and Cohen underlines, there is a direct relationship between mental health and accessibility to parks. Mental health is significantly related to residential distance from parks. Despite their significance, there has been a rapid decline in green belts across BC. 

I want to conclude by pointing out that there is a need for more public parks in and around BC. And as Jules Renard points out “On earth there are no heavens, but there are pieces of it”. I want to leave on a note that reminds us that parks might be our window into nature, but this window is getting smaller. And to protect these marvellous things of nature, now is the time. 

By Pranjali Mann