With the official start of summer only days away, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) took some time to remind the community of park etiquette and hours this week.
“Whistler's community parks offer great outdoor experiences for all ages. Whether enjoying a pleasant stroll along the Valley Trail or a picnic at Rainbow Park, Whistler has something for everyone,” said Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden in a release on Friday, June 12. “In particular, we want to remind both residents and visitors to respect parks hours to ensure all users have a positive, welcoming experience in Whistler.”
Whistler’s 31 community and neighbourhood parks and beaches are open daily from dawn until dusk, with late-night use prohibited due to safety risks and the potential for noise disturbances.
“Whether in the middle of the lake or on a dock, everyone on the water is your neighbour because sound travels remarkably well to surrounding neighbourhoods and residences,” the release states.
The RMOW also reiterated that alcohol consumption is prohibited in public areas, like beaches and lakes, and that RCMP and bylaw officers will be conducting regular patrols of popular gathering areas to enforce liquor regulations, park hours, and also to look out for illegal fires that may put the community at risk.
Dogs are permitted in local parks, but must be leashed unless in a specifically designated off-leash park. Dogs are also not permitted on public beaches, in playgrounds and at water parks.
To protect Whistler’s drinking water supply, the muni also urged hikers to stay on trails in the Rainbow Mountain Wildland Area, including 21 Mile Creek, to pack out what you pack in, avoid creating fires of any kind, use outhouses, and leave bikes and dogs at home.
“Access to the 21 Mile Creek area depends on responsible public use,” the release read.
For more information on Whistler’s parks, visit whistler.ca/summer101.
Whistler Presents Summer Concert Series
The RMOW also unveiled its full slate of performers for this year’s Whistler Summer Presents Summer Concert Series, which features 14 free shows starting on Canada Day and running until mid-September.
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will return to Olympic Plaza for the fourth year in a row this summer to kick off the concert series with performances on July 1, 3 and 4.
The performance series will also feature reggae icon Michael Franti on Aug. 1; Moon vs. Sun, featuring Canadian superstars Raine Maida and Chantal Kreviazuk, on Aug. 22; Blue Rodeo on Aug. 29 and the Great Lake Swimmers on Sept. 5.
Vancouver folk rockers Spirit of the West will also help the RMOW ring in its 40th anniversary on Sept. 6.
For the full lineup, visit whistler.ca/whistlerpresents, or pick up this Thursday’s issue of Pique.
