Comments on: Crabtown

By: Chris Au

Chris Au — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 20:23:57 +0000

Where exactly is the “plaque”? I’m trying to figure out where Crabtown actually was; east of IWMB and west of the “white beach” [Confederation Park Beach?] puts it roughly in Montrose Park just north of N Gilmore Ave. Is that correct?

By: Skip Savage

Skip Savage — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 02:53:51 +0000

In reply to James RWH Hourston.

The squatter shacks came down for many reasons, but one to know about was the midcentury trend known as “slum clearance”. Many cities had programs to demolish ghettos, tenements and flophouses to make room for urban highways and new development.

Great article, Eve and interesting about Dan Francis.

My grandparents squatted in North Vancouver at the foot of Forbes Ave until about 1964. They also owned a place in the Gulf Islands and had a marine engineering business, so they live on the cheap in a shack by choice. Very nice waterfront location as well, now occupied by BCIT.

By: Terri Roberton

Terri Roberton — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 15:59:34 +0000

Not sure anyone maintAins it anymore but the south of E. First from just east of Lonsdale all the way to the big sloping road (there is a wild trail to a creek then through the sour end of a park honouring mills and wood people). My dad, Val Roberton maintained that trail for 30 years w/ his neighbour, Osmo.

By: Timia Bond

Timia Bond — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 15:38:49 +0000

In reply to Eve Lazarus. Agreed.

By: Timia Bond

Timia Bond — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 15:38:10 +0000

In reply to James RWH Hourston. I think they are just enterprising in different ways. I’m sure I wouldn’t last five minutes.

By: Doug Alder

Doug Alder — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 08:00:16 +0000

In reply to Eve Lazarus. Yup - it was a great time to be a kid.

By: James RWH Hourston

James RWH Hourston — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 19:02:38 +0000

The whitewashing of any culture by out “father knows best” govt saddens me . Were they an impediment to marine traffic? No probably just the fact no taxes were paid was their downfall. I must say the homeless were much more enterprising then than todays lot.

By: Doug Alder

Doug Alder — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 18:46:14 +0000

I grew up in South Van in the 50’s (Columba and Marine Dr.) I remember Finns Slough very well – we used o ride our bikes over the old Fraser River swing bridge and ride all over Sea Island and Lulu Island.

By: Angus McIntyre

Angus McIntyre — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 18:30:41 +0000

A rewarding walk is Harbourview Park, and here is the link for it:

http://findfamilyfun.com/harbourview.htm

This affords a closeup look at various industries along Lynn Creek, and at the end of the trail there is a lookout tower with a terrific panoramic view of the harbour and mountains. You get a really good look at freighters being loaded. Lots of dog walkers go here. You could also park at Bridgman Park, walk south on the trail along the west side of Lynn Creek and cross over at the Main Street Bridge to the continuation of the trail on the east side.

A wonderful and more challenging walk is Klootchman Park in West Vancouver:

http://findfamilyfun.com/klootchman.htm

I would hesitate to take Pickles there. The narrow lane roads in the immediate neighbourhood are worth exploring.

By: Doug Parks

Doug Parks — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 14:28:02 +0000

I had already decided that I would ask for a picture of a Chiweenie. Thanks for including one, she is very adorable. We have walked our Pomchi from the Barnet Marine Park towards the Iron Workers bridge. ( I do not approve of changing names of public property but second narrows wasnt really a name)
I know we either ran out of energy or perhaps trail but we got as far as the Capital Hill . Its getting harder and harder to walk anywhere interesting these days. While the seawall or Ambelside to Dundarave are fun some of the less developed walks can be worth while