Experiencing False Creek, British Columbia.
Let's go back in virtual time to learn about impacts of colonization and industrialization on a once ecologically rich site
Collaborative research project by Poh Tan, PhD '08 (Exp. Med), PhD ABD (Educ.) and Mr. Tom Cummins, Director of Exhibits at Science World in collaboration and partnership with Dr. David Zandvliet, Co-director at the Institute for Environmental Learning (IEL).
Journey through False Creek located on traditional Musqueam territory in British Columbia, Canada with a collection of stories on how the area changed over time. Join us to learn about colonial, and industrial impacts on the ecology of the land and how the site was home to First Nations communities.
A Once Ecologically Rich Area
Wes Nahanee, Squamish Nation artist , wood block carving, "False Creek Salmon". Donated to the False Creek Restoration Society. (Reference: Ceclia Bauer, Georgia Straight, 2016 - https://bit.ly/40ksK9U)
False Creek Flats, located in Vancouver, Canada, was originally an estuary where salt and fresh waters mixed, creating a productive ecosystem. It had a riparian vegetation that acted as a buffer for both run-off and tidal waters, and fresh water streams flowed into the area, creating natural water filtration and flushing. However, the introduction of industry, most predominantly the rail industry, altered the natural state of False Creek. This area was filled in during the early 20th century to accommodate the growing demand for rail operations into the city, and its protected water access was appropriated in the 1850s.
First Nations Communities in False Creek
At the time the first settlers arrived to the Burrard Inlet in the late 1850s, False Creek was five times the present size and included a large tidal mud flat. This ecologically rich site was blanketed with thick eelgrass, plentiful clam beds and countless songbirds. Archeological evidence and oral traditions record the First Nations use of the False Creek area for over 3000 years. The cultural traditions of First Nations reflect their unique relationship with the natural environment, one that is based on community, spirituality and stewardship—from harvesting oysters on the shore to collecting Devil’s Club plant to make medicine. While the expression of these cultural traditions has changed as a result of colonization and the subsequent removal and displacement of the First Nations from their traditional lands, today Vancouver has the third highest population of Indigenous residents living in a Canadian urban centre. ~ excerpt from the City Studio and City of Vancouver.
False Creek Route
The route is 2.9km or approximately 3,805 steps and shares overlapping territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh.
Creekside Park
Created in 1979, to provide a safe accessible park for all and to foster collaboration, coordination, and partnerships throughout the community. Creekside park extended towards Science World in 2007 and with the construction of the TD trail, reduced the park area. Historically, the park was an estuarine marshland.
Ecological Layers through the decades
The land and environment around False Creek has changed dramatically over 200-years (1872 - present). Did you know that part of the trail used to be the seafloor? Before 1872, the soil used to be saltwater mudflats.
The Water in False Creek
Standing in under the shade of maple trees just to the South of Science World and looking North towards the skyline on a sunny day give a view of how the waterscape permeates commercial, industrial, and ecological environments. The water quality of False Creek is poor due to prolonged human activity. Surprising items are found in a False Creek clean-up project.
Olympic Village
Olympic village was created in 2010 and uses solar heating and green roofs. Shaped by sustainability values, Macleod's public art, The Birds, symbolizes the community's on highlighting the impacts of introducing non-native species and impacts on biodiversity.
Habitat Island Park
This is an urban sanctuary created with deep layers of soil, boulders, and logs commonly found along the coastlines of British Columbia to provide a home for plants, small animals, birds, insects, and other creatures. The intertidal habitat and naturalized wetlands in Hinge Park, which connects Habitat Island with Olympic Village, were added to increase the biodiversity value of the area.
Habitat Island is a calming place to reconnect to nature. Experience a self-guided water meditation experience created by Melissa Chung while experiencing Habitat Island: https://arcg.is/1DHGrP0
We invite you to immerse in the sounds of False Creek early in the morning. Place your Android or iPhone into a virtual reality (VR) google (if you have one) and experience False Creek as if you were standing and balancing on shore. Look beside you, look behind you, look above you and turn up your audio to experience its calm waters at sunrise.
We invite you to experience False Creek in Vancouver, British Columbia on-site and to look for the different point locations on this trail. How is the area different from a digital semi-immersive exprience? What are the smells and sounds on different days?
360 VR - Vancouver False Creek Dawn
