Life is a Beach Sometimes…
Story BackLOG 🙂
It would not be an exaggeration to say the Trafalgar Log is about 500 years old… Old growth Douglas Fir trees have a history of living for more than five centuries! When you try to estimate the size of the tree’s root mass compared to the people on the beach it’s massive. It would be like a large home with a 300 foot (15 stories) big tree growing out the roof.
This beloved giant cedar log at Kitsilano Beach, an iconic symbol of the local community’s history and natural beauty, holds a special place in the collective heart of Vancouver. This massive log, nearly two meters in diameter and stretching over four meters in length, serves as a natural bench for individuals and families to sit, rest, and take in the breathtaking sunsets that have become synonymous with the Kitsilano shoreline.
Historically Famous
The story of this log begins in the 1970s, when it was deposited on the beach, possibly after a journey through logging operations that were all too common in the old-growth forests of British Columbia. Estimated to be about 800 years old, this ancient cedar tree trunk is not just a piece of driftwood but a tangible connection to the region’s environmental and economic past. “How they could cut down an 800-year-old cedar tree, and then lose it in the ocean and not even use it for any constructive purpose is just staggering to us,” Park Board Commissioner Tom Digby reflects, highlighting its unintended yet profound presence on the beach.
Sudden Attack Creates Outcry
When news emerged that the Vancouver Park Board intended to remove the log due to concerns about potential damage to infrastructure, the community’s response was swift and impassioned. Residents voiced their objections, citing not only their personal memories of the log but also its role as a communal gathering point. The social media outcry brought the story of the log to the forefront, transforming it into a rallying point against the erasure of local heritage.
Loving the Log
For community members like David Fine, the log is “more than just a log. It’s a symbol of natural beauty, a resting place, and the perfect sunset viewpoint.” This sentiment is echoed by Anita Bonnarens, who saw the log as an energetic landmark upon her move to Kitsilano. “It was a kind of energy, I felt I was connected to the land,” she recalls. The log not only embodies the essence of Kitsilano but also serves as a reminder of the broader environmental and historical narratives that have shaped Vancouver and its relationship with nature.
Long Live the Log and the Legend
The decision to preserve the log in its place reflects more than a compromise on safety concerns; it signifies a victory for communal memory and environmental respect. The cedar trunk stands as a testament to the community’s enduring connection to their local landscape, their history, and their collective voice in civic decisions. In choosing to protect this piece of natural history, the community has reinforced its identity and values, charting a course for the preservation of small yet significant pieces of shared history.
Community Survey:
Would you like to see the log RIP (Rest in Place) or be removed?
Keeping beach on our coastline is a constant evolution…
Some time soon we’ll hear about some big changes coming to Kits Pool in the future!
