Official opening of the long-awaited Beach Park refresh The long-awaited official re-opening of Lions Bay Beach Park happens today, with Canada Day events including food, music and games from noon to 5 p.m. Ribbon cutting of the new facilities will be at 12 sharp, with MP Patrick Weiler and MLA Jeremy Valeriote expected to attend. Enjoy the day! The Watershed values your opinion. Leave your comments below, or email us at editor@lionsbaywatershed.ca Like what you're reading?

Fifteen Years of Working Together Bear cub (Tsaw'in) prior to rescue, December 2022. Photo by Michelle Langford. This year marks Lions Bay's 15th anniversary as a Bear Smart community, but the history of supporting bears and other wildlife in and around the Village goes back even farther. In 2004, Lions Bay's then-Chief Administrative Officer Lori Pilon worked together with resident Norma Rodgers to apply for a new "Bear Smart Community Program" grant being offered by the M

How to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites Last year, a study identified invasive mosquito species in the Sea to Sky region, and experts have now expanded the study to include the North Shore. British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is again partnering with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and the University of British Columbia (UBC) Department of Zoology, and this time

Home giveaway a "lifechanger" for Ontario transplants Photo credit: Wealthsimple. The draw has been made, and Lions Bay's first home giveaway now has an owner. But whether the Ontario ex-pats who won the place can stick out life here in the temperate rainforest remains to be seen. Billed as the (Un)Real Deal, the home giveaway was a promotional effort by Canadian investment management company Wealthsimple. Aimed at potential clients. signing up for the contest gave them a sho

Advice from Lions Bay Search and Rescue Editor's note: The cliffs near Lions Bay have been a draw for thrill-seekers as long as anyone can remember. Unfortunately, along with the thrill have come many accidents over the years — leading to broken bones (including skulls and backs) and risk of drowning. Recently, members of Lions Bay Search and Rescue were called to the site, and have a few thoughts to share on the subject. Photos: LBSAR. Story by LBSAR member Maria Masiar The

June's Coastal Canine has come a long way As a puppy, Naynay lived a crazy life on the streets and the beaches of Mexico and was even once run over by a horse. But when she was two, she fell in love with a family she met on the beach. She followed them around until they fell for her too. Soon, she had a new name —Ray— and a new home in Lions Bay. Her early years in Mexico have given Ray some interesting life-skills. Chickens, for example, are not safe in her presence, as sh

Parking revenue, portapotties, watercraft storage approved Council members sat down to address the shortest agenda of the year so far (a mere 36 pages) at the meeting in Chambers on Tuesday night. All members of Council were present at the table, joined by Chief Administrative Officer Ross Blackwell. Financial Officer Joe Chirkoff and Director of Operations Eric Villeneuve were present in the gallery, along with a single in-person resident, and 11 attendees on line. Former C

Resident petition to Council faces uphill battle Clearcut area along Rundle Creek is highly visible on this screenshot taken from Google maps, June 13, 2026. A group of residents concerned with the clearing of a lot at 250 Oceanview Road has been stymied after presenting a petition to Council asking for immediate action. The lot abuts the property of Hanna Bartholomew, a 34-year Kelvin Grove resident, who says she is deeply concerned that her neighbour has removed more than 2

A celebration of all things LGBTQ+ begins this month June rainbow over Lions Bay. Photo by Gail Craig, June 10, 2026. The Watershed welcomes your thoughts. Leave your comments below, or email us at editor@lionsbaywatershed.ca Like what you're reading? For as little as $5/month, you can support local independent journalism by subscribing to The Watershed HERE.

New initiative brings choir experience to Village residents Vocal coach Monique Creber. Photo courtesy creberproductions.com. Is it time to raise your voice? According to a recent survey, more than 50 Village residents are keen on taking part in a local choir, and the team at Lions Bay Arts (LBA) has a plan in place to make it happen. LBA treasurer Leslie Nolin says that when her team took the temperature of the community back in 2025, the most interest was directed at food a

Next up: sharing updated Village Evacuation Plan EPC Mary Brown addresses residents of Mountain, Sunset, and Timbertop on May 31. Photo by kc dyer. When the worst happens, how can we help each other? This is the question Emergency Planning Coordinator (EPC) Mary Brown asked the residents of Mountain, Sunset and Timbertop Drive last weekend. It's a serious question. Residents in the Sea to Sky live in one of British Columbia's most active regions for landslides and debris torr

Western Tiger Swallowtail frolics in the flowers Photo by kc dyer. Seeing more butterflies, bees and other pollinators around lately? You can thank the hard-working Butterflyway Rangers for promoting the growth of indigenous plants in gardens around the Village. Want to encourage more pollinators in your garden? Reach out to local Butterflyway Rangers Val Morton and Hana Boye on their Facebook page HERE. This Western Tiger Swallowtail was spotted on June 6, frolicking on the

Hearing Addresses Amendments Public sentiment toward proposed amendments to the Village's Zoning and Development Bylaw was overwhelmingly opposed at last Tuesday's public hearing. The hearing began Tuesday night in Council Chambers at 8 p.m., after an adjournment paused the regular Council meeting. There were 13 people present in the online gallery, with five residents attending in person. The formal notice announcing the hearing stated that proposed amendments to the bylaw w

Study shows disease present in small sample of airborne insects Mosquito surveillance team (l to r): Dr. Anya F. Smith, BCCDC senior scientist, graduate students Jessica Kuzyk and Crystal Han, and vector specialist Stefan Iwasawa. Photo courtesy BCCDC.​​​​ The BC Centre for Disease Control (BC CDC) announced this week that the pilot project launched in response to several pediatric encephalitis cases in the Whistler area has indeed found invasive species and evidence of Cali

Clear-cut concerns continue All members of Council were present in person for Tuesday's Council meeting, with Chief Administrative Officer Ross Blackwell joining the table. After a heated discussion before the meeting began regarding which items would be included in the agenda, Council moved into a closed session. When Council returned to an open session, Mayor Ken Berry announced that Council had endorsed the Lions Bay Arts Council's choice of art wrap for the Beach Park was

Unique new piercing parlor enters the scene Squamish Piercing & Jewelry co-owner Jon Gawiuk stands in the newly opened location. If you're looking for a little atmosphere when getting your ears (or anything else) pierced, look no further. Squamish Piercing & Jewelry Co. has recently opened in downtown Squamish, and it brings a whole new look to the piercing experience. Since the company opened in May, they've received over 100 five-star reviews, and co-owner Jon Gawiuk says t

Bear pauses in Sunday sunshine to allow fans a photograph Photo by Norma Rodgers, May 31, 2026. Spot a bear? Make sure you report the sighting to Lions Bay Bear Smart. While you're there, take a look around the site to learn all the tips and tricks for keeping bear encounters positive and conflict-free. The Watershed values your opinion. Share your thoughts below, or email editor@lionsbaywatershed.ca Like what you're reading? For as little as $5/month, you can support local

To filter or not to filter...that is the question Are you drinking old lead in your water? And if you are, what can you do about it? Village water is subject to rigorous testing by the expert group of specialists who make up the Lions Bay Public Works department, and there is definitively no measurable quantity of lead to be found in water that is delivered to Village homes. However, any homes built in Canada before 1989 may indeed have copper plumbing that was soldered toget

Wishing a lovely long weekend to all Watershed readers A Lions Bay rhododendron offers a glorious display. Photo by kc dyer. The Watershed welcomes your thoughts. Leave your comments below, or email us at editor@lionsbaywatershed.ca Like what you're reading? For as little as $5/month, you can support local independent journalism by subscribing to The Watershed HERE.

Air traffic not all attributable to SAR teams Photo credit: Helijet.com Last week, Lions Bay Search and Rescue (LBSAR) participated in five separate rescues, bringing injured hikers back to safety from the trails around and above the Village. This involved calling on the assistance of North Shore Rescue (NSR) and helicopter support. LBSAR Manager Ed Langford acknowledges the early start to the hiking — and rescue — season. "This past week and based on hiker volumes evident th