The Vancouver Park Board has announced that it is reopening Fraserview and McCleery golf courses and VanDusen Botanical Garden for public use on Friday, May 1.
The sites will operate with new physical distancing procedures for users and staff to ensure a safe experience.
According to the news release, the Park Board will continue to review the feasibility of reopening other facilities and will make adjustments to its operations based on the latest information provided by Health Officers.
VanDusen Botanical Garden Rules
COVID-19 Reopening Hours: The Garden will open to the public Monday to Friday, 10am to 7pm, and from 9am to 7pm on weekends. VBGA members will have morning access from 9am to 10am, Monday to Friday.
- Visitors will have to buy tickets online.
- Visitors should book an entry time slot in advance.
- A maximum of 30 visitors will be permitted in each time slot (every half hour).
- Select facility features will be closed (such as the gift shop and cafe), some pathways will be marked as one-way, and guided tours will not be available.
- Visitors will be required to maintain a two-metre distance from others at all times.
- One individual/household will be permitted in the maze at a time; the maze will be staffed to ensure compliance with this restriction.
Fraserview and McCleary Rules
Full list of COVID-19 protocols and changes to the courses
- No walk-ups allowed; All bookings will be completed online, with payment on site.
- Golfers should arrive at the course no more than 20 minutes prior to tee off, and to remain in their vehicles (no congregating) until they are ready to pay and play. They should leave immediately after completing their play.
- Access to the golf shop will be limited to two guests at a time.
- Golfers will tee off at 18 minute intervals (half as many tee times as normal) which will result in a maximum of 12 golfers teeing off per hour.
- A single rider cart policy has been implemented with all carts being sanitized in a designated area between use. Pull carts will be sanitized for every user. No rental clubs will be available.
- Flag sticks will not be touched. Cup fillers will prevent the ball from going to the bottom of the hole for touchless retrieval.
- Walkers will still be welcome on the courses from dawn until 8am on the back nine holes providing the community access to nature and green space.
Langara Golf Course will remain closed for play, as the clubhouse is currently being used to prepare meals for residents of the Downtown Eastside. Pitch and putts in Stanley, Rupert, and Queen Elizabeth parks will also remain closed.