'No fun city': Calls to extend hours at Vancouver beaches

Some Vancouver residents want hours to be extended at city beaches during the summer, criticizing the current bylaw and questioning its enforcement.

Some Vancouver residents want hours to be extended at city beaches during the summer.

The request comes after a photo posted on social media showed park rangers and Vancouver police officers asking people to leave English Bay Sunday evening.

City parks, gardens and beaches are only open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m unless otherwise posted. After that, police and park rangers are able to enforce a bylaw, forcing visitors out.

Jeremy Omand, a Vancouver resident, said he’s been forced to leave the beach dozens of times, including Friday night. Omand was paddle boarding at Spanish Banks when he heard park rangers warn people the beach would be closing. He said he didn’t pack up his equipment in time, and found his car locked in the parking lot with others after 10 p.m.

“It’s a silly bylaw,” he said. “We’re in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The beach is one of the main aspects people come here for.”

Park board commissioner Tom Digb said it was disappointing hearing beachgoers had to leave the waterfront Sunday.

“People are just trying to enjoy the sunset down at English Bay,” he said. “We have this constant police surveillance now.”