Pubdate: Mon, 15 Feb 2016 Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC) Copyright: 2016 Metro Canada Contact: http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775 Author: Tereza Verenca Page: 2 PARK BOARD FUMING OVER SUNSET BEACH 4/20 RALLY Pot Protest Safety Risks Cited by Board Chairwoman The news that Vancouver's annual 4/ 20 pot protest is moving to Sunset Beach this year isn't sitting so well with the park board. Chairwoman Sarah Kirby-Yung told Metro the location isn't appropriate and there are many concerns to weigh. "Demonstrators will not only violate the park board's smoking bylaws, which cover all beaches, but will block parts of the seawall, a nearby daycare and the aquatic centre," she said. Another concern is having tens of thousands of people at the waterfront, something she said could pose a safety risk. "There were 64 hospitalizations in the 2015 4/20 event," she noted. Kirby-Yung said alternative venues for the smokefest - which attracted some 20,000 bud enthusiasts last year - could be Larwill Park or Concord Pacific-owned land near the viaducts. The worldwide pro-marijuana event, which has people light up at 4:20 p.m. on April 20, has to find a new home for a couple of reasons. First, the north plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery is slated for major renovations this spring. Second, attendance is growing to the point where downtown Vancouver is no longer a viable option. "We believe the beach is a safe place because sand won't go on fire and we'll make sure we'll have ashtrays and any sort of garbage collection for any of the refuse left behind," 4/20 organizer Jodie Emery said in an interview with the CBC. Because this is an unsanctioned and un-permitted event, 4/20 organizers won't be applying for a permit. "We're doing everything required of a permitted event to make sure it's safe and secure," Emery said in the interview. Kirby-Yung, meanwhile, said none of the park-board commissioners were consulted about relocating the peacefully rally to Sunset Beach, which falls under its jurisdiction. "The park board is very disappointed this happened without consultation with the elected board," she said, adding the board's concerns will be sent in a letter to Mayor Gregor Robertson on Monday. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom