Beach chair and umbrella rentals could hit English Bay this summer

May 25 2016, 6:07 am

With its beautiful scenery, it’s hardly surprising that English Bay was recently named one of the top 50 beaches in the world – so what could make it better?

Well, beach and umbrella rentals might help.

Vancouver’s Parks Board is looking for a private sector company that’s willing to rent out chairs and umbrellas to beach goers by April 15. The idea is to have the service rolled out in time for the summer as a pilot project.

“It’s something that’s available at other beaches around the world, so why not English Bay?” Parks Board Commissioner Sarah Kirby-Yung tells Vancity Buzz. “It’s one of the world’s top urban beaches, so that seemed like a perfect location for a trial.”

Kirby-Yung says it’s part of the Parks Board’s plan to add more fun into the city, as they did with the zip line in Queen Elizabeth Park. If the pilot is successful, she says we can expect chair and umbrella rentals to hit other Vancouver beaches.

“I think Jericho beach for example would be another location – that’s very popular,” says Kirby-Yung.

She adds this project would likely benefit transit users the most who might be not want to haul heavy chairs and awkward umbrellas on the bus.

Lauren SundstromLauren Sundstrom

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