By Mina Kerr-Lazenby, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter NORTH SHORE NEWS
A week after a 17-year-old fell to his death in Lynn Canyon, the District of North Vancouver is installing new multilingual signs that warn of the dangers of adventuring in the unforgiving area.
The signs, written in English, French, Spanish, German, Farsi, Mandarin, Japanese and Hindi, are striking with bright colours and easy-to-read fonts.
Black and red graphics feature clear images of the prohibited activities of climbing fences into restricted areas, swimming and cliff diving. A large skull and crossbones sits next to a warning of 鈥渆xtreme danger.鈥�
Steffanie Warriner, the District of North Vancouver鈥檚 director of parks, said the signs are being placed in 鈥渟trategic locations鈥� where visitors are most likely to see them and read the information needed to 鈥渕ake safe and informed choices.鈥�
Warriner said the district has been providing information and signage warning of the perils of the park since the early 1990s, but over time the messaging has evolved and the signs have been relocated to ensure that 鈥渢he message stays fresh,鈥� is easily understood and is in the most visible of locations.
鈥淎n important part of managing and operating any park space is helping visitors understand the area that they鈥檙e in, know how to recreate safely, and have a fun and positive experience,鈥� she said.
In previous decades dozens have succumbed to the dangers of the park, with last month鈥檚 17-year-old boy, a student from Ontario set to start at UBC in the fall, marking the second death this summer alone. In July, a swimmer died after going over the canyon鈥檚 Twin Falls.
鈥淟ynn Canyon, like many natural parks, is rugged. There are steep slopes, there are unexpected and changing conditions. The water is extremely cold, and it moves quickly,鈥� said Warriner. 鈥淲e really encourage and request people to be mindful when they鈥檙e in the area. Stay on the trails, make informed choices. We鈥檝e designated trails, and we put a lot of effort into showing people where they can go to enjoy the park safely.鈥�
Warriner said the district wants tourists to enjoy the park and learn about the area鈥檚 natural environment, 鈥渂ut to do so safely.鈥�
The signs will continue to be implemented within the park over the coming weeks.
