2006 Windstorm, Stanley Park

These few remaining conifers and the dead logs still standing in the air are what remain of what was once a large forest on the western edge of Stanley Park after the 2006 Windstorms destroyed a significant number of trees unable to withstand the hurricane force winds. CREDIT: Venture Vancouver, SOURCE: www.venturevancouver.com

Remaining trees not destroyed by the 2006 Windstorms braving the elements on the Western edge of Stanley Park.

STATS

Type:

Remnants

Season:

All Seasons

Weather:

All Weather

Time:

1 hour

Cost:

Free

What to bring:

Camera, Questions, Hiking Boots

The 2006 Windstorm of the West Coast devastated the coastline knocking down trees, destroying cars and cutting off traffic routes. However, it was when reentering Stanley Park that the extent of the damage was truly realized. Thousands of Old Growth trees were destroyed, the hurricane force winds toppling them like cards. Years later, the evidence is still seen as park officials have cleared most of the walkways and roots and restabilized the cliffs, but have left many fallen trees where they lay to provide new mulch for saplings growing to replace them.

One of the most defining environmental events in recent history is the 2006 Wind Storm which hit Vancouver on December 15th to 16th.

Destructive winds gaining speeds of Hurricane ferocity blew through most of the Pacific West Coast as well as heavy rain, snow and hail.

Millions of dollars of damage to personal and public property were estimated, as well, many landslides were triggered which polluted Vancouver's water reservoirs and closing off many routes.

Years of rebuilding has made it hard to see the effects of the storm in residential areas, however, Stanley Park was hit hardest, knocking down over 1000 irreplaceable old growth tree species, most found on the western edge of the Park. Walking or driving down the roadway in the higher region of the park, the evidence of the destruction is still visible as large areas of land have been left bare.

This storm is still affecting Stanley Park as the Seawall was closed for nearly a year afterwards for repairs and large rainfalls can trigger erosion and mud slides from the treeless slopes.

A walk on any of Stanley Park's numerous trails will have some evidence from the storm such as sawn logs to create a bypass for many people using the path systems and massive uprooted trees still lying where they fell in some of the central areas.

However natural regeneration has begun to take place on the rotting logs leftover from the storm, heralding hope that Stanley Park will eventually return to its former glory.