WATCH: The City of Vancouver is hoping to get ahead of a new tradition by lovers that has caused problems in other cities. Nadia Stewart explains.
Vancouverites will get to have their say about where they think the love locks structure can go. Public consultation will go ahead this summer.
Park Board commissioners voted Monday night on five possible locations in or near Stanley Park, English Bay beach, Queen Elizabeth Park, Kitsilano Beach and Jericho Beach, but they were rejected.
Previous story: July 3:
Whither the Vancouver love locks?
The locks, often etched with short romantic messages from couples, became an increasing fixture on places like the Burrard Street bridge earlier this decade, as the European trend made its way to Vancouver.
But the city began removing some of them in 2013, over fears that their sheer number could cause structural damage.
“While the weight of a single lock is insignificant, the accumulation of thousands of locks creates a substantive weight that can damage infrastructure and pose a public safety risk,” says a report by city staff.
Since then, NPA councillor George Affleck has led the charge to find a permanent structure people can adorn their locks with.
READ MORE: Vancouver councillor wants a permanent home for Vancouver’s ‘love locks’
“It’s important for Vancouverites to celebrate their love. If locks are the way they want to do it, then we should make that a possibility,” he says.
Now, the Vancouver Park Board has received a report recommending that they find a local artist to create “a custom and structurally safe love
lock sculpture.” The report also recommends the public be consulted on where it should be placed, with English Bay Beach, Kits Beach, Jericho Beach Pier, Stanley Park’s Prospect Point, and Queen Elizabeth Park Lookout Plaza on the short list.
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