The Vancouver Park Board announced Monday it is opening four outdoor pools, 10 spray parks and staffing nine Vancouver beaches with lifeguards this summer.

Vancouver Park Board commissioners voted 5-2 in favour of allowing vehicle traffic in Stanley Park.

Stanley Park Drive, which circumnavigates the 405-hectare park, was closed to cars on April 8, to better accommodate physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It is a pilot program, but the mayor hopes it won't be temporary.

Signage will be posted at beaches to notify swimmers that they enter the water at their own risk.

As a result, the park board said Monday it will delay plans to reopen parking lots at beaches and parks. 

The Vancouver Park Board has been forced to spend an estimated $7,000 on temporary fencing to secure playgrounds and outdoor exercise areas after people ripped down yellow tape daily to access the closed areas.

At least two Vancouver Park Board commissioners are pushing for runners to stay off the Seawall during the pandemic.

The Vancouver Park Board says it is closing Stanley Park Drive to vehicles starting at noon on Wednesday.

The "Champions" program is meant to promote the importance of physical distancing, which the park board says is still not being followed by everyone in Vancouver's outdoor spaces.