Vancouver park board assessing post 4/20 condition of Sunset Beach Park

Vancouver’s park officials were at Sunset Beach Park on Sunday to assess the turf’s condition following the weekend’s 4/20 event.

By some estimates, the ‘protestival’ saw up to 60,000 people descend on the popular West End park to celebrate, protest and partake in the cannabis occasion.

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In the years since the Vancouver 4/20 event moved from its former venue in a downtown plaza, organizers and city officials have been at odds over the suitability of Sunset Beach Park as a venue.

While organizers budgeted $30,000 for the cost of laying down mats to protect some of the grass, park officials have maintained it’s not enough. Last year, Sunset Beach was fenced off for repairs that were projected to take up to 10 weeks though in reality, the park was re-opened just over a month following the event.

It remains unclear if the same measures will be needed this year.

“Park Board staff are assessing the condition of the field today and will be determining the treatment plan and timeline in the coming days,” according to a Vancouver park board statement provided by spokesman Godfrey Tait on Sunday.

Observed on Sunday, large swaths of bright green grass were still visible, though well-worn pedestrian walkways could be seen. The park was free of debris and garbage.

Event organizer Dana Larsen acknowledged “the grass is damaged in a few spots,” but overall 4/20 “couldn’t have gone better.”

He said the worn lines of grass between the vendors (where the grass was not damaged) were not covered. Larsen said this was because it was not possible to secure enough turf covering in time. As a result, only the area in front of the main stage was protected.

He said next year organizers would look at buying turf protection, or bringing it in from outside Metro Vancouver.

Photos of Sunset Beach Park before 4/20

Photos of Sunset Beach Park after 4/20