Aesthetic interventions as investigations into land theft, ecosystem erasure, real estate speculation, hazards, and resurgence for the Skwácháy̓s neighbourhood of central Vancouver
orchard looking north, Strathcona Community Garden, north central Skwácháy̓s, formerly marine and well below the 1917 low-tide line * 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9912“BEEAWARE” sign, Strathcona Community Garden, north central Skwácháy̓s, formerly marine and well below the 1917 low-tide line * 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9915orchard looking west with Vancouver Fire Department tower in distance, Strathcona Community Garden, north central Skwácháy̓s, formerly marine and well below the 1917 low-tide line * 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9916discarded sleeping bag, Strathcona Community Garden, north central Skwácháy̓s, formerly marine and well below the 1917 low-tide line * 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9918pond, Strathcona Community Garden, north central Skwácháy̓s, formerly marine and well below the 1917 low-tide line * 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9920 pond, Strathcona Community Garden, north central Skwácháy̓s, formerly marine and well below the 1917 low-tide line * 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9932mulch-making, Strathcona Community Garden, north central Skwácháy̓s, formerly marine and well below the 1917 low-tide line * 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9930blooming cherry tea looking west with Vancouver Fire Department tower in background, Strathcona Community Garden, north central Skwácháy̓s, formerly tidal (on the east side of Crabapple Point) and well below the 1917 high-tide line * 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9954The southern half of Strathcona Park looking east from near Malkin and Hawks Avenues with homeless encampment in distance, Cottonwood Community Garden, north central Skwácháy̓s, formerly marine and well below the 1917 low-tide line * 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9922homeless encampment in Strathcona Park viewed from near Hawks and Malkin Avenues, north central Skwácháy̓s, formerly marine and well below the 1917 low-tide line * 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9935 homeless encampment in Strathcona Park viewed from Cottonwood Community Garden, north central Skwácháy̓s, formerly marine and well below the 1917 low-tide line * 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9937homeless encampment in Strathcona Park viewed from Cottonwood Community Garden, north central Skwácháy̓s, formerly marine and well below the 1917 low-tide line * 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9940homeless encampment in Strathcona Park viewed from Cottonwood Community Garden, north central Skwácháy̓s, formerly marine and well below the 1917 low-tide line * 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9950‘NO CAMPING WILDLIFE PARK’ sign, Cottonwood Community Garden, north central Skwácháy̓s, formerly marine and well below the 1917 low-tide line * 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9952“This hill…” sign, Cottonwood Community Garden, north central Skwácháy̓s, formerly marine and well below the 1917 low-tide line * 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9953
Looking south from Prior Street just east of Station Street, we can see the depths of once was the north-west of historic Skwácháy̓s. Until recently the site of an early twentieth- century warehouse, this expanse is part of the construction site for the north-western portion of the new St. Paul’s Hospital that broke ground this week. The sites on the other side of the fence were part of the historic tidal flats with much of the area portrayed across the horizon, largely marine inlet. Where this image was taken was roughly along the east shore of the point that connected north to Chinatown and that extended south to Thornton Park and the location of the 1916-17 national train station that still operates today. South of this point was a passage of water called KIWAHUSKS (‘two points opposite’). Much of this area is below sea level or will be in the coming decades as marine intrusion intensifies. 2021 March 11 * P3A9885 Looking east from Station Street just south of Prior Street, we can see the low-tide line of what was once was the north-west shore of historic Skwácháy̓s. Until recently the site of an early twentieth-century warehouse, This expanse is part of the construction site for the north-western portion of the new St. Paul’s Hospital that broke ground this week. Where this image was taken was roughly along the east shore of the point that connected north to Chinatown and that extended south to Thornton Park and the location of the 1916-17 national train station that still operates today. South of this point was a passage of water called KIWAHUSKS (‘two points opposite’). Much of this area is below sea level or will be in the coming decades as marine intrusion intensifies. 2021 March 11 * E 1P3A9873 Looking east from Station Street just south of Prior Street, we can see signs of ongoing saltwater intrusion near the low-tide line of what was once was the north-west shore of historic Skwácháy̓s. Until recently the site of an early twentieth-century warehouse, this expanse is part of the construction site for the north-western portion of the new St. Paul’s Hospital that broke ground this week. Where this image was taken was roughly along the east shore of the point that connected north to Chinatown and that extended south to Thornton Park and the location of the 1916-17 national train station that still operates today. South of this point was a passage of water called KIWAHUSKS (‘two points opposite’). Much of this area is below sea level or will be in the coming decades as marine intrusion intensifies. 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9876Looking south from Prior Street just east of Station Street, we can see the depths of once was the north-west of historic Skwácháy̓s. Until recently the site of an early twentieth-century warehouse, this expanse is part of the construction site for the north-western portion of the new St. Paul’s Hospital that broke ground this week. The sites on the other side of the fence were part of the historic tidal flats with much of the area portrayed across the horizon, largely marine inlet. Where this image was taken was roughly along the east shore of the point that connected north to Chinatown and that extended south to Thornton Park and the location of the 1916-17 national train station that still operates today. South of this point was a passage of water called KIWAHUSKS (‘two points opposite’). Much of this area is below sea level or will be in the coming decades as marine intrusion intensifies. 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9890 Looking east from Station Street just south of Prior Street, we can see a marker that is roughly on the site of the low-tide mark below the north-western shore of historic Skwácháy̓s. Until recently the site of an early twentieth-century warehouse, this expanse is part of the construction site for the north-western portion of the new St. Paul’s Hospital that broke ground this week. The sites on the other side of the fence were part of the historic tidal flats with much of the area portrayed across the horizon, largely marine inlet. Where this image was taken was roughly along the east shore of the point that connected north to Chinatown and that extended south to Thornton Park and the location of the 1916-17 national train station that still operates today. South of this point was a passage of water called KIWAHUSKS (‘two points opposite’). Much of this area is below sea level or will be in the coming decades as marine intrusion intensifies. 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9900
Looking south along Thornton Street just south of Prior Street, this was the east side of the point that connected north to Chinatown and that extended south to Thornton Park and the location of the 1916-17 national train station that still operates today (see upper left of the image). South of the train station was a passage of water called KIWAHUSKS (‘two points opposite’). Much of this area is below sea level or will be in the coming decades as marine intrusion intensifies. 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9881Moving south along Station Street, this is a view of the northern end of Thornton Park from near the corner of Station Street and National Avenue. The 1916-17 national train station that still operates today is in the upper left. To the right (west) is Main Street that was an extended bridge a century called Westminster Road (connecting to the south with Kings Way). South of the train station was a passage of water called KIWAHUSKS (‘two points opposite’) which is roughly in the location of the conifer tree in the centre of the image and the overhead Skytrain line. Much of this area is below sea level or will be in the coming decades as marine intrusion intensifies. 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9905 This old cherry tree, at Station Street and National Avenue, was planted soon after the destruction of the marine ecosystems of Skwácháy̓s when saltwater was kept from intruding into this area that was barely above the high tide line on the east side of the point that connected north to Chinatown and that extended south through Thornton Park to KIWAHUSKS (‘two points opposite’). Much of this area is below sea level or will be in the coming decades as marine intrusion intensifies and saltwater in the soil could kill street trees. 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9863
In this view from the west side of Trilliam Park looking west, is the construction site f or the north-eastern portion of the new St. Paul’s Hospital that broke ground this week. We can see the depths of the marine portions of the north-west of historic Skwácháy̓s. Relatively close to the edge of today’s False Creek, much of this area is below sea level or will be in the coming decades as marine intrusion intensifies. A century ago, the tidal and marine areas of Skwácháy̓s were filled with garbage and unconsolidated material that may not stand a major earthquake. 2021 March 10 * 1P3A9829Looking north from National Avenue to the construction site for the new St. Paul’s Hospital pre-1919 that were the depths of the marine portions of the north-west of historic Skwácháy̓s. Relatively close to the edge of today’s False Creek, much of this area is below sea level or will be in the coming decades as marine intrusion intensifies. A century ago, the tidal and marine areas of Skwácháy̓s were filled with garbage and unconsolidated material that may not stand a major earthquake. 2021 March 10 * 1P3A9845 Looking north from National Avenue to the construction site for the new St. Paul’s Hospital with the North Shore mountains in the distance. Pre-1919, this area was in the depths of the marine portions of the north-west of historic Skwácháy̓s. Relatively close to the edge of today’s False Creek, much of this area is below sea level or will be in the coming decades as marine intrusion intensifies. A century ago, the tidal and marine areas of Skwácháy̓s were filled with garbage and unconsolidated material that may not stand a major earthquake. 2021 March 10 * 1P3A9851
Looking north from National Avenue to the construction site for the new St. Paul’s Hospital. There is a recently erected sign celebrating the beginning the construction of the hospital with modern buildings in Chinatown in the background. Pre-1919, this area comprising this massive construction site was in the depths of the marine portions of the north-west of historic Skwácháy̓s. Relatively close to the edge of today’s False Creek, much of this area is below sea level or will be in the coming decades as marine intrusion intensifies. A century ago, the tidal and marine areas of Skwácháy̓s were filled with garbage and unconsolidated material that may not stand a major earthquake. 2021 March 10 * 1P3A9858Looking east from Station Street, we can see the depths of once was the north-west of historic Skwácháy̓s. This expanse is part of the construction site for the north-western portion of the new St. Paul’s Hospital that broke ground this week. The white tents were for the ground-breaking celebrations. The sites on the other side of the fence were part of the historic tidal flats with much of the area portrayed across the horizon, largely marine inlet. Where this image was taken was roughly along the east shore of the point that connected north to Chinatown and that extended south to Thornton Park and the location of the 1916-17 national train station that still operates today. South of this point was a passage of water called KIWAHUSKS (‘two points opposite’). Much of this area is below sea level or will be in the coming decades as marine intrusion intensifies. 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9866 Looking east from Station Street, we can see the depths of once was the north-west of historic Skwácháy̓s. This expanse is part of the construction site for the north-western portion of the new St. Paul’s Hospital that broke ground this week. Where this image was taken was roughly along the east shore of the point that connected north to Chinatown and that extended south to Thornton Park and the location of the 1916-17 national train station that still operates today. South of this point was a passage of water called KIWAHUSKS (‘two points opposite’). Much of this area is below sea level or will be in the coming decades as marine intrusion intensifies. 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9869 Looking east from Station Street near the corner with Prior Street, we can see the depths of once was the north-west of Skwácháy̓s. In the upper left is Prior Street and north of it the Georgia Viaduct. This expanse is part of the construction site for the north-western portion of the new St. Paul’s Hospital that broke ground this week. The sites on the other side of the fence were part of the historic tidal flats with much of the area portrayed across the horizon. Where this image was taken was roughly along the east shore of the point that connected north to Chinatown and that extended south to Thornton Park and the location of the 1916-17 national train station that still operates today. South of this point was a passage of water called KIWAHUSKS (‘two points opposite’). Much of this area is below sea level or will be in the coming decades as marine intrusion intensifies. 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9875 Looking south from Prior Street, just east of Station Street, we can see the depths of once was the north-west of historic Skwácháy̓s. This expanse is part of the construction site for the north-western portion of the new St. Paul’s Hospital that broke ground this week. The white tents were for the ground-breaking celebrations. The national train station, constructed in 1916-17, is on the horizon. The sites on the other side of the fence were part of the historic tidal flats with much of the area portrayed across the horizon, largely marine inlet. Where this image was taken was roughly along the east shore of the point that connected north to Chinatown and that extended south to Thornton Park and the location of the 1916-17 national train station that still operates today. South of this point was a passage of water called KIWAHUSKS (‘two points opposite’). Much of this area is below sea level or will be in the coming decades as marine intrusion intensifies. 2021 March 11 * 1P3A9898
This old beach house at the corner of Atlantic Street and Malkin Avenue was built along the north-western shore of Skwácháy̓s decades before the beach and inlet were obliterated in the demographic chaos after World War I. The roaring twenties and Jazz were only partial consolation for the heartbreak from the loss of the beach and sea. 2021 March 10 * 1P3A9815
The north-western shore of Skwácháy̓s along the west side of Crabapple Point got steep near the end of the point. Today, the slope above the high tide line directly below Atlantic Street and Princess Avenue is being re-enforced just above Malkin Avenue. 2021 March 10 Skwácháy̓s 1P3A9811This lost toy is at the north end of Trillium Park near the playground. This area is roughly at the low-tide line of the tidal flats Skwácháy̓s. 2021 March 10 * 1P3A9817This view from the north-western side of Trillum Park looking west was below the low tide line of Skwácháy̓s and would have been an entirely marine estuary. Today the view is into the construction of the north-eastern side of the construction site for the new version of St. Paul’s Hospital. This area was nearly all marine with some tidal flats closer to Prior Street and was filled with garbage and poorly consolidated material. Most of these sites are below sea level or will be in the coming decades. 2021 March 10 * 1P3A9825This view from the north-western side of Trillum Park looking west was below the low tide line of Skwácháy̓s and would have been an entirely marine estuary. Today the view is into the construction of the north-eastern side of the construction site for the new version of St. Paul’s Hospital. This area was nearly all marine with some tidal flats closer to Prior Street and was filled with garbage and poorly consolidated material. Most of these sites are below sea level or will be in the coming decades. 2021 March 10 * 1P3A9832At the east side of the corner of Thornton Street and Malkin Avenue that a century ago was tidal flats along the north-western shore of Skwácháy̓s, there are warehouses and an installation by artist Ken Lum. There is also informal art such as ‘you’ spray-painted on a rock. Most of these sites are below sea level or will be in the coming decades. 2021 March 10 * 1P3A9812 This blooming mustard is at the east side of the corner of Thornton Street and Malkin Avenue that a century ago was tidal flats along the north-western shore of Skwácháy̓s. Today, there are warehouses and an installation by artist Ken Lum. This site is nearly below sea level and will be below sea level in the coming decades. 2021 March 10 * 1P3A9813This camper is parked on Thornton Street south of Malkin Avenue and provides crucial temporary housing especially for a city with severe real estate speculation and a resulting housing shortage along with gentrification and relatively low wages in the service sector. This site is below sea level. 2021 March 10 * 1P3A9838This yarrow, Achillea millefolium, along National Street just east of Malkin Avenue, is an important traditional medicinal for the owners and guardians of this territory, the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ / Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. That this circumpolar herb, most common around the North Pacific, is one of the few traditionally used plants that can colonize this toxic soil is an important indicator. 2021 March 10 * 1P3A9804 This yarrow, Achillea millefolium, along National Street just east of Malkin Avenue looking north, is an important traditional medicinal for the owners and guardians of this territory, the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. That this circumpolar herb, most common around the North Pacific, is one of the few traditionally used plants that can colonize this toxic soil is an important indicator. 2021 March 10 * 1P3A9806
