The Barge Chilling Beach sign, the second most popular attraction on Sunset Beach, has been removed.
The sign was erected on Dec. 15, 2021, exactly one month after the English Bay Barge was pushed up onto the rocks by a windstorm. Over the course of its month-long stay, the sign saw a good deal of attention from locals and outsiders alike.
“The sign was always intended to be temporary—a way to bring some holiday joy during a difficult time,” the Park Board said in a statement. “Initially, we were blown away by the overwhelmingly positive response, not just from Vancouverites, but from people all over the world.”
Indeed, even the New York Times got in on Vancouver’s barge action.
The sign wasn’t without its controversy though. Twice this month the sign had the traditional Squamish name for the beach, Í7iy̓el̓shn, spray-painted across it.
“To see it serve a second good and unexpected purpose, to spark conversations around Reconciliation, was both amazing and humbling,” the Park Board continued. “We’re so grateful to the community for letting us be a part of this incredible moment in time, and we look forward to the many meaningful conversations to come.”
As for what will happen to the sign now, a spokesperson for the Park Board told Vancouver Is Awesome that while nothing official has been decided a few ideas are in the works.
You may also have noticed two containers on the beach which some have likened to the English Bay Barge’s offspring. As happy as we’d be for the beached behemoth, those containers are actually there to collect debris on the beach according to the Park Board.
