One of Vancouver's crown jewels is getting a big boost to help ensure a healthy future.
Stanley Park is now part of a first-of-its-kind network of greenspaces across the country. The Cornerstone Parks initiative was created by national nonprofit Park People in order to revitalize Canada’s largest urban parks.
The partnership also includes High Park in Toronto and Montreal's Mount Royal.
According to Parks People, "Large urban greenspaces house valuable ecosystems that are critical to biodiversity and mitigate climate change. Many do not realize their critical role in absorbing carbon, and increasing ecological and social resilience. Specific to this moment, 82% of Canadians said parks have been more important to their mental health during COVID-19."
The program comes with federal funding that will help the Stanley Park Ecology Society remove 10,000 square metres of invasive species and plant 500 native trees and shrubs.
