Renfrew Ravine is one of Vancouver’s lush local secrets. If you’ve never walked the forested ravine in the middle of the city, you are missing out. And it’s not just the forest in the city that is a surprise, but the artwork you find along the way. There’s even a labyrinth. I first walked the trail when I was collaborating with artist Carmen Rosen on developing a tour for the Rivershed Society of BC. We co-hosted the tour for Jane’s Walks one year, in honor of the late great urbanist, Jane Jacobs.
The 10th Annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival on September 29th will give you the chance to walk the trail in the moonlight. The festival celebrates the full moon and harvest abundance in the Renfrew Collingwood neighbourhood. The evening event begins in Slocan Park with food, music and art. The lantern parade starts at twilight and winds up at Renfrew Park field for tea and moon cakes, dancing and fire spinning. Carmen started the first annual festival in 2003 in collaboration with the community. The Moon Festival is a co-production of her Still Moon Arts Society and the Renfrew Park Community Association.