British ColumbiaCommunity members say the log, which sits at almost two metres in diameter and over four metres long, is a favorite place for many to sit, rest and watch the sunset.Giant cedar tree trunk has been a resting place for locals and visitors for decadesMichelle Gomez · CBC News · Posted: Sep 24, 2025 10:58 PM EDT | Last Updated: 7 hours agoTom Digby (top), park board commissioner, stands with supporters David Fine (bottom) and Anita Bonnarens (right) on the giant cedar log. (Ben Nelms/CBC)Nestled on the shore of a small beach at the foot of Trafalgar Street in Kitsilano rests a large, cedar tree trunk. Last week, the Vancouver Park Board quietly made the decision to leave the log in place following public backlash that began in July when park board staff began work to remove it. The old cedar trunk, which reaches almost two metres in diameter and over four metres long, has been on the beach since at least the ’70s, according to Park Board Commissioner Tom Digby. “There’s too much cultural relevance, it was too important to the community to remove it,” Digby said. Park board staff had initially planned to remove the log over safety and engineering concerns. The log, which is currently propped up against the seawall, is expected to cause damage.A giant cedar log is pictured near Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. (Ben Nelms/CBC)”Large logs can act as battering rams against shoreline structures like sea walls, pathways, and stairs. Removal of logs is sometimes necessary in order to protect infrastructure,” reads a statement from the park board. However, the park board said full removal comes with challenging logistics, substantial cost, additional risk, and staff time. “It was determined that the remaining segments of the log would be left in place and allow nature to take its course, either via tides or through eventual degradation from the elements.” Digby says after staff began removing the log, they realized the removal would cost almost the same as repairing damage it causes. “There’s costs either way … so they just decided to leave it and I’m very grateful that that’s the outcome they came to,” Digby said. Although there was no announcement from the Park Board, Digby says the decision was confirmed last week. The tree that became the giant cedar log is estimated to have been about 800 years old. (Ben Nelms/CBC)Digby says based on the rings in the trunk, the tree is estimated to have been about 800 years old. He says while it is unknown where the trunk came from, it is a reminder of the city and province’s history in logging and the damage that has been done to old-growth forests. “How they could cut down an 800-year-old cedar tree, and then lose it in the ocean and not even use it for any constructive purpose is just staggering to us,” he said. “People come down here and they see the Trafalgar log and they’re reminded of the history and the beauty of this place.” More than just a logCommunity members expressed outrage on social media in July after city staff cut out a chunk of the trunk. For David Fine, it’s more than just a log. It’s a symbol of natural beauty, a resting place and the perfect sunset viewpoint. “It’s a peaceful bit of nature right beside the very busy Kits beach, and the log is like this ending point,” Fine said. “It’s sort of become iconic without it even being intentional.” Kitsilano resident David Fine is pictured standing in front of the log. He says he is relieved the Park Board has decided to leave it in place. (Ben Nelms/CBC)Anita Bonnarens remembers the first time she saw the log when she moved to Kitsilano seven years ago. “It was a kind of energy, I felt I was connected to the land.”For Bonnarens, seeing the community connect and rally around something as simple as a log has inspired her and given her hope. “I do believe that if we care for the little things, we can also care for the bigger things our city is facing.”ABOUT THE AUTHORMichelle Gomez is a writer and reporter at CBC Vancouver. You can contact her at michelle.gomez@cbc.ca.
Beloved giant log will remain at Vancouver beach after community outcry
