ESTHER SHORT — The city of Vancouver is preparing for an exciting summer season with repairs to the pavilion stage and installation of a new gazebo at Esther Short Park, at West Eighth and Columbia streets. The pavilion and the gazebo area were fenced off and closed to the public during the project.
Esther Short Park hosts thousands of visitors each year for the Vancouver Farmers Market, arts and cultural festivals, charity fundraising events and gatherings of friends and family. Work on the pavilion and gazebo is expected to be completed in May.
Dry rot was found in the columns of both the pavilion and the gazebo during routine maintenance checks at the end of 2022. The pavilion columns can be restored, but the gazebo was beyond repair and was removed for public safety. A new steel gazebo will be placed in the same location once fabrication is complete.
In addition to the column repairs, the pavilion stage will receive updates to its electrical system, have missing decorative elements restored, be cleaned and painted, and have moss removed from the roof.
Esther Short Park remains open, but visitors should avoid fenced areas during construction and maintenance work.
