Hinge Park and Habitat Island are parts of a mid-sized park on the western edge of Olympic Village. Both are significant for their status as some of the first dense urban restoration. Both are very popular stops situated along the False Creek Seawall.
Habitat Island was created as part of federal guidelines to compensate for the lose of natural shore line when Olympic Village was created. It is entirely created by people. All the same great efforts have gone to introduce natural species and promote the island as a marine bird sanctuary. Hinge Park is an interesting land reclamation park built to accommodate a more natural wetland space similar to what once existed, while balancing it with traditional park spaces.
For an urban park, there is a surprising amount of wildlife. Gulls, turtles, frogs, and fish are common, but so are coyotes, otters, raccoons, and even a rather well-known pair of beavers. In 2016, they had a set of three kits that can occasionally be seen. This, of course, led to a lot of trees being felled, but wire now protects them.
Locally, Habitat Island is known as Beer Island for its excellent location as a spot for drinkers or for the mountain of garbage and cans that litter this place. Plenty of signs strongly discourage such behaviour, as do regular patrols.
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