Last modified: 2011-09-24 by rob raeside
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image located by Valentin Poposki, 1 January 2011
image located by Valentin Poposki, 1 January 2011See also:
Very interesting situation in the City of Parksville, British Columbia. The
city in the period 2009-2010 adopted two flags, both in use. One is a heraldic
flag, three vertical stripes blue-white-blue with the city shield in the center
of the white field. The flag was granted on April 15, 2010.
"Parksville's
coat of arms was the original concept of Robert Watt, Rideau Herald Emeritus,
assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. In August 2009, the
City applied to receive a coat of arms which was granted from the Canadian
Heraldic Authority at Rideau Hall, Ottawa on April 15, 2010.
A brief
description of the elements or symbolism in the coat of arms is outlined here:
Arms/Shield
The shield is based on the emblem used by the City
since 1977. The wavy band symbolizes the Englishman River and the salmon the
natural riches and fishery of the area. The salmon's coronet represents Canada.
The sun recalls the area's temperate climate, while the wavy bars indicate the
City's seaside location.
Crest (above the shield)
The mural coronet
denotes a municipality. In this instance, the addition of the three towers
honours the Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition, a major event in the local
calendar. The sand dollars evoke the City's spectacular beaches. The
representation of Mount Arrowsmith celebrates this local landmark as well as the
resources and recreational opportunities afforded by the mountains at
Parksville's back.
Compartment and Supporters
The bald eagle is
a notable local species. Its collar of red roses, the English national flower,
is an allusion to the Englishman River, and the garb of wheat on its medallion
honours the community's farming heritage. The beaver, the national animal of
Canada, represents industry and determination. Its medallion bearing a Brant
goose celebrates Parksville's status as the "Brant Capital of Western Canada."
Motto
"Terra Benevola" translates to "The Welcoming Land". The
motto evokes Parksville's many natural blessings, as well as the friendliness of
its citizens.
Flag
The flag is modeled closely on the flag of
Canada with the shield of arms in place of maple leaf.
Badge
The rose identifies the Englishman River, which forms the City's southern
boundary, while the fleurs-de-lis denote the City's northern boundary at French
Creek. The sand dollar links the badge to the arms. In 1993, when the sand
dollar was proposed for the City of Parksville coat of arms, it was, at that
time, to be the first ever use of this "unique sea creature in international
heraldry."
The second flag is based on the new logo, adopted in 2009:
"In 2009, the City adopted a new
logo identity. The wordmark with the sand dollar is a strong representation of
the character of the City -- a modern, progressive community that embraces its
natural beauty. The colour palette was chosen to reflect Parksville's intimate
connection to the beach, water and open blue skies. The sand dollar is symbolic
of the community's most dominant feature, the beach. The blue colour was applied
as a metaphor for the blue skies, clear rivers and the infinite ocean that
surround us. Both the City's logo and flag feature elements contained in the
City's coat of arms."
From the City website:
http://www.city.parksville.bc.ca/cms.asp?wpID=348
Valentin
Poposki, 1 January 2011
image located by Phil Nelson, 16 September 2009
Parksville has put its logo on a white flag. Its old flag was light blue
with the arms. The arms were from the College of Arms before the current fashion
of every tiny town getting supporters and compartments etc.
Dean McGee, 26 August 2009
The logo is being phased out, according to
http://www.city.parksville.bc.ca/cms.asp?wpID=168&evID=5258 (the patient
among you may click through to read the full council notes in a very large PDF,
the logo info is pp. 27-33) the city is adopting a new "logo identity and
branding", with the note that flags (and other materials) with the "P" logo will
be replaced with the "City identity" when they need to be reordered. The current
logo is on the bottom of pg. 27 of the PDF, but I am unable to copy/paste.
The consultant's report includes the following:
"Coat of Arms - Almost
all municipalities use a branding logo for outreach and identity. Should Council
adopt the use of a crest, it is recommended that the crest be the official seal
of the City of Parksville. This would represent the heritage of Parksville and
would symbolize the incorporation of Parksville as a city. This crest would be
used only for official purposes."
I have quoted the full passage because
of the irony that the "branding" consultant not only makes the common error of
confusing "crest" with "arms", but also Parksville was granted arms by the
College of Arms, and those arms still appeared on Parksville's flag in 2001.
Surely someone in City hall has been on staff for more than 8 years!?
Dean McGee, 16 September 2009
When I visited Parksville in August 2009, this previous logo flag was in use,
but there was info on their website about their new logo. Note that the heraldic
flag was granted this year, but nothing says it was ever flown.
Dean McGee, 2 January 2011
