Selfie sticks have been banned from Butchart Gardens, bringing its rules in line with many other attractions around the world.
The popular gadgets are used for mounting cameras and mobile devices, giving people an extended vantage point from which to take pictures of themselves and others.
General manager Dave Cowen said the decision was made largely due to customer input, with the ban effective Jan. 1.
Selfie sticks had already been prohibited during Butchart Gardens’ fireworks displays. Tripods and similar equipment are still allowed.
“We have been watching the evolution of the use of selfie sticks by our visitors for a couple of years, and watching the comments that we got from our visitors,” Cowen said.
Many people registered concerns in guest books and in phone calls, he said.
“Really it was our visitors, our customers who asked us to consider this.”
Cowen said the move follows similar steps at other sites. According to the website canibringmyselfiestick.com, selfie sticks are fine at such places as Alcatraz and Big Ben, but a no-no at Disneyland and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Butchart Gardens is not yet in the site’s database.
Locally, the Royal B.C. Museum continues to allow selfie sticks, while Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre allows them as long as they don’t impede the view of other patrons.
Safety was a key issue in bringing a ban to Butchart Gardens because it is such a busy place, with about one million visitors a year, Cowen said.
“Certainly, using a metal pole in crowded conditions, people turn around and can hit other people, can hit electrical fixtures,” he said.
Along with that, some of the paths at the site can be narrow and twisty, Cowen said.
“That is part of it, for sure.”
Selfie sticks can also be a distraction because they are held up in the air, Cowen said.
“People come to the gardens to enjoy the beautiful vistas, so we try and maintain a nice, quiet atmosphere.”
He said people have been very understanding about the new rule.
“We have lots of signage and our etiquette is on our website.”
