“Swing on by!” is what neighbours say to neighbours when a heartfelt invitation is meant. “Swing on by” is sincere. It’s an extension of friendship. It’s a visit you squeeze in even if you don’t have to – just for the smile and the warmth of a friend.

Burnaby Heights is full of 360 friendly merchants who welcome you as family. Half of them live in the area. This is their ‘hood, too. They know their customers and their customers know them. It’s where you can overhear employees chatting with customers: “What’s new with the family?”, “Are you still coaching your kids’ soccer team?”  or “Are you going anywhere on vacation this year?” 

It’s a place where friendships are real, and community is built and renewed, every day.

These diverse businesses, with all the goods and services you need for your daily living, are easy to access by multiple modes of transportation, with lots of free parking around if you’re hauling kids and grocery bags around.

So when we say, “Swing on by!”  it isn’t a slogan. It’s real. We’re your neighbours, and we want to know you better. Come visit, and let’s keep building this special community together.

About the Street Banners

The Heights’ street banners have decorated our streets since the mid-1990s. In homage to our neon Swinging Girl, “Helen,” local Burnaby artist, Vanessa Yip, created an illustrated girl on a swing. Two versions of the banners were created. The first – with cherry blossoms, was installed in the Spring of 2023. The second version will be installed in Fall of 2023, with autumn leaves instead of cherry blossoms.

About the Artist

Vanessa is a professional artist who works in 2D animation, illustration, and graphic design. She draws (pun intended!) inspiration from classic hand-drawn films, nature, and the many wonderful people around her.

Born and raised in Burnaby, BC, Vanessa has many fond memories of drawing since she was very young and, even as a child, dreamed of becoming an animator when she grew up. However, art became less and less of a focal point until mid-way through her Communications degree; she decided to pursue her childhood animation dream. With her path recalibrated, Vanessa received a Bachelor of Arts at Simon Fraser University and then completed Capilano University’s 2D Animation & Visual Development Diploma.

Vanessa recently worked as a 2D Background Artist on “Rick and Morty” and an unannounced Netflix show with Bardel Entertainment. She also works as a freelance graphic designer for local organizations, such as Urban Ink Productions.

Vanessa is incredibly proud to have worked with the Heights Merchants Association to create special Spring and Fall editions of Burnaby Heights street banners. This is her first public art installation project, and she is thrilled her version of the famous “Helen” gets to swing through the Heights community.

Check out more of Vanessa’s wondrous artwork here.

About the Swing

Helen, the Swinging Girl neon sign has swung over Hastings Street since 1958, when business woman Helen Arnold commissioned the piece for her Helen’s Children’s Wear store. This unique kinetic sign has since become an iconic landmark in the Lower Mainland, easily recognizable by thousands of people of every generation. The sign was restored in 2009 with new typography, now reading “HEIGHTS” to honour the community whose sign it had become. 

For more information on the history of the Neon Girl, visit

The Heights Swinging Girl | Art Gallery Collections (burnabyartgallery.ca)