Place yourself in your favourite park. Can you hear the sound of children laughing? Feel the hot sun on your scalp? Smell the damp woody earth? My voice may be with you on this trip through your imagination, but its impossible for me to know which, of the more than 200 Vancouver parks, you chose to travel to. The amazing diversity of the park system makes it even harder to narrow down a Best Of for our city parks. You answered on Twitter, enthusiastically naming parks we had occasionally never heard of. That helped. So did the Parks website and a whole lot of communal knowledge. Where one might find refuge in remnant woodland, another might breathe deeply amidst the manicured splendour of a city garden. Seawall or rugged beach? Secluded trail versus Vancouvers most visited? No matter what your pleasure, weve found ten special parks and a few more surprises that are sure to make your day.
Go on a date
Vancouvers horticultural crown jewel, Queen Elizabeth Park, is the second most visited park in Vancouver and one of the most beautiful public gardens anywhere in the world. During the day, its recreational activities range from athletic to horticultural and include golf, tennis, lawn bowling, disc golf, an extensive outdoor arboretum and the indoor Bloedel Floral Conservatory. If you and your date just want to stroll, the seasonally changing Quarry Gardens astounds residents and tourists alike, viewed either from the parks upper reaches or from the bottom looking up. An abundance of trees over 3,000 throughout provide shade in summer and colour in fall and plenty of private spaces for quite conversations. It is also often the backdrop to spectacular wedding photos. As the highest point in Vancouver at 152 m (501 ft) above sea level, located practically city-centre, the views of the skyline are equally impressive. As the sun sets, reservations for dinner at Queen Es Seasons In The Park would be the perfect surprise (604-874-8008). And afterward, stargazing on the arching bridge located back down in the Quarry Gardens has sealed many a date with a kiss. Cambie Street at West 33rd Avenue.
Hold a big event
If your group is less than 50 people and you are not at a designated picnic site, space is available for gatherings in city parks on a first come basis; BBQs, blankets, lawn chairs and small tables are OK. You must obtain a permit if your group is larger than 50 people or if you wish to use a designated picnic site. Of the 12 designated sites, Ceperley/Second Beach boasts one of the best locations in the city, seating 110 people under shelter and providing three cold water sinks and four electrical outlets (15 amp). The site is also adjacent to Stanley Park, a public playground, pitch and putt, public pool, accessible pay parking stalls and, perhaps most importantly, washrooms. Second Beach was a favourite with Vancouver pioneers in the 1880s, being the beach to go to for church socials, family groups and of course, to cool off. Off Second Beach, Stanley Park.
Eat
Vancouvers vast park system means almost any park will be adjacent to a world-class restaurant of some kind, but notable recent additions include Cactus Club Restaurant and Concession overlooking English Bay (604-681-2582), Tap & Barrel at False Creek with views of BC Place and downtown (604-685-2223) and the June expansion of the popular food cart program into Vancouver parks for a one-year trial. Food carts are now at two locations in Stanley Park the information booth (Feastro the Rolling Bistro; 604-868-9339) and totem poles (San Juan Family Farm; 604-883-9159), and outside the Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park (PazzaRella Wood-fired Pizza; 604-626-5663).
Discover
From atop a grassy knoll or the small pier jutting into Burrard Inlet, CRAB Park at Portside is an ideal place to get an intimate look at Vancouvers working port, with views of the colourful containers, cruise ships, heliport, and SeaBuses. Arriving from the Main Street overpass, two Chinese lion statues frame views of the peaks of the Lions; several more monuments and sculptures can be found throughout the park. An off-leash area, washrooms, two playgrounds and a spray park add to the appeal of this little-known vantage point. The park was opened in 1987 and named Portside Park, as suggested to the Park Board by the Vancouver Port Authority, however a neighbourhood park committee Create A Real Available Beach (CRAB) was active in supporting this greenspace and in 2004 the name was changed to CRAB Park at Portside. 101 E Waterfront Road.
Jog
Pacific Spirit Regional Park out near the University of British Columbia offers 73 km of nature trails (some wheelchair accessible) traversing to ocean beaches, upland temperate rain forest, bogs and the Fraser River estuary. The trails on the east side are known for their smoothness, while the ones to the west side are more rugged and raw. The forests in this park provide important habitat for wildlife so fitness buffs are asked to stay on any of the 33 established routes (in-the-buff buffs are encouraged to head down the 542 stairs at Trail 6 to the clothing-optional Wreck Beach). Heading west across Vancouver, access points to Pacific Spirit Park trails include off N.W. Marine Drive, 4th, 16th, 19th, 21st, 29th, 33rd and 44th Ave., and along S.W. Marine Drive. MetroVancouver.org.
Swim
Vancouvers nine indoor pools are open year-round with conveniently extended hours, making it easy to fit in length swimming, aquafit classes or swim lessons. Park Board pools are located throughout Vancouver, affordable and accessible for all. The Park Board also operates four large, outdoor pools: one outdoor neighbourhood pool and three destination, beachside pools (open during the summer).
Second Beach Pool in Stanley Park is a beach entry-style pool on the shores of English Bay.
On the east side of the city, New Brighton Pool located north of the PNE offers regular length swimming and a beach entry for toddlers.
The neighbourhood pool in South Vancouver is Maple Grove Pool.
A smaller outdoor pool operates at Hillcrest Centre near Queen Elizabeth Park.
Kitsilano Pool offers easy access for children and has views spanning from the mouth of the bay, across the North Shore mountains to Stanley Park. To accommodate every type of water-baby, the pool is divided into three sections running lengthwise: a shallow section for families and small children, a roped-off middle lane area for lap-swimmers and exercisers (lifeguard enforced), and a deep end for more casual adult and teen swimmers. At 137 metres (150 yards), its Canadas longest pool almost three times longer than an Olympic pool. As it is the only salt water pool in Vancouver and one of few in the world, its our pick for coolest pool in the city (2305 Cornwall Avenue).
All the pools are heated and accessible to persons with a disability. Hours vary.
Bring your dog
Dogs are welcome in all Vancouver Parks, however off-leash privileges are only available during specific times at 35 selected locations. As a dog owner, you probably already have your favourite park near your home, but if you want to explore the city a little bit, we recommend Musqueam Park (4000 S.W. Marine Drive at Crown Street) and Fraser River Park (8705 Angus Drive at W. 75th Ave,) as underlooked gems.
Musqueam is a large park of predominantly lush natural forest, containing a series of quiet horseback and walking trails lined with fern and thimbleberry. While Marine Drive is quite busy, there are many safe areas to explore.
Tranquil and inspiring, Fraser River Park achieves balance between natural and designed settings. There are two off-leash beaches with sandy areas and a large, grassy field. The west side of Fraser River Park is off-leash all year, all day. Be prepared for a messy dog at the end of your visit!
Both ranked very highly on the online dog-owners community Doglantis.com, which is a handy reference on conditions of Vancouvers dog parks. Within Vancouver parks, dog owners must share the area with others and are always responsible for the actions of their dogs, including picking up and disposing of their waste. Dogs must also be licensed.
Go as a family
Even though a certain park may be geared towards children, mom and dad need to enjoy the visit as well. With that in mind Stanley Park is the obvious choice: 8.8 km of seawall surrounding 150,000 trees and 27 km of trails is an imagination factory for kids and kids-at-heart. Within the park, a replica Canadian Pacific Railway miniature train winds along 1.25 miles of track, through tunnels an trestles and 150-year-old forest. Stanley Parks Ceperley Meadow was the site of Vancouvers first playground (parents will enjoy the view), and the park now contains four in total, including a free water park near Lumbermans Arch packing water cannons, geysers and wading areas. Horse-drawn wagons offer educational tours; the Vancouver Aquarium (Canadas largest) provides up-close-and-personal learning opportunities with amazing West Coast wildlife (annual membership pays for itself in two visits!); Theatre Under The Stars has been entertaining audiences and the neighbouring peacocks since 1934; and the salmon demonstration stream, beavers in Beaver Lake, Lost Lagoon swans and two swimming beaches are great ways to interact with the Stanley Park waterways. Deeper within the city, Andy Livingstone Park (89 Expo Boulevard) and John Hendry Park/Trout Lake (3300 Victoria Drive) provide ample recreational facilities and scenic areas to satisfy all tastes and provide a bit of respite from the world.
People watch
As the downtown cores most populated beach, and attractive to people of all ages, English Bay at the intersection of Denman and Davie streets provides the most diverse cross-section of city-folk in the summer. Vancouvers first self-proclaimed lifeguard, Joe Fortes, resided here in a beachside shack just after the turn of the 20th century, protecting and teaching swimmers. Many private homes and hotels once blocked access to English Bay (also known as First Beach) before the Park Board made it a long-term objective to purchase private properties and remove obstacles to the publics enjoyment of the waterfront. Now buskers, volleyball players, cyclists, families and West End residents all meet along this large stretch of sand, a mere 30-minute walk from downtown. In summer, laughing kids conquer the floating slide and parents appreciate the full-time lifeguard. Its also the most central spot to lay down a blanket and watch the sun set before the Honda Celebration of Light international fireworks competition (Aug. 4 Italy).
Day trip
Nestled on the mountainous North Shore, Lynn Canyon Park officially opened in 1912 and has been a popular destination among tourists and Vancouver residents ever since. The Baden-Powell trail attracts hikers of all abilities from across Greater Vancouver. The park has grown from 12 acres in its early years to 617 acres today and contains second growth forest, with most of the trees aged approximately 80 to 100 years old. Built when the park opened, a suspension bridge sways 50 metres above the canyon. The bridge connects the extensive hiking trails on the two sides of the canyon and is part of the Baden-Powell Trail; while it is now free to cross, at one time visitors were charged a toll of 10 cents. Walking and hiking trails connect to other parks in the region such as Lynn Headwaters, Rice Lake, and Inter River Park. On the north side of the suspension bridge, the trail to the left leads you northwest through the park to the popular 30-Foot Pool, one of the most popular locations among tourists and locals due to its large picnic area and beautiful swimming hole. In summer months you will find several visitors taking a quick refreshing swim to cool off. Take care, however, as the water is extremely cold year-round. If you are driving, take upper levels Trans Canada Highway 1 until you reach exit 19. Follow Lynn Valley Road northeast past the Mountain Highway intersection, and then continue to Lynn Valley Road. Watch for Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre sign on the right hand side of the road. Turn right onto Peters Road, and you will find the main entrance at the end. LynnCanyon.ca.
Fun Finds:
Street Trees Walk The Walking Tour of Vancouver Street Trees is a 3.3 km route that starts at Almond Park (12th and Dunbar). This tour provides an opportunity to get outdoors while enjoying a sampling of some of Vancouvers mature street trees. Full brochure here.
Deering Island Park Located on a small island in the Fraser River, Deering Island Park is a semi-natural area perfect for enjoying the peaceful views of the river and tidal marshes. In late summer, the park is filled with dragonflies and the sweet scent (and flavour) of blackberries. 3530 Deering Island Place.
Hastings Park Known more as the grounds of the PNE and horse track, Hastings Park also includes stunning sanctuary ponds and a formal Italian garden. Il Giardinos distinctive Italian-style plantings include pear, lavender, mulberry, and grape and the fountains and channels of the gothic water feature add soothing sounds to the garden. From the large childrens play area to the opera walk, Il Giardino Italiano is a five-course feast for the eyes. The area also includes a popular skatepark with views of the gardens and mountains beyond. Meanwhile the sanctuary overflows with greenery and bird calls. The pond feature is the result of daylighting a stream contained by a culvert for over 50 years, combined with rainwater collected from the neighbourhood to the south. A series of bridges, winding pathways, riparian plantings and tucked-away seating areas makes this a delightful find for visitors, as well as an important example of ecology in urban areas. 2901 E Hastings.
