Vancouver - Stanley Park 
Situated on a small peninsula immediately west of the Vancouver city center, Stanley Park is a 405 ha (1000 acre) park-cum-nature reserve with a host of sights and leisure facilities including an aquarium. Particularly on the western side of the peninsula there are numerous huge, centuries-old, red cedar and Douglas fir trees. Being earmarked for use if repairs were needed to sailing ships of the British navy, they escaped the woodcutter's axe and saw.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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Stanley Park, now criss-crossed by more than 80 km (50 mi.) of trails and roads, was handed over to the then new town of Vancouver in 1888 by the Governor General of Canada, Lord Stanley.
A seawall rims Stanley Park and is a popular walking, jogging, or biking path, with designated lanes for walkers and bikers. A walk around the seawall will take several hours and will often involve seal sightings. Most people just walk a portion of this path due to its length.
Stanley Park was severely affected by a wind storm that blew threw in late 2006 and knocked down many trees and caused extensive damage.
A seawall rims Stanley Park and is a popular walking, jogging, or biking path, with designated lanes for walkers and bikers. A walk around the seawall will take several hours and will often involve seal sightings. Most people just walk a portion of this path due to its length.
Stanley Park was severely affected by a wind storm that blew threw in late 2006 and knocked down many trees and caused extensive damage.
Stanley Park
c/o VancouverBoard of Parks and Recreation, 2099 Beach Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6G1Z4
Canada
c/o VancouverBoard of Parks and Recreation, 2099 Beach Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6G1Z4
Canada
Phone 1 (604) 257-8400
Fax 1 (604) 257-8427
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Brockton Point
Every day without fail an old cannon known as the 9 O'Clock Gun is fired from its position near the tip of Brockton Point in Stanley Park. Manufactured in England in 1815 it was brought to Vancouver in the late 19th c. and used to be fired at 6pm to signal the end of the fishing day.
From Brockton Point (lighthouse) there are fine views of the Lions Gate Bridge and the port of Vancouver. The cross commemorates the victims of a 1906 shipwreck.
From Brockton Point (lighthouse) there are fine views of the Lions Gate Bridge and the port of Vancouver. The cross commemorates the victims of a 1906 shipwreck.
Deadman's Island
"Discovery", or HMCS Discovery, the ship in which Captain George Vancouver surveyed the waters around Vancouver Island in 1792, is now permanently berthed at Deadman's Island (naval base).
From Halleluja Point there is a very fine view of downtown Vancouver.
The entrance to Dead Man's Island is via a bridgeat the south end of the park, that connects the island to the mainland of Stanley Park.
From Halleluja Point there is a very fine view of downtown Vancouver.
The entrance to Dead Man's Island is via a bridgeat the south end of the park, that connects the island to the mainland of Stanley Park.
Ferguson Point
As recently as 1945 Ferguson Point, another "look-out" in Stanley Park was the site of some important military installations. The Teahouse restaurant at Ferguson Point, formerly the CO's quarters, is a great favorite on account of its views.
Ferguson point is a well treed area along the seawall with fabulous views across the water.
Ferguson point is a well treed area along the seawall with fabulous views across the water.
Hollow Tree
From the "Hollow Tree", a partly hollow red cedar estimated to be between 800 and 1000 years old (about 1 km / .5 mi) beyond Prospect Point) walking trails lead to Third Beach (very popular in summer) and Shiwash Rock lying close offshore.
The Hollow Tree was once one of the parks highlights. However, the tree is no longer alive but the stump still remains as does a plaque.
The Hollow Tree was once one of the parks highlights. However, the tree is no longer alive but the stump still remains as does a plaque.
Scenic Drive
The one-way, about 10 km (6 mi.) Scenic Drive round Stanley Park begins from Georgia St., branching off past Coal Harbour with its view of the Vancouver Rowing and Yacht Club.
This Scenic Drive is a nice way to get an overview of the park. There are numerous pullouts with parking where visitors can get out and look around or begin a walking trail. The drive is very busy on weekends and in the summer, parking can be difficult to find. Most visitors to Stanley Park find a place to park near where they want to visit and then explore the area on foot.
This Scenic Drive is a nice way to get an overview of the park. There are numerous pullouts with parking where visitors can get out and look around or begin a walking trail. The drive is very busy on weekends and in the summer, parking can be difficult to find. Most visitors to Stanley Park find a place to park near where they want to visit and then explore the area on foot.
Second Beach
Second Beach in Stanley Park is a much frequented part of Vancouver. In 1912 sand dredged from False Creek was used to build up the beach and bathing huts were erected. Today the large swimming pool and wide range of leisure facilities draw crowds of visitors.
Second Beach is a particularly popular area with children and families. On summer weekends the area can be very busy.
Second Beach is a particularly popular area with children and families. On summer weekends the area can be very busy.
The Stanley Park Pavilion (Rose Garden)
When it was built in 1911 the wooden Dining Pavilion in Stanley Park housed the park administration. Today it is used as a restaurant.
Next to the Pavilion there is a pretty rose garden, first laid out in the 1920s.
The restaurant in the Pavilion features dishes that try to use local ingredients. It also offers a patio area that overlooks the garden.
Next to the Pavilion there is a pretty rose garden, first laid out in the 1920s.
The restaurant in the Pavilion features dishes that try to use local ingredients. It also offers a patio area that overlooks the garden.
Totem Poles
The famous Stanley Park totem poles are the work of various North-west Coast Indian tribes. The oldest erected here were acquired by the city in 1912. Also worth seeing is the more than 100 year-old Nootka canoe.
The Stanley Park totem poles are located near Brockton Oval, just a short distance from the seawall. An interpretive centre stands near the totem polls, along with a give shop. The totem poles are well labelled with accompanying histories and stories.
The Stanley Park totem poles are located near Brockton Oval, just a short distance from the seawall. An interpretive centre stands near the totem polls, along with a give shop. The totem poles are well labelled with accompanying histories and stories.
