Vancouver is known for its vibrant green parks, beautiful gardens, and serene beaches. Our city makes its park space a priority, the Vancouver Park Board maintains more than 230 parks which make up 11% of Vancouver’s landmass.
But not all parks are created equal… you wouldn’t compare Thornton to David Lam!
This isn’t going to be a boring list of tourist attractions, oh no no no… these are the top tier parks in Vancouver, from a cool Vancity local. (not sponsored by Vancouver Park Board)
Dude Chilling Park
In 2012, a prankster installed a sign reading “Dude Chilling Park” at what was formerly known as, Guelph Park. The sign was taken down by the Park Board, but after a petition received 1,500 signatures of support, the prank sign was reinstalled 2 years later and now has official public art status in Vancouver.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJn3kM4gfeg/
More than anything, this park is iconic. The actual space is okay, it’s not very well kept and the park attracts an interesting crowd, that may disturb certain park goers with their secondhand marijuana smoke. But hey, you’re in East Van, you’re probably used to it.
Strathcona Park
Strathcona Park has gained a bad rap over the years. A tent city occupied the park for 11 months, which made it an unwelcoming site for most visitors.
Since then, the park has had a new grass field installed, a new track and an opportunity for a new life. The park offers a soccer field, three baseball diamonds, a track, a basketball court, a skate park, a playground and a beautiful community garden.
The facilities may be considered run-down, but if more people show this park love, the Park Board should give us some new basketball hoops.
Queen Elizabeth Park
On a less gritty note, if a visitor were to ask me which Vancouver park they should check out before they leave, I’d have to go with Queen E. It’s undeniably the prettiest park in Vancouver. The garden is gorgeous, full of beautiful colours and at the top an amazing view of the entire city. I could easily spend an entire day exploring this massive park.
Be sure to check out the Bloedel Conservatory to see the birds, general admission is only 7 bucks!
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