Stanley Park was the first place I loved as I was a 22 years old Indian in the city of Vancouver. I was astonished that a city could boast of a large green area that one can feel like he or she has been transported to another world of traffic, deadlines, and student anarchy. In India we have parks, but none as large and serene as Stanley Park. It is not a park here, it is a place of refuge where you can relax and life takes its time and every minute detail counts. The Stanley park is massive- 1,000 acres of forest, trails and waterfront. It is not just a walking or jogging place to people like myself. It is a place to relax, mediate and even get inspired. On weekends I usually cycle the seawall, which covers more than nine kilometers. On one side I have ocean and on the other side there is the city skyline. The perspective is unrealistic, mountains in the background, soft waves, and the scent of fresh rain after some light drizzle. Each bend of the path is another postcard. It is not only exercise as people walk or cycle there, but also a way of being one with nature and the urban environment at the same time. The wooded roads within the park are also enchanted. My favorite place is lost lagoon. I sit and silently observe swans, duck and even raccoons. The sea is still and the birds go about their business. At that point my fears dissolve. I have spent hours there watching ripples, contemplating assignments, life and future plans. This is invaluable to a person who lives alone in a small apartment or has to contend with the stress of studying. Parks in India tend to be overcrowded and noisy whereas Stanley Park leaves space and privacy which I quite appreciate. I would say Stanley Park is fascinating in its ability to connect culture to nature. Brockton Point also has Totem Poles enclosing the stories of the Indigenous people. I recall that I used to go with my friends and be astonished by the art and history in every pole. It was like a lesson in history with people living there, with natural beauty to be learned about the Indigenous heritage of Vancouver. As a student, an Indian, I feel that it is a reminder of how culture can be used to create a place and how nature and art can live harmoniously. Another attraction is the beaches in Stanley park. The young adults like Second Beach and Third Beach. The nights in the summer are particularly quite active, people swim, sun bathe or simply hang out with friends. I have spent nights with chai in my hand as I was watching the sunset and sensing a cool breeze. It is easy and you feel that you can still manage the life despite your exams or deadline. Third Beach is even more casual and here you will get to meet musicians, artists or you will get to have a bonfire with strangers. You feel belonging to a larger community regardless of might be a new arrival in the city. Surprisingly, Stanley Park is a lively place with regard to mental and physical health. I observe young adults running, yoga or working out in groups. Cycling facilities have clubs and there are occasions when you have people performing tai chi in the morning mist. It is encouraging to observe that so many of them are utilizing the park to exercise and get the view. I have also developed the habit of jogging there as well, not only to gain physical fitness, but a breath of air. The rain is very unpredictable and the city of Vancouver is also so fast, so the park provides some rhythm that balances the day-to-day life. The park is even livelier due to the cultural events. There are regular outdoor concerts, seasonal festivals and art exhibitions. After I had attended a local music event in the Stanley Park Pavilion. It was remarkable that young adults, families, and tourists spent their time together listening to music. The park turns into a combination of art and rest, combining the social life with cultural education. It is an opportunity to experience the life of Vancouver and learn new art and entertainment, which are the goals of international students such as me. One can’t ignore the wildlife. I have spotted deer in the inner trails with the exception of the birds and raccoons. That is surprising and makes you wonder that the green heart of the city is still alive. I am a big photo taker and sometimes I take a photo to share in social media and sometimes I just share with myself. The thought of my ability to observe such scenes of nature in a city is unbelievable. It is like a privilege that every city should possess. Another strength is accessibility. It is easily accessible by means of public transport, bicycles, and walking paths. You do not have to have a car, and this is imperative among a student or young employee. It gives one the freedom to go on impulsive outdoor tours- a 30 minutes in between classes can be a full cycle round the park, lunch in a local cafe and daydream by the water. India does not offer such spontaneous outdoor escapes and, therefore, I like Stanley Park even more. Stanley Park is also a creative center. The young adults, photographers, digital creators, and painters usually pay a visit to get inspired. The unusual moods are produced by sunrises, sunsets, fog or rain. I have seen photographers attempting to take a shot of the reflection of the water, artists drawing the totem poles, and some musicians playing acoustic songs by the seawall. It is a creative ecosystem of nature and art that are merged. It is priceless to students or young adults who seek jobs with a creative nature. Here also, history lovers take pleasure. The city development is depicted in the Seawall, Prospect Point Lighthouse and Stanley Park Pavilion. As you pass these landmarks in the midst of nature, it puts the city that you are living in perspective. You come to understand that Vancouver is not a city of towers and shopping centers, it is a city with its history, stories and a strong relation to nature. Stanley Park is community and social friendly. Open spaces promote picnics and sports and informal meetings. I have been with friends on afternoons playing frisbee, having snacks, and just relaxing and letting life pass by. The park is not restrictive, you can be outgoing or secluded. The fact that freedom is imperative is because young adults have hectic schedules, social issues, or even in need of serenity. The park is also lively due to changes in seasons. The spring has flower, summer has beach, autumn has colored leaves and winter has cold misty trails. I enjoy visiting all seasons. The experience is different every time and it does not seem monotonous. This makes the city fresh and exciting to young adults like myself. The value of mental health is immense. The presence of trees, water, wildlife and open areas helps to overcome stress and be mindful. I spend a lot of time sitting on a bench on the Lost Lagoon with headphones on and watching swans go over the water. It is like counseling without the counselor. It is where one can refresh themselves emotionally, particularly when they live alone or away back home. There are also volunteer opportunities. Clean-ups, site visits, and educational activities enable community participation where young adults contribute to the community in the process of their education. The experience of being part of a weekend clean-up was rewarding since little contributions will cause the park to be even more beautiful. The park has water activities that contribute to its attractiveness. Paddleboarding or kayaking along the ocean is adventurous and relaxing. Learning and gaining personal satisfaction come through watching birds and wildlife. All visits are a combination of recreation, learning, and reflection. Stanley Park promotes informal investigation. Going without a specific route allows you to find out some secret paths, ponds, art galleries, and little gems of beauty. The experience of visiting the park is always special, and this unpredictability is one of the factors contributing to the charm of the park. Finally, the park mediates individual and interpersonal experiences. You may have friends to go cycling, jogging or have picnics or spend some quiet times reflecting or reading. It has this flexibility, thus allowing each young adult regardless of his mood to find something worthwhile there. To sum up Stanley Park is not just a park but it is the heart and soul of Vancouver. It provides them with recreation, culture, community, and mental release particularly to young adults who are 18-34 and international students. It is a mixture of the beauty of nature, ancient places, culture, artistic inspiration and social opportunities such as few city areas. It is somewhere to work out, to discover, to interact, to study, to think and to replenish. When one visits Stanley Park, they get the sense that they have entered into a world where nature, culture and community merge to create the ideal world and that is why Vancouver is not only a city, but also a home away from home to the students and young professionals.