I chose to write about Stanley Park as it holds a special place in my heart. It’s one of the first places we visited after landing in Vancouver. Now, we know it rains in Vancouver, but we did not expect to wait three weeks before we saw a sunny day. When the sun finally came out, we decided to get out of the house since we live in downtown Vancouver, we took a quick bus to Stanley Park. Our bus dropped us off at a stop where you can access most of the Stanley Park attractions. Our journey to explore one of the world’s largest parks started on foot. We started walking towards the sea wall. It’s a path that wraps around Stanley Park and connects its beaches.
Our experience was mesmerizing, and since we are a nature lover, we find this park perfect for us. It is full of distinct shades of green to beautiful hues of blue. The ocean and sky seemed to blend and touched somewhere beyond the horizon. Since then I have visited Stanley Park during every season and trust me, it’s beautiful no matter the weather. Whether it’s spring or winter, its beauty will amaze you. The calm and peace of the park are unbelievable. It’s perfect for your first walk as a couple, your child’s first bike ride or for an evening walk with your parents, to talk about their endless life experiences. It’s a paradise for photographers as their photos will come to life.
Stanley Park is full of seasonal activities. From Easter egg hunts, Christmas trains, ghostly nights to festive lights. Every part of the park is full of beauty and adventures for all age groups. Each time you visit the park, you will find something new to fall in love with. It is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Vancouver.
Some facts about Stanley Park
Now, this park is extensive and if we talk numbers then its 405-hectare that borders the west-end of Vancouver. It has an impressive history and is one of the first areas that visitors explore when they came to the city. In 1886, they named the land after Lord Stanley, the appointed Governor-General. Ever since its start, it’s been evolving between forest and urban space. They built most of the structures in the park between the years 1911 and 1937, but the famous polar bear exhibit, aquarium and miniature trains were post-war additions.
Most of the park is forested and has approximately half a million trees, some standing as tall as 76 meters and hundreds of years old. In the past 100 years, there have been three wind storms that caused significant damage and loss of many trees, the most recent being in 2006.
The attractions of Stanley Park
Stanley Park encompasses the Vancouver Seawall, lush forest trails, local beaches, the Vancouver Aquarium, tennis courts, a brewery, restaurants, a swimming pool, a pitch & putt golf course, exquisite gardens and playgrounds.
The best of the best
Stanley Park is a treasure trove of beauties, but one piece that stands out from the rest is Stanley Park’s Hollow Tree. This famous 700-800-year-old Western Red Cedar tree stump holds an incredible part of Vancouver’s heart and is the most photographed landmarks. Many historical photos have showcased people, cars, and even elephants inside the Hollow Tree. After 2006 windstorm, the City of Vancouver was working on to take out the tree stump, but the residents stepped up with a strategy to stabilize the tree.
Fun Fact
At 9 pm sharp every evening, you can hear a cannon firing through the air. We know this as the Stanley Park’s Nine O’clock gun. Believe it or not, there’s some history surrounding this daily tradition. Over 200 years ago, in 1816, the gun was initially in England and was brought to Stanley Park over 70 years later. The installation took place in June 1984, with the help of the Department of Marine and Fisheries. The purpose was to warn fishers of the 18:00 Sunday close of fishing. On October 15th, 1898, the gun was shot for the first time at noon.
The Lost Lagoon Lake
Just when you think Stanley Park couldn’t be anymore biodiverse, you’ll find it has The Lost Lagoon. This body of water contains a series of ponds, has a lighted fountain in the middle and provides a sanctuary for many birds. It is the largest lake within the park, and to the surprise, it is accessible by a short trail.
