Vancouver is home to more than 250 parks that range in size from small neighbourhood green spaces to large flagship natural areas and everything in between. According to the Vancouver Park Board, all of these spaces account for approximately eleven percent of Vancouver’s landmass. They provide opportunities for recreation, to connect with nature and a reprieve from the bustle of a large urban metropolis. While Stanley Park, the city’s largest and most famous, was Vancouver’s first official park, it was far from the last. Vancouverites have been enjoying their parks since 1871, the year Stanley Park was officially transferred to the City of Vancouver to be used as a public park. I hope you enjoy this collection of historical photographs featuring twenty different parks and natural areas from in and around Vancouver.
189-? – Photograph shows a man standing under the arch in front of the bridge into Stanley Park.1908 – Photograph shows bathers at Kitsilano Beach Park, and Stanley Park and Downtown Vancouver in the background.191-? – Bathers at English Bay Beach Park1910 – Photograph shows three people on the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Capilano Canyon Park.192-? – Photograph shows the Industrial/Women’s Building and a roller coaster at Hastings Park193-? – Exterior of Hastings Mill Store Museum at Hastings Mill Park1940 – Two women pushing strollers in Robson Park.1940-1948 – View of Point Atkinson lighthouse at Lighthouse Park.1941 – The Narvaez Pageant at Ambleside Park. Photograph shows a re-enactment of First Nations awaiting European sailors to come ashore.1948 – Woman looking at the view from Queen Elizabeth Park1969-1983 – Woman and child making crafts with popsicle sticks in Mount Pleasant Park.1971-1981 – Children, bicycles, and concession stand at John Hendry Park.1971-1981 – Girls at outdoor table tennis table at New Brighton Park.1977 – View of Jericho Beach from Jericho Park.1978-1983 – Photograph showing a view of the South False Creek Seawall from Charleson Park.1985 – Nitobe Memorial Gardens, UBC1985 – Oppenheimer Park.1985 – Item is a photograph which appears to have been taken at VanDusen Botanical Gardens.1986 – Dr. Sun Yat-sen Classical Chinese Garden.
1987 – “Gate to the Northwest Passage” sculpture by Chung Hung, Vanier Park.
The photos above were collected from the City of Vancouver Archives. If you’re interested, additional information can be found for each photograph on their website. Stay tuned for additional posts featuring historical photos from Vancouver, British Columbia, and across Western Canada. We’d love to know what you think in the comment section below.
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