Vancouver Weekend: We're Thinking....Parks

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      Need something to do this weekend? Here are five Vancouver parks where you can make the most of the sunshine.

      New Brighton Park, 3201 New Brighton Road

      The rarefied dandies of Trinity and Wall streets aside, the good people of East Vancouver don’t mind things being a little rough around the edges. That explains the affection for New Brighton Park, which has the massive port of Vancouver on one side of it, and towering industrial grain silos on the other. Look to the south and you’ll find rows of train tracks behind a barbed-wired chainlink frence, while to the north tugs pull freighters along the waters of Burrard Inlet. But if New Brighton is a little out of the way—good luck finding it, first-timers, without Google Maps—that suits East Van residents just fine. No one ever seems to be on the tennis courts, the huge soccer field is almost always empty except for the occasional kite flyer, and there are enough barbecue pits for the biggest of family-reunion picnics. On the beach there are endless piles of driftwood to either throw in the water for your dog or stack up for illegal bonfires (not that we condone such things). Things get busy in the summer, when New Brighton’s widely popular outdoor pool opens, and finding parking becomes mission impossible after 6:23 a.m. For the rest of the year, though, this refreshingly underused spot is one of East Van’s true—not to mention truly gritty—hidden treasures.

      A Saturday farmer's market and off-leash dog park makes Trout Lake a popular spot on weekends.

      Trout Lake (John Hendry Park), 3300 Victoria Drive

      Many know it as Trout Lake, but the lush green space in the Kensington–Cedar Cottage neighbourhood is actually called John Hendry Park. Named after the owner of one of Vancouver’s first lumber operations, the 27-hectare park offers everything from picnic areas to playgrounds, walking and jogging trails to tennis courts and soccer fields. When the weather gets warm enough, visitors can also take a dip in the designated swimming area, which has lifeguards on duty from May through September. Take your furry friend(s) to the park for some fresh air—there is a 26,000-square-metre off-leash area at the north end of Trout Lake. In addition towildlife habitat and recreation facilities, this community park also hosts a weekly Saturday farmer’s market and an annual lantern festival. Yes—this green haven is only a short 20-minute drive from Downtown Vancouver, and offers amenities to people of all ages. Let the kids run free, the seniors nap under atree, and the adults snack on some brie cheese.

      You can hit the green, have a picnic, or play a match of tennis at Rupert Park.
      City of Vancouver

      Rupert Park, 3402 Charles Street

      In terms of every realtor’s favourite mantra—location, location, location—Rupert Park isn’t exactly prime. It’s situated in a quiet residential ’hood that’s just shy of the Burnaby-Vancouver border and not the easiest to access by transit. But there’s a reason that Vancouverites flock to the space on sunny afternoons: its pitch-and-putt. Open daily, the course’s manicured, rolling hills and dispersed water hazards make it a great option for golfers looking to avoid the bustle of downtown pitch-and-putts—and for a slightly lower price, to boot. If golf’s not your thing, Rupert also boasts a well-kept playground, four tennis courts, and plenty of green where you can challenge your friends to a football, badminton, or volleyball match. A concrete path that loops around the park is ideal for runners, and a number of benches and picnic tables offer a welcome spot to take five. Bring a book if you have a free afternoon—you’ll want to stay a while.

      Pumped-up music is forbidden at Spanish Banks West, which is designated a quiet beach.
      Lara Khambatta

      Spanish Banks Beach Park, 4900 Northwest Marine Drive

      Where else north of 41st Avenue will you see so few people on a Sunday afternoon in early April? That’s just one reason why this peaceful slice of paradise is a favourite of introverts, book lovers, and spiritual seekers. In fact, Spanish Banks West has been officially designated as a quiet beach, which means amplified music is vertboten. For families and extroverts, the park board allows barbecues and even provides the picnic tables at Spanish Banks East. There’s also an off-leash dog area for Rover if you’re tired of him encountering all those pitties at Trout Lake. Jocks can play volleyball, go kiteboarding over the water, and cycle or jog along designated paths. The nearby homes offer plenty of eye candy for architecture lovers. There’s tons of parking, stunning views of the North Shore mountains, and a quick jaunt to nearby Pacific Spirit Regional Park if you feel like hiking in the woods. And a short drive away, there’s the world-class Museum of Anthropology at UBC. No wonder this is a neighbourhood preferred by Vancouver’s one-percenters.

      CRAB Park combines a kids' playground, stunning views, and public art.

      CRAB Park at Portside, 101 West Waterfront Road

      Slightly west of Main Street’s northernmost point lies one of Downtown Vancouver’s most expansive and, in our opinion, underappreciated green spaces. Tucked in between the Port of Vancouver and the edge of Gastown, CRAB Park at Portside is loved by many for its secluded location and stunning views of the city skyline and the North Shore mountains. There is almost too much to love about this 3.3-hectare hidden gem: a cozy beach lined with driftwood provides a casual lounging spot or the perfect place for sun-filled lunch break, while a large field stretching from one end of the park to the other is big enough to facilitate a game of touch football or ultimate frisbee. Shaded grassy knolls and cedar groves make ideal picnic spots, while dog owners won’t have to worry about letting their pets roam free, as a large portion of the park is a dedicated off-leash area. A sizable playground makes it a great place to take children, while more contemplative visitors might enjoy taking in the park’s various public-art pieces, which include a mosaic honouring the Komagata Maru, a memorial stone for murdered and missing indigenous women, and a series of First Nations pieces. Another reason we love this park? Its history. The name “CRAB” came from the name of the 1987 campaign by the Crab-Water for Life Society to “Create a Real Accessible Beach” for Vancouverites. 

      Running every Thursday, Vancouver Weekend spotlights five Straight-approved places around the city worth discovering.

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