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arboretum, bc, birds, bloedel, bowling, conservatory, dog, elizabeth, fountain, gardens, lawn, park, pitch, putt, queen, sculpture, tennis, vancouver, views
For some of the best views of Vancouver and the North Shore, don’t miss out on Queen Elizabeth Park. The park began as a basalt quarry in the hands of the Canadian Pacific Railway; the basalt was used to build Vancouver’s early roads. The municipalities of South Vancouver and Point Grey purchased 38 hectares in 1929 for the cost of $100,000 and after a visit from King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth, the site became Queen Elizabeth Park in 1940. An 8 year partnership with Canadian Pulp and Paper Association that began 1949 saw the introduction of many trees and the popular quarry gardens were unveiled in the 1960’s. In 1969 Prentice Bloedel gave more than 1 million dollars to the park which went towards walkways, a new plaza, Henry Moore’s sculpture Knife Edge – Two Piece, and the beautiful domed Bloedel Conservatory. Bloedel was a leader of the timber industry and lead its forest conservation efforts.
There is a lot do see and do in this park. Be sure to view the Main Quarry Garden, just west of the Bloedel Conservatory and while you’re walking there, stop at the wall’s edge for that terrific view of city, mountain, and water I described earlier. The appropriately named Dancing Waters fountain uses 85,000 litres of recycled water to amaze young and old alike; don’t be surprised to see everyone in it cooling off on a warm day. You can utilize the Celebration Pavilion for weddings and other celebrations. There’s an arboretum which makes an attempt to display all of Canada’s native trees, a pitch and putt, lawn bowling and tennis, a restaurant called Seasons in the Park, and an off-leash dog area. Be sure to visit on a clear day if you’re hoping to view the city from Vancouver’s highest point.
Located at 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC