For a quick overview of the city’s waterfront, check out these three attractions: the Stanley Park Seawall, John Lawson Park, and the Centennial Beach Seawalk. These parks are also located within easy walking distance of downtown Vancouver. But, which one should you try first? These four attractions are both worth visiting! Here, we’ll take a look at what makes each one unique, and how they’ll benefit visitors.
Stanley Park Seawall
Cycling along the seawall of Stanley Park is a popular way to see the area. The 5.5-mile-long (9-kilometer) circular trail takes in many of the park’s landmarks. Parking is available at nearby Stanley Park lots, but you must pay to park there. April through September, it is $3.25 an hour; from October to March, the rate is $2.25. Access to the park is from English Bay or West Georgia Street.
The 8.8-km seawall around Stanley Park is a great way to explore the area. The seawall stretches along the water and is open to walking, cycling, inline skating, and wheelchairs. The 8.8-km trail is accessible for all ages and abilities, and you can walk or ride your bike to reach all areas. There are many entrances on the seawall, so you can find one that suits your needs.
Visitors will find cultivated plants in the summer months and can enjoy an outdoor theatre and miniature train ride. A popular area for strolling and picnicking, Stanley Park also features the Vancouver Aquarium. This park is famous for its seawall, which is made of stone. It was built to help prevent erosion of the foreshore. It has two lanes for bicycles, pedestrians, and wheelchairs. Some sections of the seawall are also paved for inline skaters and wheelchairs.
The park features playgrounds, gardens, and an 18-hole pitch and putt golf course. Visitors can also enjoy the seaside swimming pool or the water spray park. In addition to the seaside pools and beaches, Stanley Park also features a track for track sports. Monuments and views are also prominent in the park. There are a few statues that are located near the seawall. The park also has a variety of historical markers and monuments.
Millennium Park
There are many reasons to visit Millennium Park, Seawall West Vancouver. This peaceful park is a great place for family outings, meeting new people, and sunbathing. If you are in West Vancouver, make sure to check out this park’s website for information. It is an excellent location for walking the Seawall, so take a break from the city. Millennium Park, Seawall West Vancouver is located near Ambleside and Dundarave.
Located between John Lawson Park and Ambleside Beach, Millennium is a great place to spend a sunny day. It’s close to Marine Drive, and there are views of the ocean from this park. Millennium is also connected to the West Vancouver Seawall, which stretches from Ambleside to Dundarave. You can also take a dip in one of the many pools or spas at the park.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities at Millennium Park, which was recently the site of the Harmony and Arts Festival. This beautiful park sits on the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean, and features a grassy area with accessible beachy shoreline. You can walk the seawall or stroll the park’s paved paths, and you can catch a live show at the Millennium Arts Festival. It is also home to a beer garden and a stage for live music.
As part of the project, crews will be removing two old concrete pads east of Millennium Park. The work is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, February 16, and is expected to last approximately six weeks. There will be fencing around the construction site to prevent any distractions and ensure public safety. However, this will disrupt the pathway through Argyle Gardens. This is expected to be complete in the spring of 2021. If the project goes as scheduled, the new park area will open up in spring 2021.
John Lawson Park
The famous playground at John Lawson Park, Seawall West Vancouver is a favorite destination for families in the North Shore. Located along the waterfront at the foot of 17th Street, the park features swimming, a water park, playground equipment and picnic areas. You can also enjoy the sunset from the park’s pier. If you’re bringing the kids, check out the park’s annual pirate festival to learn about the city’s pirate history.
The home of Alfred Lloyd, a former sailor who was rescued from a schooner by Navvy Jack, was built in the 1890s and is now the home of a family. Lloyd Williams’ house was maintained and remodeled over the years. The property is listed on the Heritage Inventory, but is not currently designated. As of April 2016, the home is owned by the District of West Vancouver.
Millennium Park is located just next to John Lawson and Ambleside Parks. The park offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and is connected to the West Vancouver Seawall. The West Vancouver Seawall extends from Ambleside to Dundarave. You can also play pitch and putt golf here. For a relaxing day at the park, you can even bring your dog along and relax by the water.
Cypress Provincial Park is located within the municipal limits of West Vancouver. It was a venue of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The community is also home to the nation’s first shopping mall, Park Royal Shopping Centre. Located south of the Trans-Canada Highway, it is accessible by car. Aside from Cypress Provincial Park, the area also offers mountain biking and a snowboarding resort. It is one of the major connecting points between the mainland and the Vancouver Island.
Centennial Seawalk
If you’re in the mood for some waterfront strolling, head to the West Vancouver Centennial Seawalk. It connects Ambleside Park to Dundarave Park and offers scenic views and public art. There’s even a special dog-friendly section with a dedicated walkway for your dog. And, with more than 70 kilometers of trails, you’re sure to find one that suits your needs. This walking path is 3.5 kilometers long.
The Centennial Seawalk West Vancouver is a moderately-trafficked trail that hugs the shoreline, offering breathtaking views of Burrard Inlet. Most people choose this path for sunrise and sunset strolls, and it’s easy to see why. It starts at Ambleside Park and ends at Millenium Park, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Stanley and Lions Gate Bridges. However, if you have children in tow, don’t try to take them on bikes – they’re not allowed on the trail!
If you’re looking for a scenic stroll, head to the Centennial Seawalk in West Vancouver. The popular 1.7-kilometer pathway has scenic views of the Burrard Inlet, the Coast Mountains, and the Vancouver skyline. However, the seawalk was damaged by a storm surge on January 7. Repairs started in March and are still underway, but the public is asked to bear with the inconvenience for the time being. For example, the dog walk was closed from May 10 to 12 while crews cleaned up debris. But it’s now open again!
The West Vancouver centennial seawalk is a 1.7-kilometre-long stretch of seawall that runs from 18th Street to Dundarave Park. The seawall has many pedestrians, and the district is concerned that the elderly and handicapped citizens may feel uncomfortable walking on the seawall. As a result, district officials are asking joggers to limit their runs on the seawalk on weekends and to keep their distance from pedestrians. However, these measures are only temporary – the Seawalk is usually busier on weekends, and municipal staff are not available seven days a week.
Lost Lagoon
Located near the entrance of Stanley Park, the 16.6-hectare artificial body of water known as the Lost Lagoon is a great destination for water recreation. A 1.75-kilometer trail winds around the lake, giving you the opportunity to get up close and personal with the waters. For an unforgettable experience, take a picnic and enjoy the sights. You can even go for a swim if you’re feeling particularly energetic.
Once a part of Coal Harbour, the Lost Lagoon has undergone a transformation from a muddy marsh to a lake. In fact, it was the site of a shallow part of the harbour before the Causeway was built in 1916. During the era of the causeway, the water was just barely deep enough to accommodate boats, but today, you can enjoy the view from a boat.
The Stanley Park Seawall is an expansive waterfront walkway that includes sections of Lost Lagoon. The seawall is approximately 10 kilometers long, and provides wonderful views of Vancouver. However, one section between the Lions Gate Bridge and Sunset Beach has been closed to the public until 2022. Unfortunately, the Vancouver Park Board is not doing its part to help the local environment. Fortunately, there are many other attractions and amenities in the park to enjoy while you’re here.
For a truly magical experience, be sure to spend some time in the Lost Lagoon. You can watch mallard ducks, Canada geese, and cackling geese. You can also spot glaucous-winged gulls, northwestern crows, and rock doves. Sometimes, great blue herons will even visit the lagoon for their nesting season. You can even see them in winter!
Among many other things, David A. Grantham is a contributing author to UmassExtension West Vancouver Blo. He is a renowned expert on real estate in BC.
Born in North Vancouver, Louisiana, Dr. Grantham grew up in Lower Lonsdale. He then went on to complete his business degree at the University British Columbia. As of this writing, Grantham has completed over 100 projects, including the development of a high rise building in Vancouver.
He is a husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He was a dedicated outdoorsman and enjoyed sports such as hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and snow skiing. His wife, Alison Grantham, and their two daughters survived him. He is survived by his wife Alison Martin Grantham and two daughters.