If you’re looking to explore the west side of Vancouver, you’ve got some great options. These include community centers, parks, and the Golden Ears Provincial Park.
Porteau Cove Provincial Park
Porteau Cove Provincial Park is a beautiful place to explore. It is on the edge of Howe Sound. The park is open year round. You can visit the park for fishing, camping, hiking, and scuba diving.
If you want to spend a day on the water, Porteau Cove offers two double-wide boat launches. You can also take a ride on the cable car to the summit lodge.
The Chief Mountain Cable Car was built in 2014 and is accessible to all. The cable car provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and allows you to see towering mountains and giant granite cliffs.
Porteau Cove is popular amongst scuba divers. The park offers a variety of marine life, including humpback whales and harbour seals. Many visitors flock to the park’s artificial reefs. These are made from concrete piles and steel beams.
Porteau Cove is known for its scuba diving, swimming, and windsurfing. There are also some fantastic hiking trails.
Porteau Cove Provincial Park is located on the eastern shore of Howe Sound. During the summer months, the beaches are busy, but it’s not too difficult to find a spot to park. There are sixteen walk-in campsites, plus 44 drive-in sites.
Porteau Cove is home to many species of birds and wildlife, including cougars and humpback whales. Visitors should keep campfires within the designated fire rings. Keep in mind that beach fires are not allowed.
Porteau Cove is a small provincial park that requires visitors to follow the park rules. To prevent environmental damage, it is recommended to use biodegradable soaps and leave no trace.
There are two cabins that can accommodate four people. The park has a large day-use area, outdoor showers, and a boat launch.
Golden Ears Provincial Park
Golden Ears Provincial Park is a beautiful place with plenty of natural splendor to enjoy. Located in White Rock, BC, Golden Ears offers visitors a variety of opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy the wilderness.
The park features a large lake, mountains, waterfalls, and rugged backcountry. This makes it a perfect location for a range of outdoor activities, from horseback riding to hiking.
There are numerous hiking trails in the park, ranging from short treks to longer, more challenging backcountry treks. Visitors can also enjoy boating on the lake, or kayaking and canoeing.
Visitors can find out more about the park by checking out the information kiosk located in the park’s main gate. Those who would like to hike can follow one of the many designated trails to the top of the peaks. Alternatively, a visit to the nearby Alouette Lake can provide a relaxing respite.
One of the most scenic stretches of road in the entire region is Highway 7. Golden Ears is located along this highway, which means it’s easy to reach from Vancouver. In addition, the park is only about an hour drive from Maple Ridge.
If you’re planning on visiting Golden Ears in the near future, it’s important to make reservations for camping spots. There are three campgrounds in the park: Golden Ears summit, West Canyon, and Gold Creek. All of the campgrounds have wheelchair-accessible toilets, and some have showers.
Visiting Golden Ears in the summer is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. Although the park is closed in the winter, there’s plenty to do in the warmer months. During these seasons, visitors can also find many flora and fauna, including mountain goats and black bears.
Ambleside Park
Ambleside Park, located in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, is a popular waterfront park for locals and visitors. It offers a wide range of activities for children and adults. Among these, there is an off-leash dog area and a playground. There are also picnic areas and sports fields. Whether you’re planning a day out or a night at the beach, Ambleside is sure to be a fun experience.
If you’re looking for a quiet and peaceful place to relax and enjoy the views of the ocean and Burrard Inlet, you should try Ambleside Park. The water here isn’t as clean as the beaches of other regions in the Lower Mainland, but it is still safe for swimming and fishing.
One of the best features of Ambleside Beach is its connection to the nearby Dundarave by the Centennial Seawalk. This path allows for leisurely strolls along the shoreline while providing a panoramic view of the passing boats.
The beach is also home to the Ambleside Pier, which is a popular fishing spot. During the summer, a lifeguard is on duty. The pier is wheelchair accessible.
Ambleside Park is also home to a variety of events and festivals. These include the Persian New Year Fire Festival in mid-March and the Ambleside Live Rock Festival in late August.
In addition to these attractions, the park offers a skateboard park, golf course, and a playground. The park is surrounded by beautiful beaches and is a great place for families to spend a day together.
You should also check out the park’s newly renovated skateboard park. Visitors can take their dog for a walk around the park’s 3.52 hectare off-leash area. The playground has a number of slides and creative climbing options.
Lighthouse Park & Whyte Lake Park
West Vancouver Lighthouse Park and Whyte Lake are both great recreation spots for visitors. These parks feature easy trails to explore. They have a number of coastal trails and forest trails.
Lighthouse Park is a National Historic Site in West Vancouver, Canada. It features scenic trails and old growth forests. The park is open year-round. This park is also home to the 1912 lighthouse.
One of the best hikes in West Vancouver is the Whyte Lake Trail. This is a short trail that takes you through a beautiful creek. You will pass through old growth Douglas Fir trees. A small lake and marshlands are also nearby.
Whyte Lake Park is one of the largest parks in West Vancouver. The park is located between Nelson Canyon Park and Cypress Provincial Park.
The hike is only 5km round trip and is dog friendly. You can continue on the trail to Eagle Bluffs or Eagle Ridge. There are benches along the shore. The park also has a day use picnic area.
A shorter walk is the Crescent Beach Trail. The sandy beach is perfect for smaller kids. Picnic benches are nearby. While this is a shorter route, the scenery is similar to the West Dyke Trail. Another good option is the Wreck Beach Trail. Although this trail is not as scenic, it includes views of Vancouver mountains.
Another popular hike is the Cypress Falls Trail. This is a short hike that takes you through a forest of moss-covered trees and past two waterfalls. Near the beginning, the trail is a little steep. However, once you reach the second waterfall, it is a lot easier.
North Vancouver is also a great hiking destination. The trails in this area include waterfalls, canyons, and creeks.
Community centers
The West Vancouver Community Centre is the social and civic heart of West Vancouver. It anchors a complex collection of public buildings that includes a gym, two gymnasiums, an Olympic size swimming pool, a multi-use meeting and event space and a host of other amenities. Designed by Canadian architects Fast + Epp, the centre aspires to be an urban destination of the likes in a city of its size.
One of the more interesting features of the Centre is the glass atrium. A three-level glass atrium with an operable skylight serves as the narrated tour of the new complex. This glass atrium was designed to mimic the natural landscape by providing views of the surrounding area. In the spirit of open-air living, the centre boasts a public lawn where children and pets are welcome to play and picnic.
The Community Centre is also home to an impressive array of sustainable features. It features an array of insulated windows, an operable skylight, and recycled decking for the building’s facade. There is also a state-of-the-art waste management system. To complement its green credentials, the Centre is located next to the recently expanded West Vancouver Aquatic Centre. With its large and small scale amenities, the centre will serve as the hub of West Vancouver’s health and wellness community.
Other features of the West Vancouver Community Centre include an onsite youth and fitness centre, two large and small gymnasiums, multi-use meeting and event spaces, and a host of other amenities. For the discerning citizen, the Centre is the place to be. Located at 2121 Marine Drive in West Vancouver, it is easily accessible by car or ferry. Among the numerous other advantages, the Centre also provides convenient access to the nearby Great Lawn and Gleneagles Golf Course.
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.