Stanley Park

Stanley Park is a 405-hectare forested peninsula in Vancouver, British Columbia, bordered on three sides by Burrard Inlet and English Bay. Originally military reserve land, it became a public park in 1888 and is today one of the most visited urban parks in North America. The 8.8-kilometre Seawall encircles the park perimeter and offers continuous views of the North Shore mountains, cargo ships in the inlet, and the Lions Gate Bridge; the path is shared by cyclists and pedestrians and can be completed on foot in about 2.5 hours or by bicycle in 45 minutes. Brockton Point, near the park's eastern entrance, houses nine totem poles representing several First Nations peoples and provides a popular photo stop with the downtown Vancouver skyline behind. The Vancouver Aquarium, located inside the park, is home to beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, and Pacific Northwest marine species; tickets are sold separately from park admission. Second and Third Beaches offer sandy stretches with the mountains behind, while Beaver Lake in the park interior is quieter and favoured by birders. The park contains over 500 species of trees, including some Douglas firs estimated at over 500 years old. Horse-drawn carriage tours operate from the park entrance near Georgia Street for visitors who prefer a narrated circuit. Free shuttle buses run through the park on summer weekends, reducing vehicle congestion on the main perimeter road.