Not to be confused with New York’s Central Park, Metro Vancouver is home to our very own Central Park! Conveniently located next to Patterson station on the Expo Line, this 213 acre park is a great choice for those who want to surround themselves in nature.
Central Park is also a short journey away from Alexander College’s Burnaby campus so students can easily visit the park before or after classes.
Established in 1891, Central Park was once a naval reserve where the trees located within the area was used to build parts of ships for the British Royal Navy. You can still observe some of the stumps left behind by logging today.
These stumps were left behind as their provide habitat and nutrients for young plants and you can even observe seedlings sprouting from them.
The park features a well-preserved temperate rainforest ecosystem and two man-made lakes. The lakes provide habitat for a variety of waterfowl and marine wildlife. One notable species is the Canada goose, which is unofficially considered part of the Canadian national identity.
Unfortunately, Central Park is also home to a few invasive plant and animal species and local organizations are part of the ongoing effort to reduce the impact of these invasive species.
This 2.5km looping trail located in the heart of Central Park is a great way to enjoy the park. Taking an average of 27 minutes to complete, this gravel path does not feature any significant elevation gain, making it accessible to visitors of all ages.
One unusual feature that you can find along the Trail of Hope is the presence of various exercise machines. These were installed between 2012 and 2014 to replace the old wooden ones. These machines include an exercise bike, monkey bars, and more.
There are a total of 12 fitness stations located in Central Park and they are recommended for use by people over the age of 13.
Central park features two main picnic sites (named site#1 and site#2) which collectively have 40 picnic tables and a capacity for 300 people. Both picnic areas are located close to Swangard Stadium and have public washrooms in their vicinity.
Here are some things to keep in mind if you want to use the picnic areas:
Open to the public in late spring to the end of summer, the Central Park Outdoor Pool is a great place to stay cool in warmer weather!
Before you go, keep in mind that swimming in the pool is not free but there are Loonie Swim times throughout the week when people can enjoy the pool at a discounted cost. Holders of a Be Active Pass can use their pass here.
The City of Burnaby website has up-to-date swim schedules for the Central Park pool and other swimming facilities in Burnaby.
Central Park Pitch & Putt is an 18 hole pitch and putt (a sport very similar to golf) which is open daily 40 minutes after sunrise to dusk. For those who are curious about the sport, the facility offers equipment rentals at a cost.
For bike enthusiasts, the Central Park Perimeter Trail is the best choice to cycle around Central Park. This 3.5km long rubberized track makes it the perfect trail to have a leisurely bike ride around the park.
There will be other people sharing the path so make sure to watch for pedestrians and other cyclists!
Formerly home of our local soccer team, the Vancouver Whitecaps, this multi-purpose stadium was build in 1969. Swangard Stadium is named after the founder of the stadium, sports journalist Erwin Swangard.
Despite the Whitecaps’ departure from the stadium in 2010, this stadium still sees frequent use by other sport teams and hosts various other events such as Vancouver’s annual Canada Bubble Tea Festival, the largest bubble tea festival in Canada!
Aside from SkyTrain access, Central Park also features four parking lots in different areas of the park, giving visitors the choice to park closer to various facilities. Parking in Central Park is free, so you don’t need to worry about parking fees.
As the title suggests, you’ll want to bring a bottle of water and some comfortable shoes for walking around when visiting the park. There are no vending machines or stores located in the park itself so you bring enough water to stay hydrated during your visit!
Surrounded by forests, it may be hard to tell where you are while you walk along the trail. Fortunately, signs are a common sight around the park and they will show whether or not you’re on the right path.
There are also various signs and notices regarding fire safety in the summer and the maximum allowed speed for bicycles so keep an eye out and make sure you follow the rules!
Not only is Central Park a great place to visit during the summer, it’s also a great spot for spring and fall photos! In the spring, Central Park is an easily accessible spot for cherry blossom photos and the abundance of trees in the park makes it a prime spot to capture the gorgeous colors of the autumn season.
Parks are a great place to take a break from work and studies while getting some exercise. Not only are you surrounded by nature, you can also get a feel for the local community from the people who frequent the park.
So, what are you waiting for? Visit your local park today!
International Students in Vancouver
If you’re a current student at AC who loves to explore Vancouver, contact us at social@alexandercollege.ca and you may have a chance to be featured in a future blog and video.
Alexander College acknowledges that the land on which we usually gather is the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory.
Alexander College acknowledges that the land on which we usually gather is the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory.
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