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There are many parks in Vancouver and their purposes are
wide and varied. From the carefully groomed areas, such as
Van Dusen Botanical Gardens and Bloedel Conservatory to
bicycle racing at China Creek Park and from baseball
during the warm summers to soccer and rugger in fall and
winter, parks of Vancouver are always in use.
Second
only to the city’s largest park, Stanley Park, is Queen
Elizabeth Park. Situated atop Little Mountain in the
geographical center of the city, this park covers over 55
acres of ground. The area was formerly a rock quarry with
its product being used to pave city streets. In 1928, city
purchased the land and over the years transformed the
quarry into today’s park. The sunken gardens are part of
the old quarry and it is easy to recognize their former
state, when viewed from the higher vantage points.
Dominant
feature of Queen Elizabeth Park is the massive geodesic
dome of Bloedel Floral Conservatory, which houses over
three hundred species of tropical florae as well as
tropical birds, which fly free inside. Dome is made up of
15 meters of glass.
Van
Dusen Botanical Gardens, located on Oak street, covers 55
and half acres and contains seven small lakes and over
3300 different species of plant life.
These
gardens are continually being modified, but contain
strategically located greenhouses, a Children's Garden, an
Herbal Garden and a Fragrance Garden and an amphitheatre,
which shows films. These features, plus a host of
interesting and beautiful displays make Van Dusen Gardens
a delight for casual visitor, as well as serious
horticulturist.
As well
as these more formal parks, there are many miles of beach
parks in Vancouver. One can start at the foot of Burrard
bridge, at Vanier Park and proceed around the beach to
Kitsilano Park, with its tennis courts and large
salt-water pool. Continuing further along the shore drive
are Jericho Park and Marine Drive Foreshore Park, which
extends from Spanish Banks, around past University of
British Columbia to the Musqueam Indian Reserve.
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