Metro Vancouver Park Series: George Wainborn Park
byThe following contribution to the Park Series is by Gus of GusDigital.com.
George Wainborn Park
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I was asked by Rebecca on Twitter the other day if I would like to write about a park in Vancouver that I visit regularly as a guest blogger. As I’m familiar with a few in my area in Yaletown, I decided I would write about George Wainborn Park.
How to get there by Transit: The C21 community shuttle (Yaletown/Burrard), any bus going over the Granville Bridge (04, 07, 10, 16, 17) followed by a short walk.
Size: 2.49 hectares
History: The park was opened in early fall of September 2004 in honor of George Wainborn, who was Vancouver’s longest running parks commissioner serving up to 1990 for 33 years.
Among his many accomplishments, Wainborn was a leader in the creation of Stanley Park’s Miniature Railway, played a key role in starting the Carol Ships program, and initiated lighting of the magnificent grove of elm trees on Beach Avenue at Bidwell each Christmas season. A recipient of the Freedom of the City in 1991 and Order of Canada in 1999, he died in September 2003.
Costing $5.1 million to complete, the 2.5 hectare park is located at the south end of Richards Street and south of Pacific Boulevard featuring a children’s play area, a water fountain and pond, and a great grass area.
Notes: Most evenings you will find people gathering around the mid park area with their dogs, including Junior and I. Though this is not a “leashless park”, most owners let their dogs run and play with other dogs (just be careful of ticket officers, who will ticket if your dog isn’t on a leash or if their license is not up-to-date).
The great green grass area is used by many to sun bathe in the summer and some will play Frisbee or fly kites with their kids. Though during last years Civil Strike, the park was hurt by the neglect and is slowly returning back to its former glory.
This park is enjoyed by many in the area and is part of the Sea Wall that runs along False Creek North.
You can read more from Gus on his blog, GusDigital
7 Comments — Comments Are Closed
Great post and lovely pictures. Even though I am neither a Yaletowner nor a Yaletown promoter, I enjoy coming to this park quite often. Although truth be told, I’m much more of a False Creek kinda guy.
Why are people against Yaletown anyway? Guess that’s another story huh?
I like the photos! Still enjoying this series on your blog Rebecca and great job by the guest bloggers who talk about the parks in their city! I need to explore the outskirts of the downtown core more I guess and not just stick to the west end.
Yikes I just noticed a slight error – “green grass area is used by man to sun bathe” should read “green grass area is used by many to sun bathe”.
Maybe it was a Freudian slip 🙂
Well unless it was meant as ‘man’ like mankind uses it to sun bathe 😉
@Tyler hahaha I read it that way as well – it’s fixed now, thanks Gus!
+! on this park–it’s my favourite urban park in Vancouver.
Who designed this park? It’s strange [and not nice for the designer] that the Parks Board news release doesn’t give honor to that person by telling us.
I find most of the features really great But those rocks! Why are they there? They look so lonely!