Urban Explorations
On lovely sunny weekends we try to get out and about in the city. Going off the beaten path in local parks and heading where we have not gone before (or have many times before because it’s just so much fun). There are only a couple of rules a) it needs to be cheap b) we have to be able to walk there.
We walked from the West End, down Davie, over the Cambie bridge, looped around and walked all the way back along False Creek via Granville Island and the Burrard Bridge. Half way through the tour, John led me up a path and into a park where I had never been before…
It’s just past Monk’s when you’re walking NW along the southside of the False Creek seawall. I had been past the park before but never knew how expansive it was. Ponds, fields, trees, and waterfalls later we had climbed all the way up a hill and had an excellent view of the city. We took a left turn, walked along a brick footpath and suddenly we were in Fairview on Laurel. Um - how did that happen?
Have you ever driven west down w6th (before it turns into w4th) and passed under a big ol’ tree-covered overpass? Well this was it, and you wouldn’t know the extent of it from the road, really. I took these pics standing on the corner of 6th and Laurel and from atop the overpass. It was a great find.
I’ve lived here my entire life and there’s still something new to discover every day - maybe one day I’ll make it to Lynn Valley, the Capilano Suspension Bridge or even up Grouse Mountain - although little discoveries like this are probably just as fun and/or impressive. We’re easily amused :p What are some of your lesser-known gems in the city ?
I learned about the “Laurel Street Overpass” (that’s what we call it) during marathon training.
It’s a fabulous way to get from the Seawall to as far as 7th while extending your “Seawall experience” and saving you from having to brave crossing traffic. It is really neat how you don’t have much of an idea that you’re perched above 6th the way it is so thoroughly covered.
oh! what a great find!
i’ve been in vancouver for 21 years and i’ve never heard of this park, not to mention actually being there…
i’d definitely check it out sometime! thanks for the tips!
For us Fairview peeps it is the local off leash dog park (including the pool the waterfall drains into) and the closest playground too!
Great during the day, dimly lit and scary at night though.
Cool - yeah there were lots of dogs around (and you could tell some had been in the water) :p
Cool post. I’ve passed by that park, but have never ventured into it. I’ll make sure to do so one day.