Queen Elizabeth Park

Queen Elizabeth Park is a hilltop park in the middle of Vancouver, British Columbia, built on Little Mountain, the highest natural point in the city. From the summit, a wide view takes in the downtown towers, the harbour and, on a clear day, the North Shore Mountains rising behind them. It is one of Vancouver’s best-known places for gardens and views, and it draws locals, wedding parties, photographers and visitors throughout the year.

Established as a park in the late 1930s, the site has an unusual history. Before European settlement, the mountain was covered in forest. Later, it was quarried for basalt, which was crushed for road building in the early twentieth century, and the quarries left deep scars in the hillside. Rather than leave them, the city turned them into gardens. The Quarry Garden, a sunken landscape of flowering shrubs, waterfalls and winding paths, is the finest result and is a highlight in spring, when rhododendrons and azaleas bloom. The park was named in honour of Queen Elizabeth, the consort of King George VI, who visited Vancouver with the king in 1939, and the royal couple took part in its dedication.

At the summit stands the Bloedel Floral Conservatory, a large triodetic dome that opened in 1969 and shelters a tropical garden. Inside, visitors walk among palms, orchids, bromeliads and other tropical plants, and colourful birds fly freely through the humid air. It is a particularly welcome stop on a rainy or cold day. A small fee is charged to enter, and opening hours vary by season. Nearby, a plaza with fountains and a large abstract sculpture by Henry Moore gives the summit a civic feel, and a restaurant with views is part of the complex.

The rest of the park is open and green. Wide lawns, tall trees, a duck pond, an arboretum and flower beds fill the slopes, and in spring the cherry blossoms are a major draw. Tennis courts, a pitch-and-putt course and a disc golf course give a recreational side. In autumn the foliage turns, and in winter the evergreens and the view across a quiet city have their own charm.

Admission to the park is free, and it is open daily from early morning until late evening. It is reached by bus or by car, with parking on site. The park suits couples, families, photographers and gardeners, and a visit takes an hour or two, longer with the conservatory. Go on a clear evening for the best light on the city and the mountains.