Stanley Park, created in 1887, is an iconic Vancouver landmark and is one of Canada’s largest urban parks. Circling its outer edges is an 8.8 km long seawall that is surrounded by Coal Harbour, the Burrard Inlet and English Bay. The seawall’s construction began in 1914 and took more than 50 years to complete.
Stanely Park’s Indigenous History
Stanley Park is situated on the Coast Salish traditional territory that includes Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil Waututh First Nations. Archaeologists have discovered artefacts in Stanely Park that date back more than 3,200 years.
Stanley Park’s Military History
In 1886, the Canadian government granted permission to use Stanley Park as a military reserve. Then in 1888, Stanley Park was officially opened as a public park. But later, during World War I and World War II, the Canadian Military used Stanley Park to defend Canada’s Westcoast against potential attacks from the far east. Today, remnants of military operations can be found in the defence guns located at Ferguson Point and along various points on its western shore.
Stanley Park’s Natural Beauty
Unlike most urban parks, Stanely Park remains densely forested and looks much the same as it did when it opened in 1888. It’s home to more than half a million trees, although thousands were destroyed during three major windstorms that occurred over the last 100 years, the last big one occurring in 2006.
Elaine Allan, BA, MBA
Technology & Business Blogger
Vancouver, BC, Canada