Author Archives: Justin McElroy

#80: Kingcrest Park “It’s never really full which is perfect.” #8 in Kensington-Cedar Cottage 4150 Knight Street For Kids B- For Adults C+ Design C+ Atmosphere B- Final Score 26.50 There are three distinct elements to Kingcrest Park: a quiet sloping green space and community garden ideal for quiet hangouts, a playground intended for smallerContinue reading “Rating Every Park In Vancouver: #80-71”

#90: Callister Park “It was a nice park to be stuck in traffic beside.” #7 in Hastings-Sunrise 2875 Oxford Street For Kids C+ For Adults C+ Design B- Atmosphere C+ Final Score 25.78 Callister is a nice park but fairly generic, the type we’ve mentioned a few times, with basic amenities but small design touchesContinue reading “Rating Every Park In Vancouver: #90-81”

#100: Trillium Park “Most people don’t know it exist. It is with hesitation that I review it for this reason!” #2 in Strathcona 600 National Avenue For Kids B- For Adults C+ Design C+ Atmosphere C Final Score 24.85 Trillium is the rare park that evolved in spite of community desires: there was pushback againstContinue reading “Rating Every Park In Vancouver: #100-91”

#110: Kaslo Park “Great new playground” #8 in Hastings-Sunrise 2851 East 7th Avenue For Kids B+ For Adults C- Design C+ Atmosphere C Final Score 24.15 A quirky park just off Renfew and 7th, Kaslo consists of a giant hill, tennis courts and playground, in a quiet area of East Van next to a co-op. Continue reading “Rating Every Park In Vancouver: #110-101”

#120: William Mackie Park “Kids need better slides and swings.” #4 in Marpole 1592 West 71st Avenue For Kids C For Adults C Design C+ Atmosphere B- Final Score 23.30 Continuing our tour of some of the city’s smaller parks, William Mackie is a small space in a sedate area in the far southwest ofContinue reading “Rating Every Park In Vancouver: #120-111”

#130: Barclay Heritage Square “A bit like walking back in time.” #6 in West End 1433 Barclay Street For Kids D+ For Adults C+ Design C+ Atmosphere C+ Final Score 22.40 Let’s talk again about heritage buildings, parks, and their intersection. Barclay Heritage Square came about in 1980s as a compromise between the park board’sContinue reading “Rating Every Park In Vancouver: #130-121”

#140: Sutcliffe Park “Well maintained flower beds.” #6 in Fairview 1318 Cartwright Street For Kids D For Adults C Design B- Atmosphere B- Final Score 21.51 A co-worker from Alberta once said that “Vancouver is a city entirely designed to maximize its views” and Sutcliffe Park is a good example of that — there’s notContinue reading “Rating Every Park In Vancouver: #140-131”

#150: Margaret Pigott Park “Great view – ocean and mountains. 10/10 bench would sit again.” #11 in Kitsilano 2743 Point Grey Road For Kids D For Adults C Design C+ Atmosphere B Final Score 20.84 More than 10 per cent of Vancouver’s parks are either West End miniparks, Wall Street pocket parks or Point GreyContinue reading “Rating Every Park In Vancouver: #150-141”

#160: Art Phillips Park “Cherry blossom!” #15 in Downtown 625 Burrard Street For Kids D- For Adults C Design C Atmosphere A- Final Score 20.13 There’s a nice symmetry with the small park surrounding the Burrard SkyTrain station being named for Art Phillips.  For those under 40 (raises hand) or who didn’t grow up inContinue reading “Rating Every Park In Vancouver: #160-151”

#170: Cariboo Park “small and not crowded.” #14 in Renfrew-Collingwood 3450 East 29th Avenue For Kids C For Adults D+ Design C Atmosphere C Final Score 19.6 The Refnrew-Collingwood area of Vancouver has more than a dozen parks across its neighbourhood, none of which are destination parks, but only one of which (Foster) could trulyContinue reading “Rating Every Park In Vancouver: #170-161”