Words by Dennis Begin
If you were to ask where is Vanier Park in Vancouver, you would probably get a wrong answer. With over 240 parks in the city, it's quite understandable. On the other hand, if you were to mention the Honda Celebration of Light Fireworks at the entrance to False Creek, most people could identify the park. Vanier Park also hosts other events such as the Vancouver Children's Festival, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival and the Kite Festival. What first draws your attention, however, is the beauty of English Bay, Sunset Beach and the high rise condos of the West End. There is much more to Vanier Park.
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A city park since 1967, Vanier Park extends from the Burrard Street Bridge west to Elsje Point (Kitsilano Point) and is adjacent to Hadden Park. Harvey Hadden was a Vancouver businessman who bought the land from the C.P.R. and later donated the land to the city. His beach now serves as an off-leash dog park.
The 22.77-acre park was opened in May 1967 and named after Major General Georges-Philéas
Vanier, the 19th Governor-General of Canada. Vanier fought in the Great War, was wounded three times and received the Military Cross for Bravery. Vanier was Governor-General under two Prime Ministers, John Diefenbaker (PC) and Lester B. Pearson (Lib). This French Canadian was known as a great Canadian nationalist who opposed the separatist movement in Quebec.
Museum of Vancouver (MOV)
When entering Vanier Park off Chestnut Street, you will see a large white futuristic building dominating the skyline. Architect Gerald Hamilton designed the building to resemble a woven basket hat made by the Coastal Salish First Nations. The unique design is a reminder that Vanier Park and Granville Island originally made up the ancestral village of Senakw (Snauq), under the leadership of Chief August Jack Khahtsahlano (Kitsilano) of the Squamish First Nation. As for the large stainless steel crab in front of the museum, it represents the crabs that guard the harbour in Indian mythology.
The MOV was a Canadian Centennial project in 1967, dedicated to understanding Vancouver history. The museum is a combination of two large buildings, the Harry R. MacMillan Space Centre/Planetarium (Star Theatre) and the larger Vancouver Museum which features local history. Some of the Feature Exhibits include Haida Now, Wild Things (Power of Nature) and Neon Lights/Ugly Lights of Vancouver. Historical Galleries include Cesna'em (City Before the City) and various decades of Vancouver history such as the Sixties.
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Maritime Museum
At the far western end of Vanier Park is the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Opened in 1959, this museum features everything connected with the sea. There are exhibits of model ships, uniforms, Captain Cook's charts, shipwrecks, fireboats, lighthouses, and a hands-on Children's Discovery Centre. An Arnold 176 chronometer used by Captain George Vancouver from 1791-1795 is a prized possession. Other attractions include the Fo'c'sle of Captain Vancouver's famous ship the Discovery, the T.K. Gallery and a tribute to the early adventures of Greenpeace. Despite all the exhibits, the major attraction remains the St. Roch.
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The St. Roch
The St. Roch was built in North Vancouver in 1928 by Burrard Shipyards, especially for the R.C.M.P. and Arctic travel. The name caused some controversy, being named after a parish and riding in Quebec. The vessel was equipped with both sails and a diesel engine, 8m x 32m (25 ft x 104 ft) and cost $80,000 to build. The schooner was designed with a rounded hull to manoeuvre through the ice or spend the winter locked in the ice. Under the command of Sergeant Henry Larsen, eight officers brought law to the Western Arctic and strengthened Canadian sovereignty. During its historic voyages, the St. Roch was the first vessel to travel through the Northwest Passage, first from west to east (1940-42) and then east to west (1944). It was also the first vessel in 1950 that sailed through the Panama Canal to Halifax, NS, making it the first to circumnavigate the entire North American continent. Decommissioned in 1954 and renovated as a museum piece, the ship was opened to the public in 1974. Because the vessel was so large, an ‘A-frame' building was built over the ship. In 1962 the St. Roch was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada.
If you are interested in more marine history, the Heritage Harbour is adjacent to the Maritime Museum. Classic boats go on display, such as the SS Masters and the BCP-45, the seiner used on the back of the old Canadian five-dollar bill. Another vessel featured is the Yellow Submarine, named the Ben Franklin. This submarine was famous because of its exploration of the Marianas Trench and the Gulf Stream. The song Yellow Submarine by the Beatles has nothing to do with this real working submarine. Lastly, the Oarlock and Sail Wooden Boat Club use the marina to work on and display small wooden boats/models. If you have the urge to go to sea, take a False Creek Ferry back to Granville Island.
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Other Attractions
Because Vanier Park is a wide-open park, there are interesting public art pieces on display, such as the Chain-link Mosque Sculpture and the Gate to the Northwest Passage.
On the south side of Maritime Museum is a 30 m (100 ft) totem pole, carved for BC's Centennial. The name is Kwakwaka'waka Centennial Totem Pole. The carver was Chief Mungo Martin from the Kwakiutl tribe.
On Whyte Avenue is the City of Vancouver Archives, a repository of government documents, photos, personal records and the primary evidence of history.
Other attractions include the Gordon Southam Observatory, Canadian Coast Guard, Burrard Civic Marina and the BMX Bike Park for kids.
Regardless of your interests, Vanier Park seems to offer something for everyone. The park has educational and historical sources, adventure and science, art and architecture. It is easy to spend a day at the park, walking, biking and jogging, or just sitting and enjoying the beauty of English Bay and the City of Vancouver.