Burnaby Lake Park

Located in Central Burnaby, Burnaby Lake is very large. There is a 11.6 km trail circling the lake. The south side of the lake has a wonderful forest set in a bog. This forest seems almost tropical, especially in the warm spring rains. There are signs warning of wild bears and wild cats in the area.
There are a tremendous amount of facilities in and around the park. There are horse facilities and horse trails, several bird sanctuaries, a wildlife centre, a rowing pavilion, C.G. Brown Pool, Burnaby Lake Sports Complex, Burnaby Lake Tennis Club and public tennis courts, a Rugby Club, and fields for all types of sporting activities. The trails around the lake are well used by Marathon runners. Next to the park is the Canlan (8-Rinks) Ice Sports complex, and recently several more sports fields have been built. I believe this is the greatest collection of sporting facilities in the Vancouver area.
Photographed by Michael Delac

Deer Lake Park

Deer Lake, located in the suburb of Burnaby, is probably the best of all the local parks of Vancouver. Approximately 400 acres of English gardens, Deer Lake Park is an urban park which remains mostly unused by its local population. This is the place to go when you want to find some peace in a busy city. This urban gem has a great diversity of vegetation for such a small park. You can, in about an hour, strolling around this park and see an old evergreen forest, landscaped gardens, great fields (once a prison farm), beaches, and many deciduous forests. About 100 years ago the whole area was clear cut, then subdivided into estates for wealthy
locals.

Photographed by Tony Delac

Every time of year Deer Lake can be worth a visit and can surprise those who have visited or years. The Lake rarely freezes long enough to skate on, but when it does it is a magical treat.

Photographed by Michael Delac

This is an image of Ceperley House, one of the many estates built at the turn of the past century, which today houses Burnaby's Art Gallery. Behind the Gallery is an amazingly, restored, botanical garden worthy of admission. The old Ceperley House estate has recently been converted to an outdoor theatre of 8,000, which holds contemporary musical acts.

Photographed by Michael Delac

Van Dusen Botanical Gardens

Van Dusen Gardens is located in central Vancouver at Oak street and 37th Ave. This garden is open to the public for a fee and amounts to a private park for the locals. This Botanical park is maintained year round. In the early spring, the Garden holds an annual British Car Show of several hundred exotic and antique British Cars, which is well worth the regular admission.
Photographed by Michael Delac

Stanley Park

Stanley Park is located beside the Vancouver's downtown core. This 1,000 acre park is filled with an old growth evergreen forest, and many tourist based facilities. This park houses Vancouver's Zoo, Aquarium, and Rose Garden. There are three beaches, very popular with locals and tourists. There a a few note worthy restaurants on the Drive or pedestrian Seawall Promenade which circles the Park. Stanley Park is surrounded by the ocean and is a must for all tourists visiting Vancouver's downtown core, if at least for the photographic views of the North Shore mountains. Photographed by Michael Delac

Queen Elizabeth Park

Queen Elizabeth Park located in central Vancouver at Main street and 33rd Ave. The highlight of this park is its Bloedel Conservatory and botanical gardens located on the top of this "little mountain." Its botanical gardens are very good and free, but worth admission. The park also holds many sporting facilities, including Nat Bailey Stadium.
Photographed by Michael Delac

Lighthouse Park

Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver is a naturally rugged and wild park. The Park is surrounded by ocean on three sides. The Park has a hill in its central core with views for miles over the ocean. The Park is frequented by local and international hikers. There is enough terrain to excite even the most experienced hiker and photographer. Beware of wild Bears. There are few other facilities other than a lighthouse and a Scout Camp.

Photographed by Michael Delac

Central Park

Central Park, near Metrotown in Burnaby, is most noted for its sporting facilities. Vancouver's professional soccer club, the Whitecaps, play out of Swangard Stadium, this is also the scene of many Track and Field events. The Park holds a Pitch and Put golf course, many public tennis courts, two small lakes, and a large children's play ground.

Photographed by Michael Delac