Central Park (Burnaby)
Encyclopedia
Central Park is a 90-hectare (222 acre) urban park in Burnaby, British Columbia
, founded in 1891.
The park is located on the Vancouver
-Burnaby border, just west of the Metrotown
shopping complex, and is bounded by Boundary Road on the west, Kingsway on the north, Patterson and Willingdon Avenues on the east, and Imperial Road on the south. The nearest SkyTrain station, Patterson Station
, named for Burnaby pioneer Dugald Campbell Patterson
, is at the park's northeast corner. The main entrance to Central Park is off Kingsway
near Patterson Avenue.
Central Park was once a naval reserve set aside as a source of masts and spars for ships of the Royal Navy
. The park was named to honour Mrs. David Oppenheimer
, the wife of Vancouver's second mayor, who was born in New York City
.
Central Park's primary attraction is the large proportion of its land reserved as a well-preserved temperate rainforest ecosystem, with numerous walking trails. Among its other attractions are the award-winning children's playground, pitch and putt golf, an outdoor swimming facility, a lawn bowling facility, several picnic areas, tennis courts, and a couple of small duck ponds. Wildlife in the park includes grey squirrels
and coyote
s.
Swangard Stadium
, another Burnaby landmark and a former home for the Vancouver Whitecaps soccer team, is located at the northwest corner of Central Park.
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, founded in 1891.
The park is located on the Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
-Burnaby border, just west of the Metrotown
Metrotown
Metropolis at Metrotown is a shopping mall complex in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. With over 450 shops and services, it is the largest mall in British Columbia, and the 2nd largest in Canada...
shopping complex, and is bounded by Boundary Road on the west, Kingsway on the north, Patterson and Willingdon Avenues on the east, and Imperial Road on the south. The nearest SkyTrain station, Patterson Station
Patterson Station
The Patterson Station of the SkyTrain system is an elevated station located on the Expo Line in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. It is the westernmost Expo Line station in Burnaby.-Location:...
, named for Burnaby pioneer Dugald Campbell Patterson
Dugald Campbell Patterson
Dugald Campbell Patterson Sr., is recognized in Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster, British Columbia as a significant pioneer. He arrived in Canada on July 1st, 1884 and engaged in the building trade while living in Victoria...
, is at the park's northeast corner. The main entrance to Central Park is off Kingsway
Kingsway (Vancouver)
Kingsway is a major road that crosses through the Canadian cities of Vancouver and Burnaby, British Columbia. Originally called Westminster Road, it was renamed Kingsway in 1913....
near Patterson Avenue.
Central Park was once a naval reserve set aside as a source of masts and spars for ships of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. The park was named to honour Mrs. David Oppenheimer
David Oppenheimer
David Oppenheimer was a successful entrepreneur, the second mayor of Vancouver, British Columbia, and a National Historic Person of Canada.-Early life:...
, the wife of Vancouver's second mayor, who was born in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Central Park's primary attraction is the large proportion of its land reserved as a well-preserved temperate rainforest ecosystem, with numerous walking trails. Among its other attractions are the award-winning children's playground, pitch and putt golf, an outdoor swimming facility, a lawn bowling facility, several picnic areas, tennis courts, and a couple of small duck ponds. Wildlife in the park includes grey squirrels
Eastern Gray Squirrel
The eastern gray squirrel is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus native to the eastern and midwestern United States, and to the southerly portions of the eastern provinces of Canada...
and coyote
Coyote
The coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
s.
Swangard Stadium
Swangard Stadium
Swangard Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Central Park in Burnaby, British Columbia. Primarily used for soccer, football, and athletics, the stadium is home to the Simon Fraser Clan football team. The stadium was home to the Vancouver Whitecaps of the NASL...
, another Burnaby landmark and a former home for the Vancouver Whitecaps soccer team, is located at the northwest corner of Central Park.