Queen Elizabeth Park

Attractions

Queen Elizabeth Park's commanding location makes it the home base of a diverse number of attractions including one of Canada's best arboretums, the Bloedel Floral Conservatory, exquisite quarry gardens and a top notch restaurant. The park's main attractions are listed below for your information.

Arboretum

As early as October 1949, the quarries' surrounding slopes were starting to be planted as an Arboretum, with the long-term goal of displaying every tree species native to Canada, at least those that would prosper in Vancouver's climate, over time. The first tree was planted that year, initiating a larger planting program in cooperation with funding from the Canadian Pulp and Paper Association, a partnership that spanned eight years with a cumulative donation of $40,000. Today staff are still adding both exotic and native trees to the ever-changing stock of the park's woody sentinels in this comprehensive collection. Several times a year Park Board arborists lead "tree walks" through the arboretum identifying the many fascinating specimens.

Celebration Pavilion »

A wonderful new facility for weddings, civil unions and other special occasions and receptions is now available for booking online. The beautiful backdrop of stylish Queen Elizabeth Park Plaza, with its dancing fountain and nearby impressive views, make this a terrific choice for your next special event.

Get more details and book your wedding at www.celebrationpavilion.com.

Bloedel Floral Conservatory »

Bloedel Floral Conservatory, the spectacular triodetic dome capping Queen Elizabeth Park, is filled with dazzling displays of exotic plants, tropical flowers, colorful 'Koi' fish, and eye-catching birds. Come in and say "hello" to Charlie, our charismatic Cockatoo, while you enjoy the captivating beauty of palms, bromeliads, and the many other exotic plants from around the world that make their home here!

Fountains/Plaza

The fabulous dancing fountain was unveiled on April 12, 2007 when the redeveloped plaza was officially opened. It is comprised of 70 jets using 85,000 litres of recirculating water.

Quarry Gardens

The main Quarry Garden is just west of the Bloedel Conservatory and offers a moment of high drama when first approached and viewed from the park's rim. The once massive excavation is now home to lawns and an array of specimen trees and shrubs selected for their foliage, form and flower. Impressively planted perennial and annual flower beds boast colourful varieties featuring new cultivars and old favourites along with decades-old tree fuchsias and lantanas accentuating island beds. A stream and cascading waterfall add cool comfort and variety to the landscape which is so artfully seamed together.

Located adjacent and below the "Seasons in the Park" restaurant is the smaller or North Quarry Garden. It was established in 1961 to commemorate the City of Vancouver's 75th Anniversary. In contrast to the large quarry, to the west of the Bloedel Conservatory, this is a "dry" garden and has many oriental horticultural influences including an arching bridge over a stony streambed.

Painters' Corner

In Painters' Corner, landscape artists offer the public a chance to visit an outdoor gallery with many different styles on display. The painters demonstrate their techniques to strollers and are happy to chat with park visitors. All works displayed are for sale and are the original work of the artists on-site. Closer to the Bloedel Conservatory, portrait artists draw pictures and caricatures of park visitors while they sit. Black and white or full colour, the portraits take only minutes and are prized souvenirs for many.

To exhibit on this site, a permit  is required.

Sculpture

Henry Moore's sculpture Knife Edge - Two Piece was donated to the Park Board by avid modern art collector Prentice Bloedel when he funded the redevelopment of original Queen Elizabeth Park Plaza and Bloedel Floral Conservatory.

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