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Parks, Recreation, and Culture

Spectacular parks to picnic at and enjoy with friends

Enjoy recreation at your local community centre

Take part in community art projects and cultural events

Get fit with city-wide programs, like indoor cycling

Vancouver boasts world-class parks, from the 404 hectares (1,000 acres) of prime downtown land that forms Stanley Park, to the many smaller parks that host recreational facilities, community centres, and specialty amenities such as off-leash dog areas and skate parks. Vancouver has close to 300 City-run parks, beaches, and gardens.

Vancouver is the only municipality in Canada with an elected park board, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. The Board's mandate is to nurture, maintain, and develop Vancouver’s urban parks and recreation system.

This system includes the delivery of sports and recreational programs, social and cultural activities, educational programming and special events, through the many community and cultural centres, pools, rinks, golf courses, and specialty parks.

World-class parks for all

Parks, gardens, and beaches

Enjoy Vancouver's great outdoors by exploring our stunning parks, gardens, and beaches. Rain or shine, our city's physical splendour can inspire and soothe you.

Community centres and facilities

Facilities and schedules

Find out where you can find and access fields, courts, golf courses, ice rinks, fitness centres, pools, water parks, marinas, community centres, and gyms.

Arts and culture

From public art to performance art, from dance to visual arts, crafting or writing, cultural or popular performances, arts and culture are a vibrant aspect of Vancouver.

Stewardship of the park system

Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation provides, preserves, and advocates for parks and recreation services to benefit all people, communities, and the environment.