Seawall destination walk

The 10km or 13,123 step seawall loop around Stanley Park is Vancouver’s most popular fresh-air attraction.

Stanley Park was home to many Indigenous peoples. It remains a culturally significant area for the local First Nations people today.

Stanley Park is on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. The park’s villages were occupied for thousands of years by First Nations and newcomers before their eviction in the 20th century.

While you walk through the lush greenery, you might reflect on the people who have entered this space during its long history.

Travel on the seawall is one way, counter clockwise, around Stanley Park.

Route description
The Stanley Park Seawall is a beautiful way to get some exercise while learning about the history of the land beneath your feet.

Starting point

A popular starting point for the Seawall walk is the east side of Stanley Park Drive by Coal Harbour. From there, the circular path will take you past a full range of:
- Scenic vistas
- Landmarks
- Monuments
- Sculptures
Cultural and spiritual significance of the area

As you walk, think about which cultures are reflected and how and what we choose to commemorate. Take a moment to think about what this area was like before and how culturally and spiritually significant this area is for the people who lived here since time immemorial, the local Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.

As you enjoy the fresh air and beautiful sights, imagine how for thousands of years Indigenous peoples lived here, raising their children, weaving and fishing. Take a moment to feel grateful that this land was cared for, and is still here for you to enjoy.

Learn more about the:
Accessibility

Points of interest

Rowing Club
Nine O'Clock Gun

The famed Nine O'Clock Gun booms out the time daily and has done so for more than 100 years.

The gun is a naval type 12 pound muzzle-loader cast in 1816 and carries the crest of King George III and the Earl of Mulgrave, who was the Master General of Ordnance.

There are conflicting stories on the history of the gun but 1 thing is certain, every evening it can be heard throughout the region as it fires to mark the 9 o'clock hour.

Learn more about the Nine O'Clock Gun
Brockton Point
Brockton Point Lighthouse

At the east end of the park to see a Stanley Park showpiece, Brockton Point Lighthouse built in 1914.

Walk along the shoreline pathway and under the arches supporting the lighthouse tower or view the lighthouse from street level.

The Park Board as managed the Brockton Point Lighthouse since 2006.

Totem poles

The 9 totem poles at Brockton Point are BC's most-visited tourist attraction. The original totem poles purchased from other First Nations communities as people at the time thought they were more visually appealing than the local nations art.

The 9 totem poles at Brockton Point are a collection that started in the 1920s at Lumberman's Arch. The Park Board bought 4 totems from Vancouver Island's Alert Bay, Haida Gwaii, and the BC central coast Rivers Inlet to celebrate the 1936 Golden Jubilee. In the mid-1960s, the totem poles were moved to the attractive and accessible Brockton Point.

The Skedans Mortuary Pole is a replica as the original was returned home to Haida Gwaii. In the late 1980s, the remaining totem poles were sent to various museums for preservation and the Park Board commissioned and loaned replacement totems.

Yelton Memorial Pole and Susan Point’s People

The only local First Nations works are the Yelton Memorial Pole and Susan Point’s People among the People Coast Salish Gateways. Raised in 2009, the Yelton Memorial Pole was created to honour Rose Cole Yelton, her family and all those who lived in Stanley Park. This pole is erected in front of the house site where the Cole family lived until 1935. Until the time of her passing in 2002, Rose was the last surviving resident of the Brockton Community.

Susan Point’s People among the People Coast Salish Gateways are 3 beautifully-carved red cedar portals that welcome visitors to the Brockton Point Visitor Centre and to the traditional lands of the Coast Salish people. Their form represents the traditional slant-roof style of Coast Salish architecture.

The gateways show the history and thriving modern culture of Coast Salish people. Constructed over 3 years and installed in 2008, the gateways were created by Coast Salish artist Susan Point, in collaboration with:
- Coast Salish Arts
- Vancouver Storyscapes (a City Social Planning project to encourage aboriginal people to share their stories through a variety of media)
- The Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations
- The Vancouver Park Board
Monuments

Harry Jerome

Artist: Jack Harman

This bronze figure commemorates athlete Harry Jerome's career as a runner.

By age 18 he became the first man to hold the record in both the 100 yard and the 100 metre runs. He participated in 3 Olympics and was a recipient of the Order of Canada.

Girl in a Wetsuit

Artist: Elek Imredy

A life size bronze statue of a woman in a wetsuit, with flippers on her feet and her mask pushed up on her forehead, sits on a large intertidal boulder just offshore of Stanley Park.

In 1968 Douglas Brown, a Vancouver lawyer, wanted to commission a sculpture inspired by the famous Copenhagen mermaid and approached Elek Imredy to create it. Imredy said, "I didn't believe we should have a copy of the mermaid. She is rightfully a symbol of Copenhagen... I proposed to have a life size scuba diver seated there. At that time...I didn't know of any similar sculpture anywhere in the world. It was a new idea…"

Empress of Japan figurehead

A replica of the figurehead of the SS Empress of Japan can be found on the north side of Stanley Park, west of Brockton Point.

The original figurehead was on display at this location until 1960 when deterioration forced its removal. It now be seen on display at the Vancouver Maritime Museum
Lumbermen's Arch
What is now known as Lumbermen’s Arch is a village site called X̱wáýx̱way (rendered in English as whoi whoi). It was the largest settlement in Stanley Park before it was claimed for use by the Federal Government.

Erected in 1952 to honour British Columbia's lumber industry, Lumberman's Arch replaced the original Bowie Arch built in 1912. That arch was built and placed at Pender and Hamilton streets for the visit of The Duke of Connaught.

After years exposure to the elements and a move from downtown Vancouver the Bowie Arch was and dismantled in 1947.
- Learn more about X̱wáýx̱way
- View the Bowie Arch at the Vancouver Archives
Prospect Point

Prospect Point offers excellent views of the Lions Gate Bridge, North Shore Mountains, and Burrard Inlet.

A 2-storey signal station once stood atop Prospect Point to alert approaching vessels of strong tides, winds, and maritime traffic.

Lions Gate Bridge

The Lions Gate Bridge officially opened in 1938 and connects Vancouver to the North Shore.

It's named for the pair of mountain peaks that are visible while travelling north across the bridge. This mountain range is known to many Indigenous peoples as The Two Sisters. The FederalGovernment designated the bridge a National Historic Site of Canada on March 24, 2005.

Review the story The Two Sisters by E. Pauline Johnson

SS Beaver Cairn

The SS Beaver Cairn is shipwrecked on the rocks below Prospect Point in 1888.

A plaque was erected at Prospect Point to commemorate the loss of the Beaver. Its history is directly tied to the story of the early colonial development of the west coast of what is now known as Canada.
Siwash Rock

Siwash Rock is a 32 million-year-old sea stack (rock outcropping) located just off the seawall between Third Beach and Lions Gate Bridge in Stanley Park.

According to Squamish first nations legend, a man was transformed into Siwash Rock "as an indestructible monument to Clean Fatherhood" – a reward for unselfishness.

A lookout above Siwash Rock is accessible from Park Drive or Siwash Rock Trail leading from Prospect Point and Third Beach.
Beaches

Second Beach

Second Beach in Stanley Park is located at the junction of Stanley Park Drive and North Lagoon Drive.

It is next to Second Beach Pool—an oceanside, heated, outdoor pool. Nearby Ceperley Meadow has barbeques and a picnic shelter you can reserve for private gatherings.

Third Beach

Located at Ferguson Point in Stanley Park, Third Beach is a naturally sandy beach surrounded by trees that shield beach-goers from urban noise.

This is a great beach for quiet bathing, picnics, and watching sunsets.

What unceded territory means

Unceded means that First Nations people did not give up land or legally sign it away to Britain or Canada. Vancouver and 95% of BC are on unceded First Nations land.

In many parts of Canada, treaties were signed with First Nations that gave incoming settlers rights to much of the land, but in BC very few treaties were signed.

Want to learn more? Review First Peoples: A Guide for Newcomers (5.4 MB)

Seawall destination walk

Route description

Accessibility

Points of interest

Rowing Club

Nine O'Clock Gun

Brockton Point

Monuments

Lumbermen's Arch

Prospect Point

Siwash Rock

Beaches

What unceded territory means

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