Parks in Vancouver near Oakridge: a local green-space guide

Queen Elizabeth Park offers gardens and a viewpoint, John Hendry Park has a lakeside setting and sports facilities, and Hinge Park is a smaller green space by False Creek. Choose based on the landscape and facilities that fit your plans.

Oakridge-41st Avenue and King Edward are Canada Line stations near Queen Elizabeth Park; the Oakridge transit and neighbourhood guide covers the local setting.

Queen Elizabeth Park stands at Vancouver’s geographic centre and, at 125 m above sea level, is the city’s highest point. Its 52 hectares include a landscaped quarry garden, an arboretum and sculptures, including a work by Henry Moore.

You can add tennis, lawn bowling or pitch-and-putt to a garden visit. Bloedel Conservatory is also within the park. A simple garden walk covers 0.41 km, or 824 steps, and the City of Vancouver says the gardens are wheelchair accessible via a marked path.

The grounds are open from 6 am to 10 pm unless otherwise posted. Pay parking lots are available throughout the park, with some pay parking along park roads. For more detail on the gardens and access, see this Queen Elizabeth Park guide to views and gardens.

John Hendry Park surrounds Trout Lake in East Vancouver’s Cedar Cottage neighbourhood. The park was first created in the 1920s and expanded over the following 40 years.

Facilities include two baseball diamonds, two soccer fields, three tennis courts, two playgrounds, a dog off-leash area and a washroom.

Dogs must be on leash except in designated off-leash areas. They may access beaches only in designated areas, including at John Hendry Park. Trout Lake has had repeated swimming closures because of high seasonal microbial counts, so check current City of Vancouver guidance before planning to swim.

Hinge Park is a False Creek green space with a rainwater wetland, grass and picnic areas, benches and a children’s play area. It was created as part of the 2010 Winter Games Athletes Village at Southeast False Creek.

The park is at 215 W 1st Ave. Its fenced dog off-leash area is in the northwest corner; the City’s Park Finder also identifies a separate off-leash area for small and/or shy dogs.

Vancouver’s general park hours are 6 am to 10 pm unless otherwise posted; smoking and overnight parking are not allowed in parks. The City says dogs must be leashed when entering and exiting off-leash areas, and handlers may have a maximum of three dogs.

Park washrooms usually operate in summer from Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day weekend, and in winter from after Labour Day weekend until Victoria Day weekend. They are cleaned and resupplied daily between 5 am and 1 pm.

Queen Elizabeth Park’s picnic area is north of the Arboretum, west of the duck pond along Park Drive; picnic tables and portable toilets are available from May to October, and small-group picnic sites do not require reservations.

Queen Elizabeth Park, John Hendry Park, VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory have accessibility information on the AccessNow platform. Park facilities and seasonal operations can change, so check the City of Vancouver’s official site before you go.

Which featured park has gardens and a viewpoint?

Queen Elizabeth Park offers gardens and a viewpoint.

Is Trout Lake part of John Hendry Park?

Yes. John Hendry Park is also known as Trout Lake and surrounds the lake in Cedar Cottage.

Are dogs allowed in Vancouver parks?

Dogs can use designated off-leash areas, but must be leashed when entering and leaving them.

Are Queen Elizabeth Park’s gardens wheelchair accessible?

The City says the gardens are wheelchair accessible via a marked path.