Jamie RamsayWhen our kids started to get bored with the summer lessons, we knew we had to switch things up. We thought of a place where the kids can play around, while the adults can relax and just take a quick breather.
Good thing, Hastings Park is just a quick drive from downtown Vancouver. Since then, visiting the park every summer has been a family tradition.
If you’re wondering what’s in store for you here in this large park in Vancouver, make sure to continue reading this comprehensive guide we’ve prepared for you.
Hastings Park: An Overview
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Hastings Park is one of the largest urban parks you’ll find in the northeast part of Vancouver. It’s a 150-acre park that is actually home for sports and recreational facilities, walking trails, themed gardens, and monumental installations.
For fun and adventure lovers out there, you’ll love the thrilling rides you’ll find in Playland, especially when Pacific National Exhibition enters the scene.
If you want a more peaceful vibe, the park is home to several gardens that will offer you the peace and quiet that you need. Some of the gardens that you can find here are the Momiji Gardens and the Il Giardino Italiano.
If you’re a sports junkie, specifically baseball or soccer, you’ll love that there are two artificial turf fields in this park. Meanwhile, you can also practice your way to becoming the best skater in town at Hastings Skatepark.
Attractions in Hastings Park
The Sanctuary
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One of the most go-to attractions inside Hastings Park is The Sanctuary, a 9-acre forested area which is formerly known as the BC Pavilion site.
We were actually expecting a typical park setup, but this place really brought an instant calm the moment we stepped inside.
Because of the peaceful surroundings, it’s a great spot where you can just read a book, or just take a seat while enjoying the view of the peaceful ponds. You can even spot a few ducks just living a healthy and happy life on the waters.
You can also find pathways and bridges that are perfect for an early morning or late afternoon stroll. Don’t expect a huge crowd when visiting this area, so it’s perfect if you want to take a quick break from the city without the need to drive too far.
But if you want to take your walking to the next level, you can join the Hastings Park Conservancy’s free nature walks. Here, you can track the bird species that migrate in this park.
Il Giardino Italiano (Italian Gardens)
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After hanging out at The Sanctuary, we went straight to Il Giardino Italiano or the Italian Gardens. It’s quite small, so if you’re really not looking for this place, there’s a huge chance that you might miss it.
True to its name, it’s an Italian-styled garden that is surrounded by whimsical sculptures inspired by Italian opera. We also saw children playing and dipping their feet around the gushing water fountains.
Meanwhile, if the kids want to enjoy some more, there’s a playground adjacent to the garden.
And if you love seeing greens, you’ll appreciate the huge pear trees, as well as the lavender and Italian cypress trees around the area.
Just like in The Sanctuary, you can also see benches around the garden, so you can also choose this spot if you want to read peacefully. We also a younger crowd doing sketches in the area.
Moreover, for couples out there, you may also consider this spot as your prenup or wedding shoot venue.
Momiji Gardens
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If you head to the southside of the Garden Auditorium building along East Hastings Street, you’ll find the Japanese-style garden called Momiji Gardens. Here, you can still find a pond, big rocks, and bonsai trees, completing the whole Japanese garden vibe.
This garden, which was completed in 1993, is actually a reminder of the 8,000 Japanese-Canadian soldiers who were detained inside exhibition buildings in this park before making their way to the campsites around the province.
In fact, the overall cost of the garden development was $300,000 where half of the cost was shouldered by the Japanese Canadian Redress Foundation.
Momiji Gardens is also created to celebrate the contributions of the Japanese Canadians to the overall culture of Vancouver and Canada. Aside from celebrating the past, this garden also serves as a type of apology.
Moreover, during the opening ceremony in 1993, they invited two Shinto priests to do an earth-blessing ceremony to ward off the evil spirits in the area.
Empire Fields
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You can also find two artificial turf fields called Empire Fields here on the eastside part of Hastings Park. This spot was once home to Empire Stadium, which was a major venue for football and soccer in the city.
This spot was originally built as a temporary stadium to host the BC Lions and Vancouver Whitecaps during the renovations of the BC Place back in 2010. A year later, the stadium was transformed to be the community sports facility we know today.
Now, players can enjoy two full-sized synthetic turf soccer fields, along with a 560-meter rubberized track that is perfect for running or cardio training.
However, it’s worth noting that coaches and players are the only ones allowed to enter the field. If you plan to watch their game, you can just find a spot in the spectator seating.
Plateau Sports Park
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Since we’re already feeling sporty, we decided to check out the Plateau Sports Park located near the Empire Fields.
It’s a perfect spot for both kids and adults to explore various recreational facilities, such as volleyball courts, and fully-fenced multi-use courts. In fact, this park is home to the first public outdoor parkour course in the country.
You can also take advantage of their outdoor fitness equipment if you want to squeeze in a quick workout. And while you’re doing your reps, you can just let your kids enjoy their time at the children’s playground.
For bike lovers out there who love to take on an adventure, you’ll be happy to know that there’s a BMX bike track inside this sports park too.
Hastings Skatepark
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Oh, we know—we’re all sweaty now, but since we’re already here, it just makes sense that we explore the Hastings Skatepark too. This skatepark is open 24/7, so skatepark junkies out there can visit this spot whenever they please.
There are three 5-11 feet concrete skating bowls that you can enjoy here. You can also find a street course for its unique lines and set-ups should you need to practice your skateboarding skills.
And it happens to rain during your visit, just wait for a little over twenty minutes, and you can safely use the concrete bowls again.
Biking and Walking Trails
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Another thing to love about the 6 hectares of land here in Hastings Park is their walking and biking trails around. With this provision, you can definitely reach each attraction whether on foot or you’re riding your bike.
You can also find a 2.1 kilometer loop called the Hastings Park Sanctuary Walk, where you’ll walk along plants and trees, see buildings from afar, and make your way to the themed gardens around the park.
The best part is that the trail is accessible for both wheelchairs and strollers, so you can really invite the whole family here.
Meanwhile, bike lovers out there can enjoy the bike trails that can connect you to some cycling trails around Vancouver. There’s the Portside Bikeway if you want to get to the New Brighton Park’s trails.
And if you’re down for more adventure, you’ll love that you can find a medium pump track featuring a wooden platform, and ramps with various widths, which serves a perfect practice area for you.
Monuments and Installations
The Miracle Mile: Landy Bannister Sculpture
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Once you find yourself in the Pacific National Exhibition Grounds, which is near the corner of Renfrew Street and East Hastings Street, you’ll immediately see a bronze statue called The Miracle Mile.
Initially, this sculpture which was created by Jack Harman in 1967, can be found at the Empire Stadium entrance. After the demolition, the management decided to place the statue closer to the original race site.
My father would always make sure to take me here every time we visit Hastings Park. I always remember his stories about the two runners, Roger Bannister and John Landy, whom you’ll see in the statue.
If you look closely, you’ll see that John Landy’s head is turned slightly to the left. My father explained that it was when Roger Bannister passed him on his right, eventually winning the race.
It was a split second moment where Bannister won the competition, while the entire world was watching. So, this monument serves as the exact moment during the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth games.
Home + Away Installation
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Here, you can also see the Home + Away Installation, created by artists, Annie Hand and Daniel Mihalyo of Lead Pencil Studio.
The artists decided to pay homage to the park’s history, which included the old Empire Stadium, the ski run they had back in the 1950s, and the iconic wooden roller coaster that you’ll find at Playland.
They decided to call it ‘Home + Away’ since the structure looks like a home and away section in a sports stadium.
What’s great about this installation is that it serves as a functional space too. This space has 16 rows of seating, allowing them to accommodate up to 49 people who would like to sit or just enjoy the views of the area around Hastings Park.
Seasonal Activities
Playland
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When we first saw Playland, we were surprised to see that this park also has a huge amusement park inside. Here, you can enjoy over 30 exciting rides and attractions.
All those who grew up here know that this amusement park is a staple in Vancouver.
The most favorite part of this amusement park is the classic wooden roller coaster. It might look a bit scary to ride, but this has brought us the adrenaline that we needed on that day!
If you still need to amp up your energy, you can ride the Hellevator. Just be ready for that fast drop, so if you have a heart condition, better skip this ride!
Another thing that we like about this place is that the smell of mini donuts would always fill the air. Yes, even while you’re waiting for the operator to start your amusement ride!
But we’re not gonna lie, we got a bit exhausted, not because of the intense ride, but because there aren’t many shaded areas at Playland.
When it comes to its operating days, Playland normally opens in mid-May until mid-August. The park is usually open during weekends during the initial opening dates, then will eventually open more days during the summer peak.
After August, the amusement park remains open, with a few extra attractions for the Pacific National Exhibition.
Meanwhile, Playland also opens its doors for their Fright Nights during the Halloween season. Aside from the rides, you can expect them to add a haunted house for kids (and kids at heart) to explore.
Pacific National Exhibition
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As mentioned, the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) takes over after the summer break. This even happens from mid-August until the first week of September, where they celebrate Labor Day.
This event takes place in the Playland area, but a little more festive this time. Aside from the thrilling rides that are normally open during summer, you can also let your kids explore different exhibits featuring farm animals.
When we visited during PNE, we also got to watch a lumberjack show, where we got to see the athleticism involved in the logging industry.
Well, each year, the management has different (and totally random) activities to showcase. That’s why we weren’t really surprised to see that people would really block off their calendar to attend this seasonal activity in Hastings Park.
Of course, PNE is also known for its concerts. So if you love to catch some local performers, this is also a good venue to do so.
Just consider bringing an extra set of clothes as you can really get sweaty (and sticky!). And if you need more energy, food trucks are available in the area—just make sure to not skip those mini donuts, as they’re part of the whole experience!
How to Go to Hastings Park
From downtown Vancouver, you can go to Hastings Park in multiple ways. You can bring your own car, book a taxi or a ride-sharing service, or just take the public transport.
Let’s go over each option:
- By private car: Hastings Park is just a 15-minute drive from downtown Vancouver. Just follow the W Georgia Street route via BC-1A.
You may check the parking lot here.
- By taxi or ride-sharing service: Inform the driver to drop you off at Hastings Park.
- By public transport:
- Bus: The bus transit lines that can take you to Hastings Park are Bus 14, 16, R5, and N35.
- SkyTrain: Take the Millennium Line or the Expo Line if you’re heading to Hastings Park from downtown Vancouver.
The Best Time to Go to Hastings Park
Overall, the best time to go to Hastings Park would be from May until September (late spring to early fall). Almost every spot is open around the park, so it would be a nice time to visit and enjoy the outdoors.
The trails are normally dry during this time, making it a perfect time for runners and cyclists. Moreover, seasonal events such as the Playland and the Pacific National Exhibition take place during this time.
You can also visit Hastings Park during the Halloween season, if you want to maximize their spooky decor and haunted house installation.
Moreover, we suggest that you avoid visiting from November until March. Apart from Playland being closed during this time, the rain will highly likely to take over your trip, so you won’t get to enjoy roaming around the park.
