National Canada’s Parks Day (July 17th)

Please note that it’s not Canada’s National Parks Day (which I think would be different and perhaps only focused on Canada’s National Parks and Historic Sites). This is National Canada’s Parks Day, the day when we celebrate all parks (and in many cases, historic sites) in the beautiful country that adopted me more than a decade ago.

First celebrated in 1990, Canada’s Parks Day is an opportunity for Canadians to participate in one of hundreds of unique and fun events taking place in parks and sites from coast to coast to coast. Canada’s Parks Day is celebrated on the third Saturday of July, each year. In 2010 it will be celebrated on July 17. [Canada’s Parks Day website]

I have been very lucky in that I have had the opportunity to explore many Canadian parks (and not surprisingly, many national parks too) in my many years of having lived in Canada. While I love them all, I have several favorites, including Panorama Park (in Deep Cove, North Vancouver), Trout Lake (in East Vancouver, near Victoria Drive) and more recently, Lost Lake Park (in Whistler, BC)

Several guest post of mine on my good friend Rebecca Bollwitt’s blog have highlighted parks I’ve visited, including Buntzen Lake (near Belcarra/Anmore), Quayside Park (New Westminster), Central Park (Burnaby) and Grandview Park (Commercial Drive & East Vancouver). Rebecca has a full series many wonderful parks in our beautiful province.

Several West and North Vancouver parks are favorites of mine. I went on a beautiful walk with Ianiv, Arieanna and Aiden Schweber to Ambleside Park in West Vancouver a couple of months ago, and I visited the Lighthouse Park with JT last year or two years ago. And of course, I have always been a fan of Stanley Park (I walk around the seawall quite often). But I also love highlighting smaller parks (like the little pocket parks that we have in East Vancouver).

I would strongly recommend that you take some time today, July 17th, to go and enjoy your day in the sun and visit a local park. Happy National Canada’s Parks Day!