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Urban Wilds, Vancouver-style: (page 2) Lighthouse Park
By JOEL CONNELLY 
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
Lighthouse Park, on the north shore west of Lions Gate Bridge, features the finest stand of old-growth trees in greater Vancouver and vistas of the harbor entrance and city skyline.
The 177-acre park is a bit tricky to reach. Cross the bridge and follow signs leading to West Vancouver. Stay on Marine Drive -- greater Vancouver has many Marine Drives -- and go west about seven miles. Watch for a fire station, a small market and St. Francis-in-the-Wood Anglican Church. The road climbs a small hill; just over the top, go left on Beacon Street.
The park has an eight-mile trail system, as well as a service road that heads directly down to the Point Atkinson Lighthouse. The trails are color-coded and a large map can be found at the west side of the parking lot.
Lighthouse Park is first noticeable for the disappearance of city sounds. It is marvelously quiet save for the sound of chirping birds. The second feature is cathedral forests. And, when you hit the shoreline, there is one of the most awesome views of any urban center in the world.
A group of old, moss-covered service buildings sits inland from the lighthouse. Just east of the buildings, find a trail leading to the shore. Hike a couple hundred yards, climb down through the rocks, and the vista opens. In the foreground are Lions Gate Bridge, Stanley Park and ships anchored in English Bay. The skyline of downtown Vancouver looms above Stanley Park. In turn, the distant 10,778-foot summit of Mount Baker watches over the city. The whole panorama takes on a pink glow at sunset.
It is a fantastic spot in a ruggedly natural park. But Vancouver also has exquisitely designed park settings.
- Introduction
- Pacific Spirit Park
- Queen Elizabeth Park
- Van Dusen Botanical Garden and
University of British Columbia Botanical Garden
101 Elliott Ave. W.
Seattle, WA 98119
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