Rated this place:
Georgia Street, west end, Vancouver, BC, BC V6J 5L1
Lost lagoon nature house, Nature walk in the city, Otters, Playground, Seals, Second beach pool, The: Backs onto Lagoon Drive @ the end of Robson Street, entrance on Lagoon Loop trail. great place to take young children- or any nature lover, lots of info provided.
The Lost Lagoon Loop: A surprising variety of wild life in a small area, minutes away from downtown. Easy for young children to walk around, path okay for strollers. Can connect up to longer walks/ hikes around seawall or through the centre of the wooded area of the park. The nature house on the Lagoon trail has activites for kids and some great information about all the critters living in and the many different ecosystems of Stanely Park.
It is quite an experience to come across this scrurrying family of wild otters who travel via waterways, drain pipes and culverts all throughout stanley park! they pop up in lost lagoon, third beach, and other otter hot spots.
(Between the Aquarium and the Rose Garden) Although the equipment is a bit older than most, there is a small scale climbing area for tiny tots and a larger one for big kids, 4 baby swings big people swings, and it gets MUCH less traffic than the Second Beach playgrounds, so less turn taking, rowdiness etc. Plus, location is surrounded by trees and lawn, so good place for hide and seek, squirrel watching, pinecone collecting etc. Also there is an Eagle's Nest nearby!
If you walk the seawall when the tide is high, especially on an overcast or rainy weekday, you have a good chance of sighting harbour seals, who will swim right up to the seawall walkway.
Crazy but fun on a hot summer day, a slice of heaven on a cooler day when you may almost have it to yourself, and can float, looking up at the eagles, gulls, and clouds.
As a local with kids, a yearly membership is a no-brainer. There is so much to see and learn, and a great toddler- preschooler section with free music/ theatre programs in the mornings. As a tourist- go off season or low times if you can as it gets crazy-busy.
Has a secluded feeling despite proximity to downtown- great views and good swimming in summer. in spring, fall and winter a very peaceful place for a walk or sit on a log, looking out at the waves.
In winter, the small marsh land of Lost Lagoon and the beaches around Stanley park are temporary home to many species of migrating water fowl. The variety of bird life at least quadruples during the fall/ winter, and some very exotic species can be spotted mingling with our local ducks and geese. Bring a bird book and binoculars and be an urban bird nerd!