Pacific Spirit Park

Located on the Point Grey peninsula on University Endowment Lands in Vancouver is 862 hectares of 'wilderness' known as Pacific Spirit Park. There is 78 kilometres of trails and more than fifty km are multi-use. Walkers mingled with dog walkers, joggers, cyclists and even horses. I visited the park on Saturday and had an enjoyable stroll through nature.

In 1975, BC Parks established 90 hectares as the UBC Endowment Lands Ecological Reserve. Those hectares are designated for forest research and are not open to the public.

Pacific Spirit Park also includes a beach section, which I didn't get to. And when I do go, I probably won't be able to take many photos because it is a clothing optional beach. That is where the famous Wreck Beach is located.

The upland area of the park is typical of cone bearing trees such as Western Hemlock, Western Redcedar, Douglas Fir, Sitka Spruce and other such varieties. Other trees found in Pacific Spirit Park that annually shed their leaves are Red Alder, Bitter Cherry and Black Cottonwood to name a few.

The park is also home to the Point Grey Cliffs and left over from WWII, the Point Grey Towers on the beach level. There is an ancient remnant from the Ice Age, Camosun Bog.

There are several natural fish bearing streams in the park and one restored, artificially stocked salmon bearing stream at Spanish Banks.

This land was logged in the 1890s, 1930s and 1951. Much of the land has been regenerated with a mixture of trees.

The Aboriginal settlement on Pacific Spirit Park was carbon-dated to 3,000 years ago and the land was part of the territory of the Musqueam Nation.

There is so much to see at this park that I didn't get to. I spent two and a half hours wandering around the coastal rain forest, mainly because I got turned around and couldn't find my way out, but there is so much more to see. Next time, I will be smarter and follow the map instead of just walking!

I want to thank the Park Profile website and Wikipedia for the information on the park. And I have a lot more photos so be prepared for a summer of green and trees.

I hope you find the beauty around you.