Kitsilano Beach is one of the most popular beaches in

Vancouver Vancouver ( ) is a major city in western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the city, up from 631,486 in 2016. ...

, especially in the warm summer months. Located at the north edge of the

Kitsilano Kitsilano () is a neighbourhood located in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Kitsilano is named after Squamish chief August Jack Khatsahlano, and the neighbourhood is located in Vancouver's West Side along the south shore of Engli ...

neighbourhood, the beach faces out onto English Bay.

Description

The beach is home to the longest swimming pool in Canada, the salt-water outdoor Kitsilano Pool, operated by the

Vancouver Park Board The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, commonly referred to as the Vancouver Park Board, is the elected board with exclusive possession, jurisdiction and control over public parks in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Established by sectio ...

and open annually from May to September. Toward the northern edge of the beach is a

playground A playground, playpark, or play area is a place designed to provide an environment for children that facilitates play, typically outdoors. While a playground is usually designed for children, some are designed for other age groups, or people ...

and a number of beach volleyball courts. In the

Squamish language Squamish (; ', ''sníchim'' meaning "language") is a Coast Salish language spoken by the Squamish people of the Pacific Northwest. It is spoken in the area that is now called southwestern British Columbia, Canada, centred on their reserve c ...

, it is called , which translates to "having red cedar".

History

In 1901, the beach was being transformed for future inclusion in a city park system. "The whole approach to the beach will be cleared, graded and seeded, and the beach itself cleared of what rocks and driftwood there is to annoy bathers, and the magnificent property will be made available for the people." Vancouver residents knew the area as "Greer's Beach," after settler Sam Greer who pre-empted 160 acres on the waterfront in 1882 to farm there. When the provincial government granted his land to the

Canadian Pacific Railway The Canadian Pacific Railway (french: Chemin de fer Canadien Pacifique) , also known simply as CPR or Canadian Pacific and formerly as CP Rail (1968–1996), is a Canadian Class I railway incorporated in 1881. The railway is owned by Canad ...

(CPR), Greer was forced out and his home destroyed. The CPR considered developing the area into a rail-serviced port facility, but ended up selling off its real estate for development. In 1905 the name "Kitsilano" was appearing in real estate advertisements, such as one for "Lots at Kitsilano - Greer's Beach" for sale by the B.C. Electric Railway Company. In 1906 campsites were advertised at "'Kitsilano' Greer's Beach." B.C. Electric made a deal with the CPR to run a tram from downtown Vancouver "to a point called Greer's Beach, or Kitsilano." In 1906, the company managing the facilities at the beach for the CPR announced plans for a baseball field, a dance pavilion over the water, and a dock for a small ferry to run to the new "country club" at Jericho."Lease beach at Kitsilano" ''The Vancouver Daily World'' 10 February 1906, page 1 Commencing in 1909 and continuing over several years, the

City of Vancouver Vancouver ( ) is a major city in western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the city, up from 631,486 in 2016. The ...

acquired several portions of what is now the public beach park. In 2005, the old bath house structure was demolished and in its place a new, modern structure was built featuring the Watermark restaurant on top, boasting an expansive view of the beach and English Bay. Recently the Watermark building was sold to The Boathouse restaurant franchise.

References

External links

Kitsilano Pool
Beaches of Vancouver Kitsilano {{vancouver-stub