Vancouver is known for its scenic public parks. After experiencing the gorgeous highlights of Stanley Park I decided to check out Queen Elizabeth Park. The profusion of colors that greet you as you step into this green paradise has you spell-bound for moments absorbing every ounce of the beauty that waits for you at every step. Exotic blooms of every imaginable hue smile back from carefully manicured carpets of landscaped gardens.
Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver’s horticultural jewel, is a major draw for floral display enthusiasts and view-seekers, and as a popular backdrop for wedding photos. At 152 metres above sea level, it’s the highest point in Vancouver and makes for spectacular views of the park, city, and mountains on the North Shore.
The 52-hectare park is home to the stunning Bloedel Conservatory. There is also a gorgeously landscaped quarry garden, the arboretum with its collection of exotic and native trees, sculptures including one by internationally renowned artist Henry Moore, and diverse recreational offerings such as tennis, lawn bowling, and pitch & putt. The park is also the perfect setting for fine dining at Seasons in the Park, a picnic or stargazing! Source
Titled, Love in the Rain, by artist Bruce Voyce, the steel sculpture depicts four entwined couples, each beneath an umbrella. Couples are invited to lock padlocks to the new sculpture as a way to symbolize their love. Locks can be attached to the skirts of each couple, and keys can be deposited into a special box on site. All keys will eventually be recycled or melted down to become part of another piece of public art. The piece celebrates the shelter that love brings and the union that it forms. The human forms in each couple have been made to appear ageless and genderless. Source.
I found the concept somewhat similar to something we do in India when we tie holy threads on a particular tree at certain auspicious places. These colored threads are symbolic of the wishes we pray for to come true. Tying the wish into a knot strengthens our resolve to make it come true. In this case, the lock replaces the knot to signify permanence. I was touched by the romantic profoundness of it.
As we strolled through the paths shaded by trees, lined with flowerbeds and lush shrubs, we paused once in a while completely sucked into the magic of the view that unfolded in front of us from a certain angle. The urge to click pictures and freeze these prepossessing sights into memories was insatiable.
It was a riot of tints, shapes, and textures. Looks like a painter had spread his love for colors across his canvas.
Photo Session, a bronze figurative sculpture of a man photographing three people, by J. Seward Johnson, Junior. This was a gift to the park from the artist in 1984. Source
This called for a click and I did not disappoint them! This set of sculptures gets you to smile in amusement instantly. Just the right antidote for a perfect picture.
Bloedel Conservatory is a domed lush paradise where more than 120 free-flying exotic birds, 500 exotic plants, and flowers thrive within its temperature-controlled environment. Source
So enthralled I am by the captivating sights of this park that I ended up writing very little on this post. I feel the pictures are enough to say it all. There are some places that come close to your imagination of heaven. For me, Queen Elizabeth Park is one of them.
I am taking part in The Write Tribe Problogger October 2017 Blogging Challenge at Write Tribe.
What a gorgeous garden. I loved that umbrella sculpture. The landscaping is so beautifully done and maintained. Beautiful captures.
Thanks, Raj. The umbrella sculpture is impressive. I loved it too. 🙂
Another lovely post. The pictures are really breath taking. I know the parks look awesome but what I liked the most were the steel sculptures with the lock and key concept. Hope to read more posts. Bon Voyage 😊
Thanks, Ryan. I’m back from my voyage. These are pictures from my trip that I returned from last month. I’m glad you like them.
I wait to read your blogs for a lot of reason and one of them is the wonderful pictures you post and the way you write about them. Lived your blog
Hey, thanks, Swati. I sometimes am at loss of words when I see the pictures I clicked. Some of them leave me speechless with the memory of it. I always feel that what I write do not match the beauty seen in the pictures, especially the ones which have the natural elements.
Hi Vinodini – looks like a lovely park to visit with special sites. Those statues are amazing … and I love your photo – great to see – cheers Hilary
Thanks, Hilary. The park is one of the most beautiful ones that I have come across. 🙂
The garden is so beautiful. I have also never seen picts of Canadian gardens. Very pretty.
The parks in Vancouver indeed are a feast for the eyes, Lata.
Indeed a beautiful and serene place to visit. I love places like these. Yes, the pictures do say it all!
It is definitely a serene place but also lifts your spirits instantly when you see the variety of blooms there.
Simply beautiful and loved your pic as well. You seem to have had a wonderful time and this makes me inclined to make the best of my trip!
I do hope you have a wonderful trip, Akshata. Thank you. 🙂
Canada has always been a place I’ve wanted to visit. Queen Elizabeth park looks like there’s something there for everyone who loves nature in any form.
Nice captures, Vinodini.
I do hope you get to visit Canada sometime, Sid. It’s a photographer’s delight. I’m sure you’ll come back with a bunch of awesome clicks. 🙂
Great pictures, Vinodini. Canada seems quite pretty. I would love to visit some day.
Thanks, Rachna. I hope you get to visit it someday.
I loved that sculpture – its indeed very romantic and looks stunning with the locks adorning it! And the pics of the blooms and the conservatory make me wanna visit this place with my macrolens to take tonnes of pics too!
Words were indeed not needed in this post Vinodini as the beautiful vistas captured in your shots say it all!! 🙂
Hey thanks, Shalz. If you love photography you’ll make the most of this place! 🙂
Your blog made me so happy! The colours, the sheer prettiness! It is a visual delight. Thank you for sharing this with us.
These are such beautiful pictures! Public gardens, and being able to hang out there without fear, is the one thing I miss the most in Delhi!
Delhi is one place I am really scared of visiting for the crime rate prevalent there. It’s a pity that you aren’t able to enjoy simple pleasures like strolling through a park. I’m glad you like the pictures, Shinjini.
That’s beautiful garden… I loved that wire artwork installation of girls with umbrellas..
Thanks, Aditya. 🙂
Beautiful clicks. I loved the steel sculptures very much. Stell sculptures have stolen my heart.
Thank you. 🙂
Lovely pictures. The place has a very positive vibe about it. You must have loved the whole Vancouver experience. 🙂
Yes, it was a breathtaking experience indeed, Aritra. Thank you.
How delightful! Gorgeous garden, Vinodini. Greenery and the colors together mesmerizing the onlookers. You look gorgeous too, Vinodini.
Hey, thanks for your kind words Vinitha. It was a gorgeous garden indeed.
Reading the post and going through the pics just made me feel I am there.
I am glad I could share the experience with all of you. 🙂