Vancouver West End

Population of approximately 42,000 (2006)

The West End, a high-density inner-city neighbourhood, is one of 23 communities in Vancouver. It stretches from Stanley Park to Burrard Street and from English Bay to Georgia Street. These boundaries are defined by the city for planning and administrative purposes.

The West End offers high-density living to young, mostly single adults in one of the highest amenity areas in the city. Downtown offices, shopping, theatre, nightlife, beaches and Stanley Park are all just a short stroll away. The West End is located in the most densely populated, intensively active portion of the Lower Mainland.

People of West End
The West End's total population has remained relatively constant. Since the 1970s, large numbers of young people have been drawn to the West End for its unique urban lifestyle and large stock of rental apartments. The age composition of the community affects the demand for housing, health care and community facilities such as schools, recreation centres and parks.

The West End is primarily residential. On some streets the community's four stages of development (large homes converted to suites, 3-storey apartments, and high-rises) can all be seen.

Parks
All West End residents live within a comfortable walk of one of the area's mini parks or larger community parks. The community's proximity to Stanley Park and the beaches give the impression of park space abundance for West Enders. However, during the summer months the regional nature of Stanley Park often brings it to capacity, limiting local use. The West End has 1.24 hectares of parkland per 1,000 persons, as compared to the city average of 1.12.

Alexandra Park located at Beach Avenue, Burnaby and Bidwell Streets is a grassy little park with views to English Bay, and is the site of the city's last remaining bandstand. This two-tiered octagonal bandstand, built in 1914 with Queen Anne style decorative railings and details, gives a picturesque focus to this English Bay park. A symbol of an earlier Vancouver lifestyle, it was once active with evening and holiday entertainment.

Nelson Park located at Bute and Nelson Streets is at the eastern end of the community.

English Bay beaches are well-loved and well-used for picnicking, swimming, sunning, the Symphony of Fire fireworks competition in July and August, and site of the annual Polar Bear Swim on New Year's Day. A popular annual event, the Gay Pride Parade, follows a route through the West End and finishes at Sunset Beach.

The waterfront walkway is an extension of the Stanley Park sea wall carrying walkers and cyclists from the park along English Bay to the Aquatic Centre located on Beach Avenue near the Burrard Street Bridge. The walkway and bicycle path continues eastward along the False Creek shoreline to Science World.

Stanley Park at the foot of Georgia Street and Beach Avenue is one of the world's great parks, Stanley Park performs a variety of roles - a community park for the West End, a city-wide park for Vancouverites, a regional park for the entire Lower Mainland as well as a major tourist destination. Over 400 hectares (1,000 acres) in size, much of which is mature Douglas fir and cedar trees, the park offers visitors an aquarium, a miniature railway, pony rides, tennis, archery, shuffleboard, pitch-and putt golf, lawn bowling, restaurants, beaches, and Theatre Under the Stars -- live theatre on summer evenings at the Malkin Bowl.

Mini Parks
Developed in the 1970s, the system of mini parks helps to modify community traffic flow and provides a quiet space for West Enders.

Related Links:
West End City Profile

English Bay

Vancouver School Board

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