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The route travels through the lush Sanctuary, alongside several notable
buildings, and through themed gardens and other recreational space. A walk in
the southwest corner of Hastings Park near Renfrew Street is a fantastic way to
experience the rich diversity of this expansive and evolving public space.
The walking route starts and finishes at Hastings Community Centre near Lillooet
Street. Hastings Community Centre was opened in 1956 after extensive fundraising
efforts. It serves the Hastings-Sunrise Community by offering a wide variety of
recreational programs and events. The Centre is located in Hastings Community
Park: one of Vancouver’s oldest parks. This park boasts a wealth of amenities
for both children and adults. A highlight is the new children’s spray park. In
the summer, shrieks from the adjacent Pacific National Exhibition help create a
festive atmosphere.
From the Community Centre, proceed north, crossing East Hastings Street.
Continue east to the entrance to the Hastings Park Sanctuary. In 1998-99, 15.5
hectares of Hastings Park were cleared of structures and blacktop so that the
Sanctuary could be created. Upon entering you are overcome with a feeling of
peace in this lush refuge, as it overflows with greenery and bird calls. Follow
the pathway around the Sanctuary counter clockwise.
 The main feature of the Sanctuary is the day lighting of a stream that, for more
than 50 years, had been contained in an underground culvert. The Vancouver
Engineering department has enthusiastically collaborated on the project of
guiding the storm waters from the surrounding neighbourhood into the Sanctuary
marsh, where the water is cleansed through a sophisticated biofiltration system.
Eventually, the water collected in the pond could run into Hastings Creek; which
is planned to deliver the water into a salt marsh north of Hastings at New
Brighton Park. The ultimate dream would be to have fish return to this long
buried urban creek. The Sanctuary represents the beginning of the greening
efforts in the Park, and it is already a fantastic success!
After only a few years, the lake, water plants, islands and still-fragile
landscaping are attracting birds into the Park. Local renowned naturalist Al
Grass, along with a number of avid bird watchers, has confirmed sightings of 106
species. They include everything from songbirds like the common yellowthroat, to
a variety of sea birds such as Caspian terns. The arched bridge provides a
wonderful viewing point for the waterfowl that now call the Sanctuary home.
As you leave the Sanctuary, head west, then veer right toward the Agrodome. The
Agrodome is one of four buildings in the south west corner of the Park. It was
built in 1963 and holds 5,000 people or 3,260 when configured to use the hockey
or lacrosse surface. Beyond the Agrodome to the north, lies the Pacific
Coliseum. For many years the Pacific Coliseum was the city’s largest indoor
venue for sports and entertainment, accommodating close to 18,000 people. In
2010, the Pacific Coliseum was the competition site for figure skating and short
track speed skating events for the Olympic Winter Games.
 Keeping the Agrodome on your right, continue west beside the children’s play
area. Turn left along the northern edge of "Il Giardino Italiano". Enter the
Garden’s main promenade and proceed south. Il Giardino Italiano, completed in
2000, is one of the most elaborately detailed gardens in the City's entire park
system. Following the Second World War Italian immigrants predominantly settled
in the surrounding Hastings Sunrise and Grandview Woodlands neighbourhoods. This
project was championed by many of the families and businesses residing in the
area. Il Giardino’s distinctive Italian-style plantings include pear, lavender,
mulberry and grape.
Turn left to circle the length of the enchanting water feature, returning again
to the main promenade. The Opera Walkway has intricate stone carvings that
decorate the walls and flank the unique water features. The carvings tell the
story of Italy’s love for opera. Bocce courts, numerous seating areas and a
large feast table make Il Giardino Italiano a wonderful gathering area in the
Park.
Turn left, and proceed past the world renowned Hastings Bowl Skate Park. Catch a
glimpse of some gravity defying aerials before heading towards the next tranquil
garden. Follow the path left, then turn right to pass between The Forum building
on the right, and The Garden Auditorium to the left. The Forum can accommodate
up to 4000 people and is commonly used for concerts, banquets and trade shows.
The Garden Auditorium is a beautiful heritage building with a built in stage and
wooden floors.
Proceed along the pathway to the Momiji Japanese Garden.
 After having experienced the urban nature of the Sanctuary and the formal
gardens of Il Giardino Italiano, the Momiji Garden offers a more subtly
disciplined choice of plantings, shading, placement and elevations. It was
completed in 1993 and commemorates the tragic Hastings Park internment of more
than 8,000 Canadians of Japanese origin almost 52 years before its completion.
Continue northeast to return to the Sanctuary. Follow the path counter
clockwise, to return to the entrance, then cross Hastings Street to return to
the starting point at the Community Centre.
Throughout most of the twentieth century, Hastings Park was home to two
institutions: the Pacific National Exhibition, and the Hastings Racecourse. Over
the years, the site lost its park character because of the construction of many
buildings and parking lots. Between 1997 and 2001 major developments occurred.
In 2010, the Empire Fields were transformed yet again, and are now a temporary
home for the BC Lions and the
Vancouver Whitecaps. There is great interest in
the redevelopment of Hastings Park, with hopes to expand the Sanctuary, create
more green space, and connect a walkway through to New Brighton Park. The vast
land mass provides great opportunity for Hastings Park to realize its full
potential as a truly diverse city-wide asset.
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