Renewal & Rebirth: it’s Cherry Blossom season in Vancouver.
Is there a prettier and more welcome time of year in British Columbia’s lower mainland? After 9 months without reprieve of claustrophobic looming grey cloud and incessant rain, the delicate fluffy pink and white blossoms are a welcome sight indeed. And they are everywhere. Vancouver boasts one of the highest concentrations of cherry blossoms outside of Japan, the origins of which date back to 1925 when the mayors of Kobe and Yokohama presented the Vancouver Park Board with five hundred trees as a gift. With the coming of drier and sunnier weather, it is the perfect time to get out for some urban baby wearing adventures.
Here are some of our favourite Cherry Blossom viewing parks and urban routes for your next baby wearing outing:
Parks around Vancouver:
Queen Elizabeth Park (beautiful, panoramic views of the mountains and city)
David Lam Park (perfect for picnics)
Stanley Park (a Vancouver staple)
Nitobe Memorial Garden UBC.
Van Dusan Garden (paid entry but absolutely stunning). These Gardens are also host to the annual Sakura Days Japan Fair in which Japanese culture is showcased amongst the setting of sprawling Cherry Blossom Trees. A must if you haven’t been. See below for details:
https://japanfairvancouver.com
APRIL 11-12 (THIS WEEKEND!)
Babies and children under 5: FREE!
Adults: $24
Seniors & Youth (age 13 - 18): $19
Children (Age 5-12): $9
Urban Cherry Blossom viewing routes around Vancouver:
Gravely Street (at Lilooett)
East 3rd Ave (at Rupert)
Garry Point Park (Richmond - a bit further out but worth the trek)
Burrard Station
Yaletown
If you’d like to plan ahead and make a full day of urban cherry blossom viewing, the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival has created a highly detailed map of Vancouver and surrounding areas:
