Founded in 1886, Stanley Park was the first urban recreation area in the city of Vancouver, and, at more than 1,000 acres, is also the largest recreation area. Stanley Park features memorials throughout the grounds, including a statue of Lord Stanley, for whom the park is named, the Girl in a Wet Suit, a sculpture, and the Lumberman's Arch, a monument dedicated to Canada's logging industry. The park also features the Shakespeare Garden, a section of the park with trails winding through trees mentioned in William Shakespeare's plays. Stanley Park is on the western end of Vancouver on the Burrard Inlet peninsula.
The North Shore region of Vancouver offers man-made trails for mountain-bike riding. This area offers smooth trails for beginners and steep, ravine-like paths for expert bikers. The North Shore Mountain Bike Association, the main organization for mountain biking activities on the North Shore, coordinates mountain bike events and raises funds to maintain trails on the North Shore. Events include races and group bike rides. The North Shore is accessible from downtown Vancouver via the Trans-Canada Highway or the Lion's Gate Bridge.
The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre in Vancouver's Vanier Park is adjacent to the Museum of Vancouver. This attraction is free of charge, although the Space Centre does accept a donation. The building has a futuristic outdoor décor that resembles a flying saucer, and the steel statue in front of the Space Centre is a frequent spot for photograph opportunities. Visitors have access to space-themed shows in the Centre's planetarium, the Star Theater, and the Cosmic Courtyard, which offers interactive exhibits for children. The Space Centre's observatory features free telescopic space viewings on Friday and Saturday nights.
Granville Island in Vancouver's False Creek water inlet is actually a peninsula. Granville was once an industrial area filled with factories, but it now serves as a frequently visited tourist attraction and offers shops and restaurants. In addition, Granville has become home to a high concentration of artists, which has resulted in a widespread opening of art galleries. Most of these art galleries are free for the public to tour. Picnicking and walking paths are available at Sutcliffe Park on the south end of Granville Island.
