Portal Park

A cool, shaded oasis in the busy downtown, Portal Park features an elegant pavilion, lacy Japanese maples, and glimpses of Coal Harbour. The park is located above the north entrance to the Canadian Pacific Railway tunnel, which was opened in 1932 to move freight trains across the downtown peninsula; the tunnel is now used by the SkyTrain. Portal Park was officially opened in June of 1986 and was the result of an interesting agreement. The Canadian Pacific Railway CPR was about to abandon its False Creek Train Yards. Up to this point their trains ran through the Dunsmuir tunnel from the Creek to Burrard Inlet. At about the same time B.C. Transit approached the CPR as they were interested in the tunnel for their new ALRT line. Vancouver’s City Engineering Department was also interested in the tunnel. After a three way discussion an agreement was made between Marathon the development arm of the CPR, the City of Vancouver and B.C. Transit. Marathon gave up the Thurlow Street End site in exchange for other properties and higher density rights at their site across the street. They also contributed $100,000 toward the development of the park. B.C. Transit now TransLink now owns the tunnel and roll-out structure underneath the park and contributed $400,000 toward the park’s development. The park itself is constructed on a concrete roof and is owned by the City of Vancouver who also contributed $400,000 toward park construction.

This park has changed a lot over the years. Use to be a drinking park and kinda sketchy. Now it’s more relaxed, but still an older park.

Perfect spot for a micro wedding! See pictures: @goingtothechapelweddings

Nice park, mainly I love that they have ping pong tables that have paddles and balls available 24/7, it's pretty well maintained and clean also. Playground: Ping-pong and basketball

Very nice park, I am sure this would be a great place to eat a lunch you brought from home if you work in the area--rated lower though because 1 nearby street traffic makes it noisier than other parks 2 the couple of times I have been there, there have been beer bottles and lots of cigarette butts on the ground.

Long Time Since I've Been Vancouver. It's Home for Me Army Brat so Canada is My residence. Felt Fabulous being back First Stop Park like Setting Was Here. Ended up spending a couple hours There Restful Peaceful Beautiful Place

I visited this park once, it was for my first ever Deoxys EX Raid. Great turn out people 50+, would recommend trying for a raid pass here.

It's a good area for photo shoots in the spring and summer. It's a bit dirty and there are often homeless people, but it's not too busy.

I have visited this park on numerous occasions. I must say that often there is a breeze which can leave your hands cold as ice, but it's something I'm willing to sacrifice.

I wouldn't call this a park and today I removed 30 needles from that park, so... It's a place where business people working in the downtown core smoke and chill briefly. It's not a relaxing park.

Directions to Portal Park with public transportation

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