By Edna Batengas-Chow, Events, Communications, and Marketing Officer, Dialogue and Engagement Unit
Summer has a way of bringing people outside. Parks fill with picnics and conversations, waterfront paths become gathering places, and public squares come alive with festivals, markets, and community events. As we spend more time outdoors, we also spend more time sharing space with one another, creating opportunities for connection in both planned and unexpected ways.
Public life does not only happen in lecture halls, community centres, or event venues. It also unfolds in the parks, plazas, waterfronts, and gathering spaces people share every day.
At 911吃瓜 Public Square, we care about the spaces that bring people together and create opportunities for dialogue, connection, and participation. Public spaces play an important role in community wellbeing, offering places where people can gather, reflect, engage with their surroundings, and experience the diversity of life around them.
Whether it's a walk along the seawall, an afternoon in a neighbourhood park, or a community celebration in a public plaza, these spaces help foster a sense of belonging and connection.
This summer, we invite you to explore some of the Lower Mainland's most welcoming and accessible public spaces.
Waterfront Spaces Worth Exploring
Location: Downtown Vancouver waterfront
Best for: Waterfront walks, harbour views, people-watching, public events, cultural celebrations, and summer festivals.
Located along Vancouver鈥檚 downtown waterfront, Canada Place is one of the city鈥檚 most recognizable public spaces. On a summer day, the area is full of movement: seaplanes taking off over Coal Harbour, cruise ships arriving at the terminal, cyclists passing along the seawall, and people gathering along the promenade to take in views of Stanley Park, Burrard Inlet, and the North Shore Mountains.
The space often hosts free public events, outdoor performances, cultural celebrations, public art, and community gatherings. Its mix of ocean views, open pedestrian space, and constant activity makes it a strong example of how public spaces can bring residents and visitors into shared civic life.
Location: North Vancouver, beside Lonsdale Quay and the SeaBus terminal
Best for: Skyline views, quiet picnics, reading outdoors, harbour watching, and relaxed waterfront walks.
Waterfront Park offers open green space, wide harbour views, and easy access to one of the North Shore鈥檚 most active transit and gathering areas. With the SeaBus arriving nearby, downtown Vancouver across the water, and people moving between Lonsdale Quay, the Shipyards, and the waterfront path, the park feels both connected and calm.
In the summer, people gather here to picnic on the grass, journal, meet friends after work, watch seaplanes, or simply enjoy a slower moment by the water. It is a welcoming public space for rest, reflection, and everyday connection.
Location: New Westminster riverfront, along the Fraser River
Best for: Riverfront walks, boardwalk views, family outings, seasonal markets, public performances, and community festivals.
New Westminster Quay and Westminster Pier Park create one of the region鈥檚 most inviting riverfront public spaces. The boardwalk offers views of the Fraser River, passing tugboats, public open seating areas, playgrounds, and access to River Market.
During the summer, the Quay becomes a lively gathering place for families, walkers, cyclists, market visitors, and people attending community festivals or public performances. What makes the area especially welcoming is that people can enjoy the space without needing to spend money. A walk along the river, time on the boardwalk, or a quiet seat near the water can all become part of public life.
Location: West Vancouver
Best for: Beach walks, family outings, mountain views, picnics, and quiet reflection.
Stretching along the shoreline beneath the Lions Gate Bridge, Ambleside Park offers some of the region's most spectacular waterfront views. Looking east, visitors can see Stanley Park, downtown Vancouver, cargo ships anchored in English Bay, and mountains rising behind the city skyline.
Throughout the summer, families gather near the beach, children play in the open fields, and dog owners stroll along the waterfront pathways. The sound of waves, seabirds, and distant harbour activity creates a calm atmosphere that feels far removed from the pace of downtown life.
The park's wide-open spaces and accessible shoreline make it one of the Lower Mainland's most welcoming public gathering places.
Parks and Green Spaces for Rest and Reflection
Location: Vancouver, near Cambie Street and West 33rd Avenue
Best for: Gardens, city views, picnics, photography, summer blooms, and quiet walks.
Queen Elizabeth Park is one of Vancouver鈥檚 most scenic green spaces, offering public gardens, open lawns, walking paths, and some of the best views of the city. During the summer, the Quarry Garden is full of colour, visitors gather near the viewpoints, and people move through the park slowly, taking in the flowers, skyline, and mountain views.
The park is a strong example of how green spaces support both individual wellbeing and community connection. Whether someone is visiting with family, taking photos, walking alone, or sitting quietly in the shade, the space invites people to pause and feel connected to the city around them.
Location: Burnaby, near Burnaby City Hall and the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
Best for: Lakeside walks, outdoor concerts, festivals, picnics, paddleboarding, and community gatherings.
Deer Lake Park is one of Burnaby鈥檚 most versatile public gathering spaces. With lakeside trails, open lawns, cultural facilities, and views across the water, the park supports everything from quiet solo walks to large outdoor events.
In the summer, the area becomes especially active with concerts, festivals, family outings, and informal meetups. People come to walk, picnic, paddle, exercise, or spend time outside with friends. Its mix of nature, arts, and community programming makes Deer Lake Park a meaningful example of shared public infrastructure serving people across generations.
Location: Port Moody, along Burrard Inlet
Best for: Sunset walks, waterfront views, picnics, playgrounds, kayaking, ice cream runs, and summer evenings with friends.
Nestled along the shores of Burrard Inlet, Rocky Point Park is one of the Lower Mainland's most beloved waterfront gathering places. On a warm summer evening, the park comes alive with activity. Children race through the spray park, families spread picnic blankets across the open lawns, and groups of friends gather near the shoreline to watch the sun slowly dip behind the mountains.
The park's long pier stretches out into the inlet, offering panoramic views of the water, surrounding forests, and the North Shore mountains in the distance. Kayakers and paddleboarders glide across the calm water while cyclists and walkers move along the Shoreline Trail connecting Rocky Point to neighbouring communities.
Just steps away, visitors can grab a scoop from Rocky Point Ice Cream, explore Brewers Row, or settle onto the grass to enjoy live music and community festivals that often activate the space throughout the summer months.
Whether you're meeting friends after work, enjoying a sunset stroll, or simply sitting quietly by the water, Rocky Point Park demonstrates how public spaces can foster connection, recreation, and a sense of belonging.
Urban Public Spaces and Civic Life
Location: Downtown Vancouver, between Howe and Hornby Streets
Best for: Public events, people-watching, civic engagement, outdoor performances, and urban gathering.
Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, Robson Square serves as one of the city's most significant civic gathering spaces. Surrounded by government buildings, shops, restaurants, and cultural institutions, it provides an accessible public forum where everyday city life unfolds.
Throughout the year, and especially during the summer months, the plaza hosts public performances, community programming, art installations, cultural celebrations, and seasonal events. The open design of the space encourages people to pause, gather, and participate in public life, whether they are attending an event or simply passing through.
Robson Square also plays an important role in supporting civic expression, often serving as a venue for public demonstrations, awareness campaigns, and community conversations. Its visibility and accessibility help make civic participation a visible and integral part of urban life.
Location: False Creek, Vancouver
Best for: Public markets, waterfront walks, arts and culture, outdoor performances, and community gathering.
While often recognized as a popular tourist destination, Granville Island is also one of Vancouver's strongest examples of successful public space design. The waterfront district combines public markets, cultural venues, artist studios, open plazas, and pedestrian-friendly walkways that invite visitors to explore and linger.
Throughout the summer, the island buzzes with activity. Musicians perform along the boardwalks, artists showcase their work in public spaces, and visitors gather along the waterfront to enjoy views of False Creek. Shared seating areas, open courtyards, and accessible public spaces encourage people to spend time together regardless of age, background, or purpose for visiting.
Many people spend hours simply wandering the docks, listening to live music, enjoying the public market, or sitting by the water without needing to make a purchase. This balance of cultural activity, public access, and community interaction makes Granville Island a powerful example of how thoughtfully designed public spaces can strengthen civic life and social connection.
How Public Spaces Shape Connection and Belonging
Public spaces are more than physical places. They are where people experience community in everyday ways.
Whether it is a conversation with a neighbour, a community festival, a walk along the waterfront, or simply sharing space with others, public spaces create opportunities for connection that help people feel part of something larger than themselves.
These shared environments bring together people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. They provide accessible places to gather, reflect, learn, and engage with the communities around us. In doing so, they help foster a sense of belonging and strengthen the social fabric of our cities.
As cities continue to grow and evolve, public spaces remain essential to fostering belonging, civic participation, and community wellbeing. They remind us that strong communities are built not only through the places where we live and work, but also through the shared environments that bring people together.
At 911吃瓜 Public Square, we are interested in the spaces, ideas, and experiences that shape public life. To stay informed about upcoming events, articles, and opportunities to engage with issues affecting communities across British Columbia, subscribe to our newsletter.