Riley Park is a midtown neighbourhood in Vancouver, British Columbia, bounded in clockwise order from the north by 16th Avenue, Fraser Street, 41st Avenue, and finally Cambie Street on the west with SkyTrain stations at King Edward and 41st Avenues. Main Street, the principal commercial thoroughfare p;arallel to Cambie and Fraser, bisects the neighbourhood into nearly even east and west halves. Probably the most picturesque neighbourhood landscapes, Mountainview Cemetery in the eastern half and Queen Elizabeth Park in the western, are in the city area of highest elevation, Little Mountain, 500 feet above sea level, a former name for the neighbourhood from the days when it was much smaller.
Overpopulation has not been a problem in Riley Park lately. There has been a gradual, hardly perceptible decrease from 21,990 in 2001 to 21,815 in 2006 to 21,795 in 2011, year of the most recent quinquennial census. Nearly 40 percent of residents are immigrants, mostly Chinese and Filipino. Average family annual income is nearly $89,000, and nearly 49 percent of residents have university degrees.
History & Heritage
In the late 19th Century, neighbourhood pioneers cut logging trails around the base of Little Mountain, and quarry workers mined its volcanic rock for use as pavement for the area’s first roads. The plan to transform the quarries into sunken gardens took hold in the 1930s, King George VI dedicated the park in a 1939 visit, and in 1940 Little Mountain formally became Queen Elizabeth Park in honor of the king’s consort.
Over the next 15 years, the Vancouver Park Board converted the land into lushly sculpted sunken gardens. With landscaping complete by the mid-1950s, the park reached its present splendor. Meanwhile, Mountainview Cemetery, owned and maintained by the city since 1886, now has new spaces available for the first time in more than 20 years in lots purchased before 1940 but never claimed.
Olympic Legacy
In Hillcrest Park across Midlothian Avenue from Queen Elizabeth Park, the Hillcrest Centre served as the venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics curling event. Constructed with post-Olympic community recreation in mind, this multifaceted athletic facility operates an aquatic center, a fitness center, a year-round ice-skating rink, a dance studio, game rooms, athletic fields, and sports instructional programs. The Vancouver Park Board and the Riley Park Community Association jointly administer the complex.
In the same area as the Queen Elizabeth and Hillcrest parks, in a playground near Ontario Street and 33rd Avenue there is an artificial boulder that has become a neighbourhood landmark since its fabrication in 2002. Climbers who enjoy this alternative to costly indoor climbing gyms expect the boulder to remain there for a long time. “It’s absolutely indestructible and will be here in the next glacier era,” says an acrobatics instructor for CircusWest, a Vancouver performing arts society. Despite the boulder’s popularity, however, the park board probably will not build another because of cost and potential liability. The boulder budget more than doubled during fabrication, and a new one could cost as much as $100,000.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION meets modern SOPHISTICATION. Brand new SIDE by SIDE half DUPLEX, just a stone's throw from QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK and HILLCREST Community Centre. The main floor features a bright, OPEN CONCEPT floor plan, a gourmet kitchen with a GAS STOVE, Fisher & Paykel appliances, and a LARGE ISLAND that’s perfect for entertaining. The large family room opens up to your fully fenced SOUTH FACING back yard. Upstairs you will find 3 large bedrooms, including 2 with ensuite bathrooms, a dedicated laundry room, and 2 balconies with STUNNING MOUNTAIN VIEWS. This home features RADIANT in-floor heating, heat pump AIR CONDITIONING, HRV, Control4 SMART HOME system, 4-CAMERA SECURITY system, ON-DEMAND HOT WATER and BUILT-IN VAC. Also includes a GARAGE and a 2nd, GATED PARKING spot.More details
A fantastic opportunity to own a renovated, turn key property in the desirable Main and Fraser area! This tastefully updated, 6 bedroom, 3 bathroom 2,243 square foot home is perfect for families that would appreciate having a mortgage helper or savvy investors alike. This spacious, clean and freshly painted home features 3 bedrooms upstairs and a self-contained 3-bedroom basement suite with its own laundry and separate entry. Enjoy the convenience of being located just steps from transit, great schools, parks and shops in this family friendly neighbourhood. Easy to show and ready for you to move in! Call now for your private showing. Open Saturday March 23rd from 2-3:30pm.More details
Circa 1910 Main Street. Same owners since 1980, this home has been well-maintained and many of its original features such as stained glass, wood burning fireplace, wainscotting and fir floors have been preserved. 2 bedrooms and open flex space up with full bath, mudroom, enclosed front porch and mountain views. Living, dining and kitchen with breakfast nook, pantry and deck overlooking quaint urban garden. Wonderful 36' wide lot allows for nice open side yard and light for all 3 levels of the home. 2 bedroom suite down with large bath and jetted tub. Webber is a quiet side street 1 block from Main + King Edward and all of the stores, bars and restaurants Main St is famous for. 2 resident only street parking in front and no back lane.More details
Welcome to the Opal, a refined living experience for the discerning 55+ community in Vancouver's west side. This 2-bed, 2-bath home boasts a 1,000 sqft private patio located on the South Side of the building (Quiet Side). Open concept kitchen with an entertainers island and Bosch stainless steel appliances make up the elegant kitchen. Discover ten unique dining spaces, unwind in the fireside library lounge, or rejuvenate in the Natural Wellness Spa with its one-of-a-kind Himalayan rock salt sauna. Enjoy the rooftop patio and lush garden. Explore your passions in music, art, and workshop studios. Keep fit in the specialized gym, or enjoy a game night in the hobbies and games area. Your well-being is a priority with air-conditioned suites, sound-absorbent flooring, and a suite-to-concierge telephone system. Elevate your lifestyle with an exclusive wine and Scotch bar, a beauty salon, and a theater for entertainment, seminars, recitals, and more. Opal by Element is the epitome of refined living.More details
Presenting a beautiful two-bedroom townhouse in the sought after Riley Park Neighbourhood. This newly constructed residence with meticulous high-end owner enhancements creates a one-of-a-kind living space with an elegant touch, setting it apart from the ordinary. Featuring a bespoke kitchen and three distinct outdoor areas, including a rooftop patio. This home enjoys a prime location situated on the peaceful Manitoba side of the Just West development. Easy walking access to the Canada Line, Main/Cambie street's shopping and dining options, top-tier educational institutions, QE Park, Nat Bailey Stadium and Hillcrest Community Center. Additional highlights: two parking spots, one equipped with EV charging, a spacious private storage room and a bicycle storage area.More details