Kitsilano Beach
Kitsilano Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Vancouver, especially in the warm summer months. Located at the north edge of the Kitsilano neighborhood, the beach faces out onto Burrard Inlet with a stunning outlook spanning from English Bay, to the North Shore Mountains to Stanley Park. The beach is home to the longest swimming pool in Canada, the salt-water outdoor Kitsilano Pool, as well as a large playground, basketball courts, concession stand, and a number of beach volleyball courts. There is something at Kits beach for everyone.
This area was originally known as Greer's Beach, named for the pioneer who unsuccessfully challenged the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) take over of his homestead here in the 1890s. Later, private citizens raised the money to purchase the beach front land back from the CPR while the Park Board leased additional lots to create this popular park. – via Vancouver Parks Board
Kitsilano Pool
Kitsilano Pool is now officially open for the 2011 season!
Kitsilano Pool—Kits Pool to locals is situated on the water in the heart of Kitsilano. Kits Pool stretches out in all its glory. At 137 meters (150 yards), it’s Canada’s longest pool—almost three times longer than an Olympic pool—and Vancouver’s only heated salt water pool.
With its white bottom and turquoise water and its spectacular views of the ocean, the mountains, Kits Beach, and the skyline of Vancouver’s West End, glittering across English Bay. Kits Pool is a vacation destination unto itself, and just stepping through the gates feels like an escape.
To accommodate every type of pool-goer, the pool is divided into three sections, each running lengthwise: a shallow section for families and small children, a middle section of roped-off lanes for lap-swimmers and exercisers (the lifeguards are tenacious in keeping the lanes clutter and kid—free), and a deep end for more casual adult and teen bathers.
Kitsilano Pool was opened at the water's edge in 1931 and became an instant success. It was replaced in 1979 by an oceanside tank which is sports salt water and is heated. This is the park where old Engine #374, that in 1886 pulled the first transcontinental CPR train into Vancouver, resided for many decades on a piece of track on an old CPR right-of-way. The Engine was lovingly restored by train buffs in time for EXPO '86. The train now resides in a plexi-glass pavilion adjacent to the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre.