Really cute park near a school. A lot of space for families and they have a really big jungle gym…read more It's pretty quiet and relaxing. Love the trees and environment here.

vancouver public library is a wealth of information and resources for the community, housed in a…read morestriking building designed to resemble a modern day coliseum. the library provides accessible services to help ensure everyone can use the space comfortably, along with social services and community support resources. it also regularly features events such as talks, workshops, and activities for different age groups. the architecture is organized across several levels. the lower level is currently under construction. level 2 contains the main entrance, information desk, children's collection, library card services, and borrowing services. level 3 focuses on digital creativity, featuring the inspiration lab. this space provides free access to soundproof recording studios, including three sound booths for small groups and the larger terry mcbride recording studio for video and photography. to use these, you can book a session online up to two weeks in advance with your library card, allowing for a maximum of three hours per day. level 4 has collections related to business, cookbooks, esl, and fashion. level 5 is a quiet floor with newspapers and magazines available. level 6 holds dvds, music cds, and spoken word materials. level 7 includes special collections and human resources. level 8 features meeting rooms, a reading room, an eating area, temporary exhibit space, the family theatre, and several outdoor patios for fresh air while you work. level 9 includes additional meeting rooms and a very nice rooftop garden that serves as a great escape with a panoramic view of the city skyline. this green space is even equipped with solar panels that help power the ninth floor. beyond books, the library hosts a musical instrument lending library. you can borrow a variety of instruments free of charge for up to three weeks, including acoustic and electric guitars, violins, ukuleles, and keyboards. to borrow one, simply check the library catalogue to see if it is available and visit the service desk at the central library. inside the building, there are also several convenient services and businesses, including a td machine, blenz coffee, a convenience store, gift store, dental clinic, bike shop, and onigiri ya. together, these resources make the library a welcoming and useful place to study, learn, and spend time.

If I lived here, I'd go to the library at least twice a week (unlike now, where I only check out…read moreebooks online, and go in once every two years when they make me verify my residency). What an incredible resource for the citizens of Vancouver! We had a long layover so we explored every single floor of this library. There were so many computer stations if you needed to do work online, but also so many little nooks with comfy seating to settle down in with a good book. The rooftop had an incredible view of downtown Vancouver, and the atrium was nice and warm. There was currently an "electronic concert" going on where there were chairs set up so people could listen to recordings played over the speakers in the atrium. I thought it was a really neat way to get the community together to listen, discuss, and engage with one another.

For a government agency, I've found that customs surprisingly lacks bureaucracy. I immigrated to…read moreCanada, so I had produce a list of items I would import at a later date -- duty-free as a new arrival. I forgot two items, and I thought it would be a mess. No problem. I went to this office, and the officer just added it and stamped my list. If you forget the address, remember to search on Yelp. It's not easy to find this anywhere else. I got it from a customs officer I met in Victoria, BC.

One of several Canada Post outlets in the area. Really liking this new business model. This…read morelocation is tucked away at the back corner of Shoppers Drug Mart. Parking is available on the side streets, as well as in the non-free underground lot below the building. Requires a $5 purchase at SDM. I would stick with the side streets. Service was pretty quick. I was in and out in minutes.

Excellent service and amazing hours! Seven days a week! Just had a very good experience with the…read moreclerk who saved me over $20 in postage with her suggestions. Much appreciated!

Just north of the Sunset Beach concession stand, and just south of the big Anukchuk sculpture south…read moreof English Bay beach, on the east side of the grassy area adjacent to Beach Avenue, lies an undulating steel wall that seems to melt into the grassy knoll behind it. It is very subtle and rather understated and muted in its affect. It totally blends into its surroundings - so much so that many people I've talked to about this steel wall have mentioned they've passed it often and never even realized it's there. This metal ribbon-like wall is 60 feet in length and is actually comprised of multiple steel panels, each of which is laser-etched with the names of BC residents who have died from AIDS. There are 800 names in all at this time. Because the laser-etched names create a void in the metal plates, people are able to place notes and flowers in the name-holes. I think this is a lovely way for people to pay their respects to those they've lost. This memorial is similar to the Vietnam Memorial by Pei in Washington, DC (albeit on a much smaller scale): it is simple and stark in it's aesthetic, and melds into the landscape in a way that seems totally natural. It allows the surroundings to take center stage. It doesn't call attention to itself. It's a muted, respectful memorial. Artist Bruce Wilson dedicated this landmark "to the memory of those lost to HIV/AIDS, to the caregivers who eased their passing, and to those who live with the presence of their absence." Very thoughtful, comforting words.

After reading about the odd history of this square, how could I not visit this place…read more Too bad it was raining but the whole area here is very quiet despite the nice views, there's a few shops and salons and a parking lot. Some history here, the place is called as such due to a leg being found inside a boot a century or two ago. It was left in the town square hoping it's owner would come back to claim it.

This is the main (largest) branch of Burnaby Public Library, located next to Metropolis…read more Parking is plentiful in the underground lot. Not sure if it ever gets completely full, but I have never seen it happen. One thing to keep in mind that the gates close around 2000, which leads to the risk of getting one's car trapped overnight. There are also some metered spots on the surface. The place is fairly modern, but is a bit worn down from years of use. There are plenty of computer stations, and a nice atrium area with nice high windows. Lots of books inside too.

Look like the Burnaby Public Libarary was renovated sometime between Covid and now. It looks very…read morespacious and open. The inside was bright. On the weekend the library is super busy. The inside is super clean. The bathrooms are much more modern style and there is a cleaner cleaning it frequently.

Not sure what to say about Service Canada. Precovid, it was not so bad. I showed up and I saw a…read morelong long long line up out the door. I was told that if you are standing here, it will take 4+ hours and given the time I showed up, I will very likely not make it inside before the close. Service Canada has became so chaotic now. I don't recommend showing up unless you really needed to get an issue resolved in 2022. I will wait till all the Covid backlogs are done before going back maybe 2023 or 2024. My issue is an error that they made and can be corrected anytime. If you ask me why did I not mail my issue in? Did that and it was lost.

Every Service Canada location could learn a thing from the winners at the Kingsway location in…read moreVancouver BC. Specifically Loariane, Angie, Bupinder. These folks went above and beyond and their energy level especially first thing in the moment makes me a proud Canadian served by a strong governmen. Well done!