Vancouver's plane spotting heaven: YVR Flight Path Park

Local aviation enthusiasts have a place of their own with the recently completed new and improved Larry Berg Flight Path Park at YVR.

It is one of the best spots in the region to watch planes land and take off. Located at the corner of Russ Baker Way and Airport Road, directly across the street from BCIT Aerospace, the park is directly in line with the end of the south runway, making it a prime location to plane spot.

The eastern end of the south runway is one of the airport’s busiest areas for aircraft movements, seeing an average of 250 takeoffs and landings per day. Whether it be tallied by freight, passenger count or aircraft movements, Vancouver International Airport is also the second busiest airport in the country.

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YVR’s Larry Berg Flight Path Park is the perfect place for a family picnic on a sunny day, or to watch the planes soar overhead as they depart and arrive from destinations around the world.

The park was closed over the summer to carry out major changes and upgrades commissioned by the Vancouver Airport Authority.

According to YVR, improvements and additions to the green space include:

• A raised central plaza featuring a giant globe is the focal point of the park. The globe celebrates YVR’s role in connecting British Columbia with the entire world and can be climbed on and explored from many vantage points. Tail wings feature historical YVR facts and educational aviation statistics that tell the story of YVR and why it is one of the best airports in the world.
• Small hills and berms have been added to allow for better views and a viewing platform has been created to provide a spot to see the runway over top of the perimeter fence. Information boards describe some of the identifying features of aircrafts so that even novice plane spotters can identify the aircraft overhead.
• Walking trails have been added and the runways paths have been enhanced and stylized to reflect the markings and lights of YVR’s runways.
• The existing memorial benches have been incorporated into the design of the park. These new benches are made from recycled material and can be used to sit upon, reflect and enjoy the park.
• The picnic tables have also been updated and new paper airplane style benches have been added to create more seating and add to the design elements and theme of the park.

Click on map for enlarged version.

Source/Images: Vancouver Airport Authority