Top 7 Outdoor Parkour Spots in Greater Vancouver
As well as having a world-class indoor training facility, there are lots of great spots to train parkour outside for free, in and around Vancouver, BC.
This is my list of the top 7 places I recommend you visit, if you're in the region and want to do parkour.
#7 - Bridge District, Downtown Vancouver
Bridge District is an unofficial designation for both the Beach District and Marine District. There are some interesting features by the seawall here, including two nice big parks that are only a short walk away from each other.
George Wainborne Park and David Lam Park both have large water fountains, shaped by blocky concrete barriers, beside sprawling grassy fields. The Wainborne fountain is more cinematic but it can feel like you're putting on a bit of a show there. The Lam fountain is old and dilapidated, so it stays dry all year, but it's more parkour-friendly for that reason.
#6 - Coal Harbour, Downtown Vancouver
Between Coal Harbour Park and the seawall, there's a really nice S-shaped access ramp that is perfect for practicing vaults, jumps, and climb-ups. This area can be a busy on sunny weekends but it makes it a fun place to hang out.
This neighbourhood offers lots to explore too. If it's too hot out, Marina Square has some fun water challenges and a bit of shade. If it starts to rain, walk down Melville street and see if you can find the undercover spot.
#5 - Lions Gate Village, North Vancouver
This is basically a quasi-parkour park, beside the rec centre. It features a nice big fountain of concrete blocks that are asking to be jumped on. Right next to the fountain is a large playground with some great pull-up bars.
This is a super fun place to practice your strides and plyometrics or work on your precisions. Consider visiting during the winter to experience it with the fountain turned off.
#4 - Hastings Parkour Park, East Vancouver
This was the first official parkour park in the province. There's a really great concrete wall, beside a sandy volleyball court, which makes it the perfect place to practice climb-ups and flips. There is also an extra large set of rails that are fun climb and make it an excellent gym for a dynamic fitness workout.
This can be a challenging parkour park for beginners. Most of the vaults are hiding on the grassy knoll in the distance for some reason. There are pingpong tables and some other features around here you can engage with but you need to use your imagination to get most out of this area.
#3 - Penzer Parkour Park, Langley
This is literally Canadas biggest outdoor parkour park. There can be lots of kids running around here but there's lots of space to share and more than enough obstacles.
Wooden structures in a variety of shapes and sizes are pieced together with rails that seem like they're made from PVC, along rubber flooring. It's an exciting (and safe) place for kids but it's not as chill as the other parkour parks.
#2 - Hazelgrove Parkour Park, Surrey
This park offers a solid selection of legitimate parkour obstacles including concrete walls and vaults that are spaced out nicely with some very swingable metal rails over rubber flooring.
This is one of the best places for outdoor parkour training in BC.
#1 - Cottonwood Parkour Park, Coquitlam
Despite being kind of small, this park was really thoughtfully designed and blends together well with the basketball court, pingpong tables, and grassy field. The sheer variety of challenges that are possible within such a small spot is amazing.
It has all the vaults, walls and rails you need. On top of all that, lights can be turned on after dark, via the button by the electrical box, until 10 PM. This makes it well-worth the journey, which is an easy walk from Burquitlam skytrain station.
