NEIGHBOURHOOD

Riley Park

Vancouver

Introduction

Located at Vancouver’s highest point, Riley Park is bound by Cambie to the East and Fraser to the West, and 16th St. to the North and 41st St. to the South. This neighbourhood is home to the Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Centre and to Nat Bailey Stadium. Browse Main and Cambie Streets for unique boutiques, grocers, and restaurants. Main St. has a great selection of local designers and antique furniture.

Lifestyle

Riley Park is a cool, eco-conscious neighbourhood that offers many of the perks of living right downtown (great restaurants and shopping), without many of the drawbacks (there’s lots of greenspace here, so it feels less crowded than the city centre). Twentysomething hipsters, young families, and aging hippies are all equally at home in this area.

The Vibe

Everything’s coming up roses in Riley Park, from the blooms in Queen Elizabeth Park, to the floral patterns on the vintage dresses on Main St. (so well known as a vintage shopping haven that locals have taken to calling it Antique Row). This neighbourhood has cool, yet unpretentious, ambiance: hipsters and their moms can feel equally comfortable here.

Meet the Neighbours

Riley Park has a diverse demographic, ranging from young families to successful professionals, though the elderly population here is rather small. There is also a broad assortment of ethnicities here, but just about as many families’ mother tongue is Chinese as English. The 2006 census showed the median income for a family here to be $77,625.

In the Area

Riley Park is home to five public elementary schools (Sir William Van Horne, General Brock, David Livingstone, Edith Cavell, and General Wolfe) and two public secondary schools (Sir Charles Tupper and Eric Hamber). Hillcrest Community Centre offers a wide variety of recreational programs and services and it holds Vancouver’s largest aquatic centre, an ice rink, a fitness centre, and a gymnasium.

Distance from Vancouver City Hall

3 km

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Riley Park is an immensely walkable neighbourhood, and residents here never have to go far to get what they need, from the mundane to the exotic. On a good day, it’s only 20 minutes to downtown by car. It’s nearly as fast to take public transit, though, so you may want to leave the car at home, and read a book on your way into work.

The Good, the Bad & the Rest

Riley Park is located almost at the geographical centre of Vancouver, and, as such, is in an extremely convenient location for commuting just about anywhere in the Lower Mainland. There’s plenty to do in this neighbourhood and the added bonus of the green space at gorgeous Queen Elizabeth Park right at its centre.

Dollars & Sense

A location as central as Riley Park doesn’t come cheap, either for residents or retailers. There is a heavy emphasis on sustainability and quality locally-sourced and manufactured goods here (be it at the bakery, coffee shop, or clothing store) that means that you can easily empty your wallet…with a clear conscience.

Neighbourhood Hotspots

Queen Elizabeth Park

There's no doubt that Queen Elizabeth Park is the heart of Riley Park, both literally and figuratively. The gorgeous landscaping and views of the city are favorites with locals and tourists alike.

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Little Mountain Coffee Company

The coffee shop that takes its name from Riley Park's alternate name (Little Mountain) is a staple where locals pick up excellent coffee and sweet treats (the lavender honey cream cookies are to die for).

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The Fish Counter

Superb fish ‘n’ chips, ordered an eaten at a counter. If they had mushy peas, you'd think you were in England. They also have a take-away counter that sells fresh fish, crab cakes, and more.

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The French Table

Authentic French food by Master Executive Chef Hervé Martin, formerly of Hermitage Vancouver, paired with a fantastic wine list, and served in an elegantly styled dining room. A real treat.

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Devil May Wear

Clothing with a conscience. Locally-made eco-friendly threads only at this boutique. Though you’ll pay more for your clothes here, you can rest easy about how it was made…and by whom.

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Street Corner

Demographic Data

Riley Park
Housing
Neighbours
Habits
Cheers!
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