Memorial South Park

About the Park
This large park is enjoyed by sports teams and neighbours alike. The formal tree-lined entry leads to the war memorial that gives the park its name; the track beyond is a popular place to exercise and socialize. The pond is a quiet place to watch the dragonflies and ducks.

A lit synthetic turf field and a nearby running track opened in mid-2011. Soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and ultimate players can now book the field. The nearby track was upgraded from a cinder track to a six-lane, rubberized surface—the first with low level lighting in the Vancouver park system—and is available on a first come first served basis. Users include local residents who walk around the track and students from several elementary and secondary schools. The oval inside the track is used by both cricket and ultimate teams.

History
Originally known as Wilson Park (West 41st Avenue was known as Wilson Road at the time) this site was acquired by tax sales and was part of the South Vancouver Municipality before the City was amalgamated in 1929. Municipal Engineer E. Dundas Todd designed the park as a memorial to soldiers who perished in World War I. Vancouver’s first Cenotaph, located at South Vancouver Municipal Hall was relocated to the park later on November 11, 1939. The new park was officially opened on May 22, 1926.

For many years the park played host to whippet racing but the most exciting event had to be an emergency plane landing on the football field during the Second World War. It seems the trainer plane from the No. 18 Elementary Air Training School at Boundary Bay had gotten off course, was low on fuel and had to make a forced landing.

Ball Hockey
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Baseball Diamonds
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Cricket Pitches
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Field Hockey
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Field Houses
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Lacrosse Boxes
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Lighted Fields
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Picnic Sites
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Playgrounds
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Running Tracks
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Soccer Fields
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Softball
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Tennis Courts
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Ultimate Fields
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Washrooms
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