Finding The Start
westendTREEmap is a circular walk so you can pick it up at any point. However, it has been designed to be taken anti-clockwise and the recommended starting point is on Davie Street. For public transport information use Translink.
How long does the walk take?
1 hour
This self-guided walking route is 3km in length, and takes approximately 45 minutes without stopping. So a couple of hours is a more realistic estimate.
Theme – The Roots of a Street Name
Each of our tree maps has a theme and for this one we have chosen to look more closely at the naming of West End streets. Have you ever wandered down a street and thought, “I wonder why its called that?”. Well not on this walk because we are going to tell you! All the streets in the West End were named at the same time and by the same person, a man called Lachlan Hamilton (or L.A.Hamilton) who is responsible for naming most of the streets in Vancouver including all the main streets like Burrard, Granville and Hastings. Also, he is responsible for naming all the streets after trees that we see running through kitsTREEmap. What a legacy. While we supply this information as a point of interest, we are mindful that Vancouver’s history didn’t start with the settlers and deeper name roots are sure to exist among First Nations peoples.
What is the West End like?
There’s really just one word for it – charming. It’s hard to believe this section of Vancouver is in the city. It’s rather quiet most of the time until you dip into its bordering commercial streets Davie and Robson, which seems crazy considering it was labelled as one of the most densely populated areas of North America. There are a number of older buildings and many lovely gardens, boulevards, green spaces, tended back alleys and public seating areas. If you get to live here you are very privileged, if you get to visit, make the most of it because there are few better places to stay. With the ocean on your doorstep, the beauty of Stanley Park and lots of community life there’s lots to make you happy.
