Published: April 21, 2021
Marpole is one of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods. Formerly known as Eburne and located in southwest Vancouver, this onetime working-class community has an ancient First Nations heritage and modern industrial past related to logging and fishing along the Fraser River. As a gateway for those entering the city from international destinations via YVR Airport or cities south of the Fraser, Marpole has grown into a multi-ethnic and diverse neighbourhood of people from around the world.
Here’s a look at 5 things to do in Marpole that may surprise you.
Discover the Marpole Midden, National Historic Site of Canada
The modern community of Marpole is located on the unceded territory of the Musqueam First Nation. The Musqueam Midden cairn at Marpole Park (73rd and Cartier) represents recognition of the discovery of a large midden site – c̓əsnaʔəm – that contains the remains of a Coast Salish winter village as well as shellfish remains and various artifacts from early inhabitants of the site, dating from 1500 to 2900 years ago.
Check out the street art
The Marpole commercial district along Granville Street has a variety of vibrant street art pieces to view. The I Love Marpole word art sign sits at the entrance into the community at West 63rd Avenue, welcoming people and commuters into the community. A second sign will be installed at 70th and Granville in summer 2021.
The VMF x Marpole 2020 program brought the Vancouver Mural Festival into Marpole, producing three powerful and colorful murals in the commercial district for summer 2020. Love All Your Neighbours is a large mural with a powerful message of love and acceptance, by artist Jocelyn Wong, located on West 66th Avenue. The bright and cheerful Birds and Bees mural by artist Vanessa Taylor can be found on Wet 65th Avenue, while artist Rachel Wada produced “Waves,” in the 8600 block, a colorful mural featuring traditional Japanese visual motifs and iconography, re-imagined with a contemporary twist.
Check out the playful mural on the Marpole Branch Library (8386 Granville St.) or the colourful Fraser River landscape on the wall of the former Marpole Starbucks at 64th and Granville. Both of these murals were part of a collaboration between the Marpole BIA and the Emily Carr University of Art + Design. You may also spot one of Vancouver artist Ola Volo’s first public works, on an electrical box at the corner of 70th and Granville Street.
Be sure to view the permanent crosswalk installation by Musqueam artist Robyn Sparrow across Granville Street at the Marpole Safeway (8475 Granville St.). This artwork reflects the First Nations artistic and cultural heritage of the community. There are also several excellent examples of Musqueam weaving along the sidewalk in front of the Safeway.
Musical Marpole
Enjoy free musical entertainment by local jazz, rock and instrumental musicians on Granville Street at the Marpole Library every Saturday afternoon during the summer months of July to August.
Eat your way around the world
Marpole has an amazing variety of ethnic food restaurants on Granville Street. Whether it’s a world class Japanese sushi bar, Thai, Chinese, Hong Kong, Indian, Vietnamese, sweet bubble tea or even healthy yoghurt drinks, there’s a restaurant for every taste.
Go for a walk along the Fraser River
Discover a local secret located along the Fraser River waterfront at Hudson Street south of Marine Drive. Enjoy the quiet Fraser River Trail that stretches along the river in front of the Coast Mountain Bus property, with seating areas to watch the planes land at YVR Airport and the tugboats go up and down the working Fraser River.
