If you’re taking a stroll in Vancouver’s beautiful Fairview neighbourhood, there’s no place better to enjoy the view than Choklit Park. The tiny park is situated on the Fairview Slopes on West 7th and Spruce, where Purdy’s first chocolate factory used to stand. Today, it’s known for having one of the best views in the city, protected by the City to ensure it remains unobstructed for years to come.
Choklit Park’s sweet beginnings
The park itself dates back to the summer of 1970, when Vancouver’s Purdys Chocolatier sought to build better loading facilities at its first factory.
At the time, the Oak and 7th neighbourhood consisted primarily of “single-parent family homes with no backyards, locked between four busy roads,” according to Purdys CEO Karen Flavelle. Her father, Charles Flavelle, created this park to address Purdys’ loading needs and provide a space for children to play freely.
Flavelle constructed an adventure playground from scrap lumber and materials he supplied himself, building a fire pole and platform with his own son, according to a representative of Purdys. Once complete, the small but significant park drew families from across the city.
According to Purdys, Flavelle initially pointed out the glaring error in the spelling of “chocolate” on the park sign. However, a small crew replied that “choklit” was how children usually spelled it, and the name stuck.
“One of the best views of the city”
A Vancouver Reddit page praises Choklit Park for having “one of the best views of the city,” a sentiment that has over a thousand upvotes and numerous comments adding to the love train.
“Love this spot,” “proposed to my wife here,” and “one of my favourite spots” are just some of the most upvoted comments.
According to one Redditor, the park “has been a weed-smoking area for 55 years.” Do with that info what you will!
Despite the years of evolution and development Vancouver has gone through since the park’s inception, it remains an incredible place to enjoy landmark views of the city we all call home.
Where: 2400 Spruce St. at West 7th Avenue
Recent Posts:
There’s a ‘hidden’ Vancouver Island gem with rich tide pools less than 20 minutes from Nanaimo
The world’s longest free ferry ride sails across this B.C. lake into a different time zone
