Great Canadian Skyline Thread II - Page 758

Monolith · #**15141** Posted **Oct 11, 2020, 5:44 PM**

Vancouver Balcony View Series by Ricky Deacon, on Flickr

fog in the city.. by iwona_kellie, on Flickr

TorontoDrew · #**15142** Posted **Oct 11, 2020, 6:30 PM**

Nice Vancity shots.

someone123 · #**15143** Posted **Oct 11, 2020, 9:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I also remember how devastated I was after Hurricane Juan. I was in Halifax about a week after the hurricane, and about 98% of those tall majestic pines had been destroyed. It was heartbreaking...........

The park is finally rebounding from Hurricane Juan, and looks significantly different now. There's an active forest management program to thin out damaged trees and allow others to grow, and they're taking out some of the invasive species like Norway Maples and chestnut trees. I guess it would take decades for new trees to be fully grown but there are lots of medium sized or larger survivors that can grow larger if given more space.

One interesting aspect of Point Pleasant is that a bunch of Douglas firs were planted there around 1900 or so, imported from BC. I am not sure how many survived the hurricane and what their plan is for conserving or replacing whatever is left. The local trees are mostly a mix of red oak, hemlock, and white pine.

There is a gnarly looking pine type tree with reddish bark that I am not sure about. There is a red pine but it is not the same tree, and it may not be native. Edit: Found it. It is called the Scots Pine and is an import from Europe. I wonder if they are culling these...

Martin Mtl · #**15144** Posted **Oct 11, 2020, 11:46 PM**

Gorgeous Vancouver pics! Thanks for sharing.

isaidso · #**15145** Posted **Oct 12, 2020, 12:49 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Mtl

I think that the Royal Mount park’s wow factor is its typography, being a hill in the center of the city, with superb and varied views of downtown. That and it’s size and luxurious forest with many paths and stairs. That makes it special.

The typography is an asset but we shouldn't dismiss the design elements that elevated it beyond being a wooded hill. It bears mentioning that the 2 most celebrated urban parks in North America, Central Park and Mont Royal, were both designed by Olmsted. To this day, he's viewed as one of the best landscape architects of all time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Law_Olmsted

isaidso · #**15146** Posted **Oct 12, 2020, 12:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool maudit

Mount Royal is great, maybe the best, but pre-Hurricane Point Pleasant in Halifax was something very special as well.

I agree with that 100%. It's less well known due to being in Halifax rather than a bigger, higher profile city. Point Pleasant Park is a gem.

kwoldtimer · #**15147** Posted **Oct 12, 2020, 1:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by isaidso

The typography is an asset but we shouldn't dismiss the design elements that elevated it beyond being a wooded hill. It bears mentioning that the 2 most celebrated urban parks in North America, Central Park and Mont Royal, were both designed by Olmsted. To this day, he's viewed as one of the best landscape architects of all time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Law_Olmsted

Mount Royal more “celebrated” than the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, Millenium Park, Boston Common, or River Walk? Please discuss ...

isaidso · #**15148** Posted **Oct 12, 2020, 1:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Mount Royal more “celebrated” than the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, Millenium Park, Boston Common, or River Walk? Please discuss ...

I suppose it depends on who you ask but, for me, Mont Royal and Central Park are the top 2. I'm a fan of Olmsted though. I view his as a cut above the rest.

Nouvellecosse · #**15149** Posted **Oct 12, 2020, 1:55 AM**

I spent much of a day in Mount Royal park in 2017 and I thought it was very nice, but other than the views I didn't find it notably better than other urban parks. I haven't been to the botanical gardens but personally my favourite park that I've been to in Montreal is La Fontaine. Perhaps because it was more connected to the urban neighbourhoods surrounding it. It's almost like if someone combined the Halifax commons and Public Gardens. I don't remember there being many flowers, but the trees and water feature combined with the sports facilities gives a very cool vibe. Plus it's huge - bigger than the commons and Public Gardens combined.

As for Point Pleasant, it doesn't have an urban vibe since it's not in a dense, vibrant neighbourhood like the Public Gardens or La Fontaine Park and it doesn't have any sports facilities, gardens, or anything. Just trails, some monuments, picnic tables, benches and lawn areas. To me this is something of a different category. If we were to include nature parks that just happen to be in a town or city then my favourite would have to be Victoria Park in Truro.

Martin Mtl · #**15150** Posted **Oct 12, 2020, 2:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Mount Royal more “celebrated” than the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, Millenium Park, Boston Common, or River Walk? Please discuss ...

It doesn't have to be a competition. Everyone of these parks are great and... different from one another.

Rico Rommheim · #**15151** Posted **Oct 12, 2020, 4:42 AM**

Awesome helicopter shots of Montreal!

kool maudit · #**15152** Posted **Oct 12, 2020, 10:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by isaidso

I agree with that 100%. It's less well known due to being in Halifax rather than a bigger, higher profile city. Point Pleasant Park is a gem.

Few parks will give you war monuments, beaches, ruined forts, ponds... it is still a great park, but before the hurricane there were some spaces in those woods that were natural cathedrals.

MonctonRad · #**15153** Posted **Oct 12, 2020, 1:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool maudit

Few parks will give you war monuments, beaches, ruined forts, ponds... it is still a great park, but before the hurricane there were some spaces in those woods that were natural cathedrals.

Agreed. The walk along the peripheral shoreline of Point Pleasant Park is still very pleasant. I however used to really appreciate the main path through the centre of the park, from Tower Road down to the tip of the peninsula. This trail passed right through the stand of towering pine trees, and really seemed exotic (by Maritime standards). I still feel the loss of these trees in that microburst associated with Hurricane Juan, and mourn the fact that regeneration will not be complete until long after I have departed this mortal coil...............

J.OT13 · #**15154** Posted **Oct 12, 2020, 2:20 PM**

Pretty crappy picture, but great vantage point:

https://www.ledroit.com/actualites/un-se...Etyqt86QXu_aRhB3s43BjAcjYHaj2Zh2DDanKzS0

J.OT13 · #**15155** Posted **Oct 12, 2020, 2:39 PM**

From Somerset Bridge, over the Trillium Line.

isaidso · #**15156** Posted **Oct 12, 2020, 5:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool maudit

Few parks will give you war monuments, beaches, ruined forts, ponds... it is still a great park, but before the hurricane there were some spaces in those woods that were natural cathedrals.

Yes, Toronto doesn't even have a park on par with it. The Toronto Islands come close but it lacks the elegance and refinement of Point Pleasant Park. High Park falls short of it too.