DOLLARTON VILLAGE

One thing North Vancouver is not short on is beautiful neighbourhoods and villages. This will become especially apparent as you search for your dream home in North Vancouver and quickly realize that each little township and district is more beautiful than the last.

Dollarton Village is no exception. Given its intriguing history, breathtaking location, and access to all that Vancouver has to offer, Dollarton Village has become a favourite neighbourhood amongst both locals and folks looking to move to the Vancouver area.

Location

Dollarton Village is located due south of Deep Cove in North Vancouver and is home to some of the most beautiful shoreline and real estate in this part of the city. Nestled on the peninsula where Vancouver Harbour meets the Indian Arm, Dollarton Village boasts everything you would want in a neighbourhood located just outside of Vancouver proper.

Locals love the coastal scenery, views, and a little separation from the main city while not compromising easy access to all of the exciting things happening in downtown Vancouver. If you enjoy the amenities of city life but perhaps skew more toward the great outdoors and natural beauty of British Columbia than Dollarton Village may be the perfect spot for you to call home.

History of Dollarton Village

Western settlement of Dollarton Village dates back to the early 20 th Century. From 1918 to 1941, the Robert Dollar shipping line owned a small wharf and sawmill on this picturesque peninsula. Unfortunately, the Pacific War, the theatre of World War II fought in Asia and the Pacific, shut down much of Vancouver’s lumber trade. As such, the Robert Dollar shipping line sold its sawmill machinery to an operation on Vancouver Island. The old Dollar mill was located at the end of modern-day Bakerview St., and ruins of these early 1900s mills can still be seen and explored in nearby Cates Park.

The Village

The quaint setting of Dollarton Village lends itself to quietude and relaxation. A handful of local shops and shopping centers are scattered throughout the village – creating a great local feel outside of downtown Vancouver. Many of the boutique shops and businesses are locally owned which further adds to the flare and character of this already charming neighborhood.

Roche Point Park

In a cityscape full of green space, it is no surprise that Dollarton Village has a few parks to be proud of. The largest, serving as a western buffer for this fun little district, is Roche Point Park. Here, visitors can enjoy beautiful intersecting trails through old growth forests, ample places to picnic, and no shortage of opportunities for some natural rest and relaxation. Located just off the Dollarton Highway and easily accessible from any direction, Roche Point Park could soon find its place in your daily routine.

Cates Park

Cates Park occupies 22 hectares on the coast of the Dollarton Village peninsula and, as such, is the most popular destination in this beautiful neighborhood. Ancestrally, this green space was known as Whey-ah-Wichen by the Tsleil-Waututh people which translates to “faces the wind” in English. The park itself has something for the entire family and is a major bonus to living in an already desirable neighborhood. Cates is the largest waterfront park in this part of the city, with six kilometers of walking trails right along the shoreline. These trails are a great way to explore the beaches and coastal rainforest, looking for wildlife in the woods or seashells that may have washed ashore.

Further, the park is home to two playgrounds, plenty of open lawns, a swimming beach, boat launch, kayak rentals, and ample trails through the forest. Along these trails, you will find a First Nation totem pole and canoe, set aside to pay homage to the first humans to call this place home.

If you visit Cates Park in the summer months, be sure to bring a nice blanket and plan a day around relaxing and enjoying that nice British Columbia summer sunshine. Wally’s Burgers is a popular spot at the Cates Park Concession, especially during the Concerts in Cates Park series, which is typically in full swing from mid-July to mid-August. There are countless neighborhoods in the Vancouver area, each with its own charm and flare. Every district in North Vancouver is a little bit different and, ultimately, it is up to you to decide what is right for you and your family. However, if you are looking for a quiet, safe, beautiful part of North Vancouver that has easy access to both natural beauty and all the amenities and hustle and bustle of the urban environment, look no further than Dollarton Village. This coastal community strikes the perfect balance and is a great place to call home for both children and adults alike.