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THE PARK
The world's finest gardens, parks, and green spaces — explored with the unhurried attention they deserve.
"Every great walk begins the moment you stop looking at your phone."— Gerald Shaffer
WHY PARKS?
Because the best days are often the simplest ones. Because a forest trail at 7am, before the world has fully started, is one of the most reliable forms of happiness available to a person with a decent pair of shoes. Because parks are where cities remember what they are made of.
Each entry in the "A Walk in the Park" series covers a single park or garden in the depth it deserves — the history, the trails, the wildlife, the practical logistics, the places to stay, and the things that make it worth going out of your way for. We include bear safety information where relevant, Leave No Trace principles throughout, and Gerald's Verdict at the end of every entry.
The series begins in British Columbia — Cliff Gilker Park in Roberts Creek and Stanley Park in Vancouver — and will expand globally. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in Paris. Hampstead Heath in London. Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo. The Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech. The parks that locals know and visitors overlook. The ones worth the detour.
ALL ENTRIES
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CLIFF GILKER PARK
Roberts Creek · British Columbia, Canada
Where the ferns are taller than your ambitions and the waterfalls don't care what day it is.
xʷməθkʷəy̓əm · Sḵwx̱wú7mesh
STANLEY PARK
Vancouver · British Columbia, Canada
Canada's greatest urban forest — where 400 hectares of old-growth meets the Pacific.
19e Arrondissement
PARC DES BUTTES-CHAUMONT
Paris · France
The park Haussmann built for the working class — a cliff, a lake, a temple, and the best view of Sacré-Cœur you've never seen.
THE GERALD STANDARD
Getting There
Transit, driving, cycling — every option covered
Trail Guide
Routes, distances, difficulty, and what to expect
Wildlife & Safety
Bear aware, coyote safety, and wildlife alerts
Leave No Trace
The seven principles, applied to this specific park
Families
What works for kids, what to watch out for
Where to Stay
From hostels to heritage hotels — Gerald recommends
Print Guide
Download a print-friendly version for the trail
Gerald's Verdict
An honest, opinionated conclusion