Esther Short Park and Playground

This 5-acre park is the oldest public square in the state of Washington, and is located right in the heart of downtown Vancouver. You can pretty much walk anywhere downtown from here. The Vancouver waterfront is just a short walk away (just cross the street) along with Fort Vancouver, Pearson Air Field and Museum, the Discovery Loop, the Vancouver Land Bridge, restaurants and shopping galore; the entertainment is endless.

I found the most interesting part about this park to be the clock tower, but you will also find the Slocum House, a beautiful gazebo, picnic shelter/stage, a Victorian rose garden (I will come back in Spring to see this in bloom, because I know it will be just stunning), a well maintained playground, seasonal water features, and a walking path around the park which includes several pieces of art among mature trees here as well, as you will see from my photos/videos. It is lined with benches, so you can sit and people watch, which is always fun to do when downtown in any big city.

Also, many different events are held here, such as the Farmers Market (mid-March through October) and a variety of summer festivals.

I definitely recommend checking this park out. With so much to do, seeing it is smack dab in the middle of everything, you can't go wrong.

The farmers market is here along with a playground for the children. There is a very nice rose garden, benches to sit and public restrooms. I really like the downtown Vancouver vibe and this is a great place to catch it...

Nice new park. My 8 years old son loves the fake grass turf. Much cleaner. Giant seesaw, slides, swings, really cool giant zylophone sounds awesome. A large farmers market right next it. Fresh veggies, fruit, farm fresh eggs. Food stands with gyros, snowcones, and others hot food. Lots of dogs all well behaved and controlled. Nice Oct. day.

Beautiful park. Serene but also bustling with people all around. There are people sitting, visiting with each other and kids playing. Visitors staying at the Hilton across the street enjoying the park as well. Plenty of shade if you want to feel the breeze and sun if you wanna feel the rays. On weekends in the summer, you can attend the farmers market, purchase all sorts of goodies and then enjoy lunch at the park.

The new playground is a great success! The kids were all over it like ants on an anthill today! It was amazing to watch! I didn’t see any tears, everyone was having a great time! Pictures to come!

Attended the 2023, 4 Days of Aloha. Loved the music, dancers, vendors, and food. But the food lines were very long (30 min plus) in 90-degree weather directly in the sun. And it was also hard to find a place to eat due to the crowds. I'd suggest for next year, overhead tents in the food court area for the lines, and have more picnic benches where people can eat.

Update June 2023. This park is now considered an all inclusive play area meaning wheel chair accessibility on the brand new play equipment!! This park is the oldest public park in the Pacific Northwest!! Lots of things happening at the park all the time! Great place to bring the family and just people watch.

For a small park in the middle of downtown Vancouver, it is well maintained, open, and active. The new playground is great. The playground features are mobility accessible and fun for all kids (even the grown-up ones).

The Vancouver Arts and Music, the first, was beautifully organized to appeal to a broad range of participants with the nearby farmer's market, the artists alley, 2-3 stages with excellent music, activities for families, food carts, And all set in and around the wonderful, central Esther Short Park. Very nicely done for a community of the size!

5 stars for the Farmers Market! It’s grown over the years and is great as far as the variety of vendors goes.

The park itself is great too with a playground on the west side and a water feature on the east side.

The homeless population can be a bit much during mid-day but they seem to be friendly and I’ve never had issues when I was at the park.

It’s a great park surrounded by good food options.

Great family-friendly place. Good playground for the kiddos! Nice and clean too.

The tree lighting ceremony was awesome! Kinda like the old days!

We enjoyed a little family get together with my two sons and their families. The new playground is gorgeous and has many new play features I've never seen before. I highly recommend that you take the time to visit this park, especially during Saturday market. The atmosphere is lively with lots of food vendors.

Pretty cool place it has it all entertainment, markets,playground, little waterfall play area for the kids also countless food stands with almost every cusine. This park is full of historic land marks and statues. A good place to meet people, shop, have fun, and hang out.

Following a tragic fire incident that burned down the old play structure at Esther Short Park, a year later this play structure is brand new, and absolutely sparkling beautiful! Additionally, this park is good for all ages and abilities! Hooray for the kids, and thank you to the City of Vancouver!

Very nice park for relaxing when the Sun is out. Clean and busy with the Farmers Market.

I'm from out of town I was doing some Court work with my grandson took my grandson there we had a great time it's a very nice park very well cared for

Cute park - small enough to not be intimidating, large enough it doesn't feel like everyone is on top of each other. Love the little pieces of exercise equipment and the winding walk path

Renovated park was great, pretty crowded since this has been the first warm and sunny day in months, but kids loved it.

Beautiful park with events practically every weekend. Farmers market is right next door. Perfect location to have a great weekend stroll on a a beautiful day.