Larry Berg Flight Path Park

Sea Island: The Aviation Story

Welcome to Sea Island, a place rich in the history of flying. Before Europeans arrived, this area was used by Coast Salish First Nations. In the early days of settlement, the island’s flat delta landscape and closeness to the Gulf of Georgia made it ideal for farms and fish canneries. Later, this landscape provided an excellent location for an airport. Today, Sea Island is known primarily as the home of the internationally recognized Vancouver International Airport (YVR), which serves close to 25 million passengers each year and employs more than 23,000 people.

Larry Berg Flight Path Park

Located directly in line with the end of the airport’s south runway, Larry Berg Flight Path Park is a perfect place to watch planes, play and enjoy a picnic. During his 20 years at YVR, President and CEO Larry Berg oversaw many developments: new runways were built, terminals were upgraded and the airport was connected to the Canada Line.

Back in the 1930s, this spot was so popular the Seabright Ice Cream Parlour opened up shop here. Aviation enthusiasts enjoyed their treats while witnessing the birth of commercial air transportation and the first modern passenger service linking Vancouver to transcontinental destinations.

The outbreak of World War II brought new types of aircraft to the airport. Soon, yellow de Havilland Tiger Moth biplanes became a familiar sight as pilots at the Royal Canadian Air Force station on Sea Island prepared for service in Alaska during the war.

Photo Credit: Robert Gordon built the Seabright Ice Cream Parlour, seen here in 1935, to cater to plane spotters. Don Gordon Collection. City of Richmond Archives