stanley park is a park in vancouver, british columbia, canada. the park opened on september 27, 1888. it was named after frederick stanley, 16th earl of derby, the governor general of canada at the time. it is the third largest urban park in north america. the park covers . it attracts about 8 million visitors every year. stanley park is larger than new york city's central park. in stanley park there is a large aquarium, a protected forest, the lost lagoon, totems and other attractions.