Sitting in a quiet part of Stanley Park and often overlooked, the Shakespeare Garden is an arboretum of 45 trees that were mentioned in the works of William Shakespeare.
The garden was begun in the early 1900s with the planting of various trees. Often famous people visiting Vancouver would plant a tree in honour of the Bard. Especially those involved in theatre. Jolene Cummings noted on her website:
Years ago I was searching for the garden’s Comedy Tree plaque. Eventually I found it, all covered over with grass at the base of tree. The plaque read it was planted in 1921 by Eva Moore. Who was Eva Moore? With a little research I discovered she was a British character actress, she toured Canada.
Source: Stanley Park History: events, walking tours, exhibits & programs
The monument with Shakespeare's face shown is bas relief was sculpted by J.F. Watson in 1935. The garden was officially opened on August 28, 1936 by Lord Tweedsmuir, the Governor General of Canada, as part of the City of Vancouver's Golden Jubilee celebrations celebrated the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of the Terminal City.