10. Burnaby Mountain, Burnaby
OK, so Burnaby Mountain is pretty well known, but have you taken the time to visit the trails and check out the immense views? Take a short hike, try mountain biking, or go for a run, then set up your picnic by the totem poles!
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| Incredible views from Burnaby Mountain. Photo credit: JiWiz |
9. Camosun Bog, Vancouver
If you want an educational afternoon stroll, check out the self-guided tour at Camosum Bog. You'll see cool fauna and plants. Perfect for a family stroll with grandma!
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| Amazing fauna to be seen. Photo credit: Eric Bog |
8. Cates Park, North Vancouver
If you want to beach comb, skim pebbles, throw a frisbee, take a short hike, and light up the BBQ, then head on over to Cates Park. It's small but beautifully formed, with views across the Burrard Inlet. You can also kayak from here, if you're feeling adventurous!
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| Beach combing ahoy! Photo credit: OurBC.com |
7. Deer Lake Park, Burnaby
Deer Lake Park is perfect for a longer summer family stroll. You can rent a boat and paddle on to the water, or stroll around and check out the gorgeous scenery. The beach area and grassy area by the Shadbolt Centre tend to get pretty full, but head over to the west side of the park, under the overpass at Royal Oak Av, and you'll find a couple of small and quiet green parks. Lovely!
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| I always think it looks like a futuristic city! Photo credit: City of Burnaby |
6. Byrne Creek Park, New Westminster
Byrne Creek park is a forested area near the Edmonds Skytrain Station. If you're looking for a stroll through the forest with amenities nearby, then this is your spot! Bring a picnic to eat in the park!
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| Beautiful forest stroll right in the city! Photo Credit: "StephansMap" |
5. Burnaby Lake, Burnaby
Again, a fairly well know park that is incredibly accessible via skytrain or by bike (check out the Burnaby bike map). The more adventurous can tackle the ~10km trails by foot (no bikes allowed). Beside the nature house is a small open park which is great for BBQ's and family picnics! Small, sheltered, and quiet!
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| Incredible lake views, with lots of birds and other wildlife! Photo credit: VancouverTrails.com |
4. Princess Park, North Vancouver
Tennis courts and a covered picnic area right beside a beautiful forest makes Princess Park a wonderful place for a family picnic. There are also some great trails for a short hike, although the terrain is quite steep, so maybe leave grandma at the picnic shelter!
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| Amazing forest! Photo credit: aozora.ca |
3. Iona Island, Richmond
It's not technically an island, more of a peninsular, but if you want bird watching and to explore interesting fauna, then come to Iona! You can also watch the planes take off and land at the airport, and it's a perfect place to watch the sunset.
| Take a stroll along the peninsular, but don't get caught by the tide! Photo Credit: Stephen Hui |
2. Cleveland Dam, North Vancouver
Cleveland dam is one of favourite places in the entire Lower Mainland! The hiking is challenging (lots of steep uphill!), but just beautiful. Be sure to check out the salmon hatchery, as well as the most amazing view of the Lions beside the lake! There are benches to BBQ at, and a word of warning - don't swim in the lake; it's where our drinking water is stored!
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| It doesn't get much better than this! Photo Credit: Annacat |
1. Barnet Marine Park, Burnaby
Burnaby's best kept secret, Barnet Marine Park has it all - beach, grassy areas to kick a ball or throw a frisbee, short walks, and a BBQ area. This is an amazing place to watch the sunset, and keep a look out for seals!
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| The beach at Barnet Marine Park, courtesy of JiWiz |
Is there a park you think I missed? Or do you have a story to share about any of the parks on the list? Your comments are always welcome!
Thanks for the great park suggestions, there were some on that list that I did not know about and will consider checking out this summer. I have never visited Burnaby Lake Park, but have heard the trails are great for runners and hikers alike. Interestingly enough, Burnaby Lake Park actually has a twitter account (@BurnabyLakePark)that people can follow, which provides information on the what's going on at the park.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it is definitely not a lesser known park, one of my favourite Vancouver parks is still Stanley Park. I find there is not much that can beat a walk, bike ride or run on the sea wall on a warm summer day. Stanley Park also has some great trails through the park, which are great for running!
Lena, thanks for you comments! I agree that you can't beat Stanley Park, but I'm not a huge fan of crowds, hence my love for smaller parks! Definitely check out Burnaby Lake; it's a beautiful run, very flat, and runner friendly!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this list. Both my husband and I grew up in Burnaby and there are some parks that I have still not visited. I too am not a fan of big, busy parks, or any other location for that matter. I cannot wait to re-discover some of these great locations with my family this summer!
ReplyDeleteUntil last year I lived in Burnaby, hence the large number of Burnaby parks! Hope you have fun out there this summer!
ReplyDeleteFantastic list! I have to admit I haven't heard of some of the parks on the list before. Looks like I will have some exploring to do this summer.
ReplyDeleteI think we truly live in a great part of the country, where you can never be too far from a great park. There were a few of my favorites that didn't make the list that I thought I would share:
- Rocky Point Park/Shoreline Park - Port Moody
- White Pine Beach - Anmore/Belcara (not sure which municipality it actually sits in)
- Whyte Cliff Park - West Vancouver
Darren, thanks for you additions. I've never been to Rocky Point Park or White Pine Beach. I'll definitely add them to my list! Whenever we go to Port Moody we go to Buntzen Lake; I go with a group of friends and we run the Diaz Vista trail. I love it out there, but it does get really busy in the summer.
ReplyDeleteWhytecliff Park is definitely one that should have made it on the list - over site on my part! Not sure which one I would have dropped though...
I love this list! I have lived in Vancouver my whole life and I had forgotten about a lot of these. Thanks for such a great reminder of the places that make the Lower Mainland such a great place to live!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
Thanks Carolyn. Look forward to hear your stories of rediscovery!
ReplyDelete