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Barnston Island Regional Park
I recently reconnected with Dave, a good friend I met almost 20 years ago at a summer camp, over our blog and outdoor activities. We set up an outdoor reunion and headed to Barnston Island for a fun family bike ride with his lovely family. Barnston Island is formed by Fraser River sediment deposition, between…
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Island 22 Bike Skills Park
After our camping trip at Chilliwack Lake, the boys really wanted to go somewhere biking. After a quick search, we came across this bike park. Compared to a few pump tracks we went to in the Lower Mainland, this bike park is fairly big with many different levels to try out. And the best part:…
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Indian Arm Paddle to Thwaytes Landing Regional Park
Thwaytes Landing is a water-access-only, 130-acre property midway up Indian Arm, directly across from the famous Buntzen Powerhouses. The Land Conservancy (TLC), who purchased and transferred the property to GVRD to turn it into a regional park, has a fantastic write-up on its history and features. In summary, the lot was named after Captain Tom…
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Killarney Lake Loop – Crippen Regional Park
Quick Facts: Crippen Regional Park is located on Bowen Island, a bit further afield than the other Metro Vancouver Regional Parks. We made a day trip of it with our friends Amy and Marcus’ family and tackled the Killarney Lake Loop. We drove up to the picnic area where there’s a small parking lot. The…
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Spanish Trail to Salish Trail Loop in Pacific Spirit Regional Park
Quick Facts: AllTrails link: Salish Trail to Spanish Trail Loop, 7.2km with 103m elevation Difficulty: intermediate but only due to length Traffic: moderate Facilities: flush toilet at trail head, pit toilet at the information kiosk on 16th Ave View: forests, creeks, canyon, golf course, wetland, and partially obstructed views of Burrard Inlet and Spanish Banks…
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Burnaby Lake Paddle
Quick Facts Parking and Launching: Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion Launching type: dock Difficulty – very easy, beginner friendly Boat traffic – no recreational motor boats allowed View – wetlands, wildlife, North Shore mountains, and crops of high rise buildings Facilities – no public washrooms Overall score – 7/10 Located in the center of Burnaby Lake…
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Campbell Valley Regional Park
Quick Facts: AllTrails link: Little River Loop, 2.3km with 11m elevation Difficulty: very easy, stroller friendly Traffic: light on a winter morning Facilities: pit toilet View: wetland, river view Overall score: 5/10 We had a chance to visit South Surrey and we dropped by Campbell Valley Regional Park for a quick stroll, which is just a…
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Boundary Bay Regional Park
Quick Facts: AllTrails link: Boundary Bay, 3.7km with 11m elevation Difficulty: very easy, stroller friendly Traffic: heavy on a sunny weekend afternoon Facilities: flush toilet, big playground, accessible path on sandy beach View: sandy beaches of Boundary Bay, flat and exposed sandy dunes Overall score: 7/10 Boundary Bay Regional Park features a sandy Centennial Beach and…
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Kanaka Creek Regional Park
Quick Facts: AllTrails link: Kanaka Creek Canyon Trail, 3.7km with 123m elevation Difficulty: easy, but not stroller friendly Traffic: light on a rainy day Facilities: pit toilets, picnic tables near the canyons and at the Kanaka Creek Watershed Stewardship Centre View: interesting views of the canyons and water carved sandstones Overall score: 8/10 Kanaka Creek Regional…
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Derby Reach Regional Park
Quick Facts: AllTrails link: Derby Reach Regional Park, 9.2km with 70m elevation gain Difficulty: easy, doable with a stroller but the Houston Trail has some steep hills Traffic: heavy on Edge Farm Trail, light to moderate on Houston Trail Facilities: pit toilets, sheltered picnic area, picnic tables, grassy field, water access to Fraser River View:…