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New in town? Check out these local picnic spots
Friday, June 19th, 2009 by GetawayBC.com
Summer is the time for picnicking and barbecuing by the sea, but you don’t have to head to Vancouver to get a whiff of ocean air and some sand in your shorts.
The Tri-Cities is blessed with numerous seaside picnic spots. What’s great about them is you don’t have to travel far – but you’d better set out early because many of these picnic spots fill up early.
Here’s our list of top Tri-City picnic sites.
1. Belcarra Regional Park. For beauty and variety, check out this fabulous park. Covering more than 1,100 hectares in the Village of Anmore, the Village of Belcarra and the city of Port Moody, Belcarra Regional Park is one of the largest parks in the Metro Vancouver system. There are open air picnic tables, and covered picnic shelters you can rent (604-4432-6352), a public dock where you can watch the daily catch by local fishermen and crabbers, trails, a small rocky beach and a concession that operates in the summer for cold drinks and ice cream.
To get there take St. Johns Street (Port Moody) or Barnet Highway (Coquitlam), turn onto Ioco Road, continue to 1st Avenue, turn right. Follow 1st Avenue as it becomes Bedwell Bay Road to the three-way stop. Turn left, travel uphill to Tum-tumay-whueton Drive and keep right to the picnic area parking lot. You’ll see people of various cultures cooking their meals on small hibachis, several pick-up games of soccer and more.
Metro Vancouver parks also hosts the program What Lies Beneath, which teaches children what creatures live in the ocean. The first program is Sunday, July 5. No registration is required.
2. White Pine Beach. If you want to see some lovely scenery and swim in warm water, head out to this popular spot, also part of Belcarra Regional Park. It’s fun for all members of the family and a favourite place for tanning and picnicking. The wide sandy beach is great for children and the water isn’t too deep, but keep watch – there is no lifeguard. There’s a concession here, too, if you don’t bring your own food.
To get there, take the same route as for Belcarra Regional Park. Traveling along Bedwell Bay Road you’ll see the park entrance on the right. Make sure you take your garbage with you; leaving it behind makes a big mess for the next park visitor. Use garbage cans provided.
The best times to get there on hot sunny days are before 11 a.m. and after 3 p.m., when parking is more available. If you’re picking up someone, set the time for after 3 p.m. so you can get into the park. It closes once the parking lot fills up but opens up again when there is space.
3. Buntzen Lake Recreation Area fills up early, too. Many veterans suggest getting there before 8 a.m. on a sunny weekend to get a spot. Buntzen Lake, located just north of Ioco approximately 30 kilometers from Vancouver, is a BC Hydro reservoir. It is 4.8 km long and covers an area of 182 hectares. The picnic spot is popular for picnics and barbecues and by late afternoon on a sunny day a fog of barbecue smoke hangs above the tree tops.
It’s a good idea to bring your own food, as none is available. Children can paddle in the water but have them wear runners or water shoes so their feet don’t get hurt. There are picnic tables, a shelter and grassy play areas, as well as car-top boat and canoe launch areas and dock.
Canoe rentals are available at the Anmore Store located on Sunnyside Road. Call 604-469-9928.
Buntzen is also great for hiking, mountain biking, equestrian and nature trails, developed viewpoints and interpretive displays. There is drinking water and a designated area for dogs.
To get there, turn left onto St. Johns Street, turn left onto Ioco Road, which becomes Heritage Mountain Boulevard, turn right onto David Avenue at the roundabout, turn left onto Forest Park Way; turn left onto Apsenwood Drive, which becomes East Road. Follow East Road to its end then turn right onto Sunnyside Road, and continue to the entrance gate.
For more information visit,www.bchydro.com/community/recreation_areas/buntzen_lake.html.
4. Rocky Point Park in Port Moody is an ideal picnic spot. Not only does it connect up to Shoreline Park with its terrific views of Burrard Inlet, but there is a new water park and playground area, an outdoor pool, a boat launch with parking, bike trials area and a skateboard park. If you don’t bring your own lunch, snack on ice cream and fish and chip concessions. The Boathouse Restaurant is also located in the park.
It’s a great place to bird watch, start a bicycling trip, have an ice cream and people watch.
The park is located on Murray Street. To get there, travel east on St. Johns Street, turn left at Moody Street, which swings over the park on an overpass. Turn left at the intersection and left again at the park.
Have a great summer!