A huge new Metro Vancouver park is finally opening to the public, offering a major new area of green space and trails along the shore of the Fraser River in north Surrey.
Surrey Bend Regional Park has been 20 years in the making, after land acquisitions by the regional district and City of Surrey ensured the entire 348-hectare park would be preserved, rather than developed for industry.
It is in the largest publicly owned natural area within Surrey and features diverse wildlife species and wetland habitats, including the Fraser Valley’s third-largest and relatively undisturbed bog.
Surrey Bend officially opens to the public Saturday, April 15 from noon to 4 p.m., with an official ceremony at 12:30.
The grand opening will feature drumming and a blessing from the Katzie First Nation, VIP speakers and ribbon cutting and live performances.
It will include interactive exhibits from organizations including: the Surrey Nature Centre, Experience the Fraser, Catching the Spirit, Pacific Parklands Foundation, Burns Bog Conservation Society, Friends of Semiahmoo Bay, Green Timbers Heritage Society, Surrey Search and Rescue, HUB, Surrey Trekkers, Vancouver Aquarium, White Rock & Surrey Naturalists, Parks Canada, and the BC Wildlife Federation.
Nature programs will be offered to connect park visitors with the new multi-use trails, and face painters and stilt walkers will add to the fun. There will be live performances by popular children’s performers Bobs & Lolo, ventriloquist Norma McKnight with Norbert the frog, and family musician Tony Prophet.
The park will be Metro Vancouver’s 23 regional park, forming part of a network of parks and protected areas along the Fraser River.
VIDEO BY METRO VANCOUVER
HOW TO GET THERE
Park at Pacific Academy, located at 10238 – 10300 168 St., Surrey, and take a free shuttle bus to Surrey Bend Regional Park.
First shuttle bus will leave Pacific Academy at 11:30 AM.
Last shuttle bus will leave Surrey Bend Regional Park at 4:30 PM.
Shuttle departs every 20 minutes from Pacific Academy.
