Vancouver and The Lower Mainland's Best Parks for Outdoor Fun!
Looking for the lower mainland's best spots for family adventures, fun, and for hosting a birthday party? These parks below are definitely some of your top choices!
1. Stanley Park- Of course featured as number one on the list. Voted #1 best park in the world! Beating out the notorious favourite - Central Park in New York City. You can book a picnic table shelter near the miniature train, enjoy the water park, the beach, the outdoor pool, or the infamous Vancouver Aquarium. With 8 million visitors every year, it's sure to be a hit.
2. Cates Park - Right near Deep Cove in North Vancouver. We have featured Cates Park in our blog before. This park has accessible washrooms, change rooms, parking, snack shop. It offers a picnic area, boating, swimming, hiking, natural area, picnic shelter, beach and seating area. Aside from those great features, a medieval castle for your creative child to run amuck in!
3. Belcarra Regional Park - This hidden gem's original name "Lake Beautiful", is located next to one of the warmest lakes in Greater Vancouver, Sasamat Lake. The park is northwest of the Village of Anmore. If you're looking for a place out of the big city scene with a picnic area, nice park and close to the water, Belcarra is a great spot to visit!
4. Golden Ears National Park - Named after the prominent twin peaks which are commonly referred to as Golden Ears, this National Park is located in beautiful Maple Ridge. One of the largest parks in the province, Golden Ears Provincial Park is loved for it's recreational opportunities. The park is a great spot for all ages and close by is the Alouette Lake beach front. Park hosts and a security patrol are available during the summer months.
5. Deer Lake Park - Located in the city of Burnaby, Deer Lake Park is a natural environment. During the busy summer festival season families can enjoy the scenic views connected to the lake. With a large area for adventures and picnic tables, this spot is a family favourite. Located close by to Shadbolt Centre and Burnaby Museum.
Kids Birthday Party Vancouver
6. Bear Creek Park - A very popular park for kids. Showcasing an 18 hole mini golf spot and miniature train adventure! Hop aboard Eddy the Engine and Friends for a special journey through the forest right in the middle of the park! The train leaves the station at 15 min to the hour and 15 min after the hour. The park also contains a covered picnic area.
7. Rocky Point Park - Located along Burrard Inlet in Port Moody, next to the Port Moody Station Museum. Rocky Point has many amenities including an outdoor swimming pool, water park, skateboard park, boat launch, hiking and cycling trails, and wildlife viewing. There is also a covered performance stage and picnic spots.
8. Blue Mountain Park - Blue Mountain Park is one of Coquitlam’s most popular municipal parks. On warm summer days, the wading pool and water park become an active meeting place for families. Boasting a new play space that features a climbing/rope bridge, roller slide, oodle swing, sensory play panels, contrabass chimes, molded bucket seat with a harness swing, and a rubberized safety surface. Blue Mountain Park also has the very popular paved bike path. This is a very well known part of the park. Bringing joy to young cyclists and rollerbladers (roller skaters back in the day) practicing their skills. On the south side of King Albert Street experience the sandy beach in the middle of the park. Picnic shelters are available for rent on first come first serve basis.
9. Queen's Park - A recreational favourite and tourist attraction in New Westminster. Part of Queen's Park features "Rainbow Playland", a section of Queen's Park with family fun in mind. It features two playgrounds, seasonal animal petting farm, water park, tennis courts, and sports fields. Also in the park is a stadium and arena.
10. Lion's Park - Port Coquitlam’s park has just had a major upgrade! The first part of the major renovation is complete! Located next to the Coquitlam River, there are plenty of open areas for children to run and play. The park as of the beginning of July, has built a new playground, new bathrooms, new pathway and gathering place and new water park! It's kept it's iconic tires and dragon feature and brought back it's zip line, which the park hasn't seen in some 20 years! Close by attached to the park is also a skateboard park.
We hope this list provides you with many adventures and fun with your families! From our family at Young Wizards Academy to yours, enjoy!