Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park

By MIchelle Fedosoff

Located in South Burnaby, British Columbia, along the shores of the Fraser River, the Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park is one of my favorite places to spend time. The park is a mix of grassy areas and forest. Having several areas with picnic tables, a well-maintained washroom, and a playground, this park is the perfect location for picnics or birthday parties with family and friends.

The ninemile trail combines paved sections a n d woodland trails that are fl at and easy to access, although the forest trails can become fl ooded during high tide.

Because the Fraser River is a working river as well as tidal, every day brings a new view. Some days the river is a fast-moving body of water, while other days the log booms seem to reach across the width of the river. Tugboats pull the log booms up and down the river, and loggers work the logs to help release them to the currents. When the tide is low, the muddy shores reveal tracks of beavers, muskrats, and geese.

When I want to have a laugh, I visit the off-leash dog area to watch the many dog visitors chase balls, roll in the sand, and just be goofy. Over the years I have made many dog friends that love to say hello when they see me.

The Seasons

It’s hard to say what my favorite time of year is in the park.

Spring is when baby wildlife can be spotted, t h e skunk cabbage blooms in the marshy areas bringing its musky smell to the forest, and forest trails become flooded, then dry, based on the tides.

Summer is a great time for wildlife viewing, bike riding, BBQ’s, playing frisbee, and picking the wild blackberries that are everywhere.

Fall provides changing color of the deciduous trees and bushes and a lot of bird activity.

Winter brings back the high tides, wind storms that whoosh through the evergreen trees, and Christmas decorations on the trees.

No matter what the season or the weather, my favorite thing to do here is walk. Usually sticking to the forested section, walking here gives me calmness. Sometimes during my walk there are a lot of other people, with or without dogs, who always say hello. But those times when this busy park is quiet and I walk for an hour without meeting a soul, that’s magical.

The wildlife viewing is part of what makes this location special. Dawn and dusk are when the beavers are most active and will swim close before slapping their tail and diving under the water. Raccoons and squirrels are everywhere and if you are lucky, a coyote will step out from the forest and onto the trail in front of you before ducking back into the trees. And watching the pair of bald eagles return year after year to build their nest is something special to see.

The Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park brings a sense of peace and quiet to the chaos of city life and I cannot imagine a day when I don’t return.

Photos, clockwise from top left: A paved portion of the trail system ©Michelle Fedosoff; Brightly colored fungus found in the park ©Michelle Fedosoff; One of the many bridges in the park ©Michelle Fedosoff; Log booms on the Fraser River ©Michelle Fedosoff; A couple taking in the view ©Michelle Fedosoff; Bottom from left: Father and daughter walking the trail ©Michelle Fedosoff; Raccoons are plentiful ©Michelle Fedosoff; Animal tracks ©Michelle Fedosoff; Autumn colors in the park ©Michelle Fedosoff