Metro Vancouver has announced the creation of a new regional park in South Langley, combining an existing municipal park with a newly-purchased piece of private property.
The new South Langley Regional Park totals 44 hectares (108.7 acres) and includes the former Municipal Natural Park, owned by the Township, and a piece of former private property nearby.
"I'm excited, because with all the development in this area, park land is becoming more important," said Lisa Coulthard, who was out for a walk with Stephen Toban and their dogs, Fiona and Prince on Friday, Nov. 29.
Coulthard said the park is always well used and she sees hikers, horseback riders, and people walking their dogs whenever she visits.
The larger portion of the site, the existing park, is accessible off 224 Street near 4 Avenue and extends to the east. The new portion, not yet accessible to the public, is in the 400 and 500 block of 232 Street.
Metro Vancouver bought the new parcel of land for $6.13 million, via a court-ordered sale of the property.
“By growing our regional park system, Metro Vancouver is helping to keep the region livable for future generations of residents and visitors,” said Mike Hurley, chair of Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors. “I’m proud to see us making real progress on our parkland acquisition strategy and look forward to strolling through this new park.”
The new park will include wetlands, forests, and riparian areas, including portions of the Little Campbell River and Kerfoot Creek. The park also includes existing walking and equestrian trails and buffers the South Langley Regional Trail.
"By working with Metro Vancouver, we can create great new rural parks for Langley, within Langley, not just for Langley, but for the region," said Township Mayor Eric Woodward. "I really value the role Metro Vancouver plays operating parks within our region.
He said the new park will significantly expand the quality of protected natural spaces in Langley for generations to come.
“As more people move to Metro Vancouver, it’s important that we keep up with the demand for green spaces to walk, bike, roll, learn, and simply pause and take a breath,” said John McEwen, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Regional Parks Committee and Vice Chair of the Metro Vancouver Board.
The park is not that far from the largest regional park in Langley, Campbell Valley Regional Park.
According to Metro Vancouver Parks, the eventual goal is a linear "green necklace" surrounding the South Langley Regional Trail, which starts at Campbell Valley Regional Park in the west and runs all the way to Aldergrove Regional Park in the east.
The park trail is to have several natural and recreational nodes along its route, giving places where people can stop and connect with nature, and allowing parts of the trail to be moved off-road.
The new portion of the park, which was formerly private land, will not immediately open to the public, although the former Township site will be open immediately. A plan for the new land will be developed starting next year, with the public, First Nations, and other stakeholders involved. Metro Vancouver intends to continue adding to the park as land becomes available, a pattern it has also followed with the growth of Campbell Valley Regional Park over the past decades.
