A new trail is now open at Derby Reach Regional Park. It offers stunning views of mountains, farms and the Fraser River.
“This is an opportunity for the public to explore lands that were set aside for the park,” said Langley City Councillor Gayle Martin, who chairs the Metro Vancouver parks committee.
“This new 2.8 km trail is part of a larger project to establish a new route for the Trans-Canada Trail from historic Fort Langley to the Golden Ears Bridge, a project we have undertaken in partnership with the Township of Langley and Trails BC as our demonstration project for the Experience the Fraser initiative.
The celebration to open the new Derby Reach to 208 Street Trans-Canada Trail Connection was held at Derby Reach Regional Park on Saturday afternoon.
Experience the Fraser is a partnership between the Province of B.C., Metro Vancouver, and the Fraser Valley Regional District to create a natural and cultural heritage corridor from Hope to the Salish Sea.
The Township of Langley’s Fort-to-Fort Trail forms the first leg of the route to the site of the original Fort Langley in Derby Reach Regional Park. Existing park trails take hikers and cyclists from there to the start of the new trail at Edgewater Bar.
Interpretive displays offer an element of discovery along the new route to 208 Street, depicting various Experience the Fraser themes including recreation, agriculture, First Nations, fishing, environment and transportation.
A rustic riverside picnic area along the trail at Muench Bar offers a gorgeous rest stop for hikers, cyclists, paddlers and boaters. A small ramp provides access from the river at high water; and at other times helps fishers and other recreationists to enjoy the beach.
At this time, the Trans-Canada Trail follows municipal roadways from the park at 208 Street until it joins the Golden Ears Bridge and other regional trails. Once this last trail segment is in place, the Experience the Fraser demonstration project will be complete.
Several politicians from both sides of the Fraser took part in the official ceremonies on Saturday.