Abbotsford's rural setting means that green landscapes and parkland are a part of virtually every neighbourhood. Many have hiking and mountain bike trails, sports fields and playgrounds as well as lakes stocked with trout and bass.
The highlight of Albert Dyck Memorial Park is its man-made lake created from a former industrial cement-works pit. Specifically designed for wakeboarding and water skiing, the park has hosted numerous national and provincial tournaments. The lake invites swimming, fishing, sunset picnics on the sandy beach and wildlife viewing, usually blue herons, ducks and other waterfowl.
As Canada's second, and British Columbia's only designated Dark Sky Park (DSP), Mcdonald Park is officially free of light pollution for clear-sighted gazing into the night sky.
Tucked against Sumas Mountain, the park has a natural geographic advantage as the mountain slopes act like a huge amphitheatre to block off the light of Abbotsford to the west, Chilliwack to the east and Mission to the North. The result is an excellent east-south and western exposure.
Fraser Valley Astronomers Society
By day, the park is open for general public use; by night it is run by the Fraser Valley Astronomers Society which offers regular viewing sessions for special interest groups as well as to the public. Contact the FVAS to make advance reservations. The park is located at exit 104 and Highway 1; head north over the highway on number 3 road to the park at the road's end. Watch for telescopes pointed toward the cosmos.
Mill Lake
Lying in the heart of Abbotsford near Trethewey House, Mill Lake has something for everyone including quiet picnic areas, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, an outdoor pool and spray park.
An interpretative 2km/1.2mi path and boardwalk circles the lake - the view of Mount Baker is spectacular from here, and there are plenty of ducks, mergansers and geese that make the lake their home. There are no rentals available, but rowboats, canoes and fishing is allowed on the lake.
One of the niftiest areas is an outdoor exercise 'gym' for seniors with wellness installations such as a stepmaster and Tai Chi wheels geared to balance, cardio strength and maintaining flexibility. Truth be told, though, kids like it too.
Mill Lake Park is where Art in the Park takes place every summer.
Sumas Mountain Regional Park
Located between the communities of Abbotsford and Chilliwack, this 1,445ha/3,570ac forested mountain is a wilderness jewel in the Fraser Valley, offering a diversity of wildlife and a myriad of recreational opportunities such as hiking, extreme mountain biking and horseback riding. Be aware that mountain bikes, all terrain vehicles, trucks and work vehicles share many trails.
Sumas Mountain Activities
Sumas Mountain Regional Park is also a venue for paragliding and hang-gliding; the mountain provides good ridge flying in winter and early spring, however is seldom flown during summer. Chadsey Lake, also known as Lost Lake, is good for swimming and fishing.
To get to the park, take exit 95 off Hwy 1, and follow the signs to Sumas Mountain Regional Park. Parking is located about 4.2km/2.6mi past the lower gate, just outside the upper gate which is locked and managed by BC Hydro. Chadsey Lake trailhead is about 2km/1.3m from the upper gate while Sumas Peak trailhead is approximately 3km/1.8mi away.
Matsqui Trail Regional Park
Bordering the shores of the Fraser River, the lovely shoreline Matsqui Trail Regional Park runs from Glenmore Road to Page Road with a further 11km/6.8mi under development. The park is being planted with native trees and shrubs with open space for meadows. The existing native vegetation along the river will remain untouched and sections of the foreshore will continue to be used for log booming.
For more information on parks and gardens, contact the Abbotsford Visitor Centre at 34561 Delair Road, Abbotsford, V2S 2E1.
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