Looking for a nice day in the park? Mission is one of the Fraser Valley's greenest communities.
This spread-out district has a designated 10,560ha/26,093ac Municipal Forest, which is about 26 times as big as Stanley Park in nearby Vancouver. Mission won a "Communities in Bloom" award in 2008.
The chance to relax in easily accessible municipal parks, regional parks, and provincial parks is a major draw. Hiking, swimming, fishing, camping, and festivals and events are among the things that enliven the many parks around Mission.
The Fraser River Heritage Park is a year-round attraction. Located on the former site of the St. Mary's Residential School and Mission founded by Catholic priests in the 19th century, the park features a reconstructed religious shrine, the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Stroll through the historic cemetery, check out the rose and rhododendron gardens, or dine at the park's Indian restaurant. Festivals and events at the Fraser River Heritage Park include the Mission Children's Festival (June), Canada Day festivities, (July 1), and the Mission Folk Music Festival (July).
In this sports-minded municipality, the Mission Rotary Sports Park is a popular destination with four soccer fields, four baseball diamonds, four slow-pitch diamonds, concessions, and more. In the summer, kids enjoy splashing around at the railroad-themed Water Spray Park next to the Mission Leisure Center.
Regional Parks
At Cascade Falls Regional Park, the main sight is the eponymous 30m/98ft waterfall, which tumbles romantically into a big green pool. Enjoy the sight after a 15-minute climb up wooden stairs to a viewing platform amid tall cedars. Visitors can hike the Upper Pools Trail for another 1km/0.6mi, or head down to the picnic area by Cascade Creek.
Dewdney Nature Regional Park offers access to the Fraser River with a free boat launch ramp. Adjoining Dewdney Slough, the 7ha/17ac park is popular with salmon fishers, and also hosts bird species from herons to bald eagles. Both of these regional parks are east of Mission off the Lougheed Highway.
Provincial Parks
Located 23km/14mi northwest of Mission, Rolley Lake Provincial Park was once a logging area, but now serves as an 115ha/284ac wilderness playground. Camp at one of the 64 campsites, with flush toilets and hot showers nearby. Swim, canoe, or fish for trout at Rolley Lake. Or go hiking on the Lakeside Loop or Rolley Falls trails.
One of BC's biggest provincial parks at 62,540ha/154,540ac, Golden Ears Provincial Park is named after the twin peaks of Mount Blanchard, and has been protected as parkland for more than 80 years. It's laden with exciting backcountry experiences.
Explore different climactic zones at different elevations on long hikes, including Alpine Tundra, Mountain Hemlock, and Coastal Hemlock. Watch out for mountain goats, deer, and beavers, and even the occasional black bear. Numerous water activities spice up Alouette Lake, the site of one of the three campgrounds at Golden Ears Provincial Park.
More Parks Around Mission
For a fun outing with the family, check out Hayward Lake. This man-man lake, adjacent to the historic Power House at Stave Falls, is a beautiful spot for swimming or canoeing on a sunny day. Hayward Lake also offers easy-access hiking and biking trails, washrooms, and picnic facilities, including a gazebo that made a cameo in the 1989 movie We're No Angels (Robert De Niro, Sean Penn).
For winter recreation, head to the privately operated Hemlock Valley Resort 45 minutes east of Mission. It has four ski lifts with more than 30 runs for downhill skiing and snowboarding, trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and a tubing and tobogganing park. Rentals and lessons are available.
Stop by the Mission Visitor Centre for more information about municipal, regional, and provincial parks.
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