As the school year ticks down to a close, parents all over the city are facing that perennial question: “But how am I going to keep them busy all summer long?”
Never fear. We’re on the job for you, and we’ve rounded up our list of Top 10 Things You Must Do With The Kids In Burnaby this summer. And let us assure you, there will be no excuse for boredom in this fair city of ours.
So break out the flip-flops, the hats and the sunscreen. Summer is almost upon us, and your family is going to enjoy every minute of it, starting right now.
1. HIT THE PARKS.
When you live in a city like Burnaby with so many amazing parks, you have your choice of places to spend an afternoon or a whole day. Among the largest and most popular, you have Central Park, which has pretty much everything – pitch and putt golf, playground, picnic sites, outdoor pool, trails, lawn bowling and more. Not to be outdone, there’s Confederation Park in the north end, with trails, skateboarding, spray park, playgrounds and easy access to the pool, library and youth centre nearby – not to mention the Burnaby Central Railway see No. 4). Other favourite play places include Edmonds, Cariboo and Kensington parks – but wherever you live, there’s going to be a great greenspace nearby.
Head to www.tinyurl.com/BurnabyParks2018 for the full list.
2. GET IN THE WATER.
When it comes to outdoor swimming, Burnaby residents have a plethora of options. The city has not one, not two, not three, but FOUR outdoor pools: Central Park (6110 Boundary Rd.), Kensington (700 Hammarskjold Dr.), MacPherson (5485 Rumble St.) and Robert Burnaby (8175 Wedgewood St.). See www.tinyurl.com/BurnabyPool2018 for up-to-date schedules.
The City of Burnaby also has nine spray parks and 10 wading pools for those who’d rather just splash and play, which means there’s bound to be a water facility of some kind right near you. Check out www.tinyurl.com/BurnabySprayWading2018 for the full list and directions.
For those who prefer the beach, you can hit the water at Barnet Marine Park (spoiler alert: it’s going to be cold!).
3. GET ON THE WATER.
If you’d rather be on the water than in it, Deer Lake is most definitely the place for you. Deer Lake Boat Rentals offers kayaks, canoes and pedal boats, with options ranging from a single-person kayak to a four-person canoe or pedal boat.
You can find them at 5435 Sperling Ave. or check out www.deerlakeboatrentals.com for all the details.
Burnaby Lake Regional Park also offers a number of family canoeing opportunities. There are Beaver Wetland Paddle events coming up on June 29 and July 6. Keep an eye on the events listings at www.metrovancouver.org for all the details.
4. RIDE THE RAILS.
You’re not really a Burnaby kid till you’ve taken a ride on the Burnaby Central Railway. Those who haven’t yet ventured to the mini-train at Confederation Park are in for a treat, as the railway chugs around its scenic little track every weekend and statutory holiday from Easter to Thanksgiving. It’s open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and families can enjoy the concession, model railway exhibitions and picnic spots.
It’s $3.50 per ride (free for small folks two and under), or you can get a 10-ride pass if you plan to go often. The train is at Confederation Park, 120 North Willingdon Ave. (access off Penzance). Get all the details at www.bcsme.org.
5. STEP BACK INTO THE PAST.
Stroll back into the Burnaby of the 1920s at Burnaby Village Museum, where you can enjoy a walk through the village and a range of special events all summer long. Get lunch or treats at the Ice Cream Parlour (yes, it has a full menu) and, of course, take a spin on the restored 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. Don’t forget to visit the restored Interurban tram No. 1223 while you’re there.
Best of all, it’s free to get in – the only charge is $2.65 for a carousel ride. The village is open Tuesday to Sunday, plus statutory holidays, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It’s at 6501 Deer Lake Ave. See www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca for all the details.
6. BASK IN THE SOUNDS OF A SYMPHONIC SUMMER.
Every year, thousands of people flock to Deer Lake Park for the chance to hear the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra on the spectacular festival lawn. The VSO is once again bringing its program of popular classics to the stage, this year on Sunday, July 8 at 7 p.m. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs, and bring along a picnic dinner for the perfect summer evening.
Remember that parking is limit, so take transit, walk or ride your bike if you can.
7. GET BACK TO NATURE.
Whether “nature” means a mountain hike, a walk in the woods or a chance to watch the ducks, you’re in luck. Despite being at the heart of a metropolis, Burnaby is filled with unspoiled natural spaces.
Take in the trails and the bird-watching tower at Burnaby Lake. Stroll along the river at Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park. Explore tidal pools at Barnet Marine Park. Take a hike in the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Enjoy a forest walk at Robert Burnaby Park. Walk the trails at Deer Lake. Amble through Byrne Creek Ravine.
See www.tinyurl.com/BurnabyNatureTrails2018 for some ideas to get you started.
8. GET ARTY.
Tap in to your inner artist at one of the city’s galleries this summer.
At Burnaby Art Gallery (6344 Deer Lake Ave.), your family can explore Jeff Ladouceur: Pearl Path, an exhibition of humorous contemporary drawings on until Aug. 19. There’s an In the BAG family studio drop-in on Sunday, June 17, and an all-ages Drawing Jam, with Ladouceur, on July 7, both from 1 to 4 p.m. The gallery also offers a variety of summer camp options for young artists. See www.burnabyartgallery.ca for the details.
At Deer Lake Gallery, you can take in the Urban Shift exhibition, with work by Carolina de la Cajiga and Martha Jablonski-Jones, from June 9 to June 30. Tricksters Laugh, featuring the work of Alanna Edwards and “Geronimo” (the pseudonym of an Indigenous artist) runs from July 7 to Aug. 11. Also head over to the gallery for the always popular Deer Lake Summer Arts Festival – including the hotly contested Park’s Edge Paint Off – on Saturday, July 7. See www.burnabyartscouncil.org for all the details.
9. SING THE BLUES.
Well, you don’t have to sing along if you don’t want to, but we dare you not to get up and dance when the artists of the Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival hit the stage at Deer Lake Park on Saturday, Aug. 11. It features Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Nikki Lane, The Suffers, Begonia and Amythyst Kia. Besides the music (which runs from 3 to 10 p.m.), there’s also an artisan market, plenty of food and drink options, and a family activity area that includes a play structure, face painting and the always popular guitar making. Tickets are $50, or free for kids 12 and under (you just need to call the box office at 604-205-3000 about child tickets). See all the details at www.burnabybluesfestival.com.
10. GO TO MARKET.
Turn your kids into veggie lovers at the Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market, running Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at Burnaby City Hall, 4949 Canada Way. OK, maybe they’re not miracle workers, but the market is making a special effort to get kids excited about produce with a new Power of Produce program. Kids will be offered the challenge of joining the two-bite club and get stickers and other items for taking two bites of both old favourites and new offerings. Check out www.artisanmarkets.ca for current vendor and special event information.
Do you have a favourite family outing or event in Burnaby? Share your ideas by emailing Julie, [email protected].
