AN EARLY AUTUMN STROLL IN THE WOODS AT CENTRAL PARK

Central Park is a 90 hectare (222 acre) urban park in Burnaby, B.C.  The park was founded in 1891 and named to honour Mrs. David Oppenheimer, the wife of Vancouver's second mayor, who was born in New York City.

There's no nicer place close at hand to go for an afternoon stroll, and as I hadn't visited the park for some time, I decided to make that my Saturday afternoon destination this week.  The park is located on the border of Vancouver/Burnaby and it's easy to get to from where I live by bus and skytrain.

One of the exercise stations (this one is for sit-ups)

The park as many amenities besides the well-kept trails.  There is a running route (the Terry Fox route in honour of our beloved young cross-Canada runner who has inspired so many and in his name so much money has been raised for cancer research.  There are also fitness aids along the trails to help you stay fit.  And if all  you want to do is walk, there are many trails to explore.

Don't be alarmed if as y ou walk along you are greeted by the friendly black or grey squirrels or chipmunks.  They are so tame they'll come right up to you,  hoping you might have a little hand-out like some seeds or nuts.

The children's playground is full of exciting opportunities for adventure. 

And the day I was there, one of our last warm days of early Autumn, there were a lot of picnics.  The park is well equipped for group or individual picnics. There is also a pitch-and-putt, swimming pool, and lawn bowling facility in the park.

Picnics

There's a small gazebo in the park. When I passed by later in the afternoon there was a wedding party there having their photos takens.

The first tinges of Autumn were being to show in the coloured leaves. Soon the park will be blazing with colour.  I meandered along the tree-lined pathways, not quite sure where I'd end up.  It's a bit of a maze in the woods but there were lots of people on the trails that day.

 The park's main attraction is the large proportion of  well-preserved temperate rainforest.  One of my favorite places in the park is the large duck pond.  Children enjoy feeding the ducks, but the signs around the park remind you not to feed the wildlife. So if you are inclined to do so make sure it's the appropriate kind of food for them.

Feeding the ducks.

I sat for awhile on a bench by the little 'lake' and meditated, wrote in my journal, and had a small picnic lunch.  Such a serene way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

If you go:
The main park entrance is off Kingsway near Patterson.  If you go by skytrain, get off at the Patterson station and walk into the park from there. You can also enter the park from Imperial Road to the south.