METRO Vancouver announced on Thursday that it is creating a new regional park in south Langley, which will connect green spaces and continue the regional district’s work to protect important natural areas and help more people enjoy the outdoors.
“By growing our regional park system, Metro Vancouver is helping to keep the region livable for future generations of residents and visitors,” said Mike Hurley, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors. “I’m proud to see us making real progress on our parkland acquisition strategy and look forward to strolling through this new park.”
The 44-hectare South Langley Regional Park will combine a recently purchased piece of private property with Langley’s Municipal Natural Park, which the Township has generously donated to Metro Vancouver.
“By working with Metro Vancouver, we can create great new rural parks for Langley, within Langley, not just for Langley, but for the region. I really value the role Metro Vancouver plays operating parks within our region,” said Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward. “With this new park, we’ve significantly added and expanded the quality of the protected natural park spaces that will be so valued for generations to come. With Metro Vancouver, our regional parks partner, we’re able to do so much more than we could alone.”
The new park will be a protected space for forests, wetlands, and riparian areas — including portions of the Little Campbell River and Kerfoot Creek — that are home to many species of plants and animals. It includes equestrian and walking trails, and buffers the South Langley Regional Trail, which is managed by the Township.
“As more people move to Metro Vancouver, it’s important that we keep up with the demand for green spaces to walk, bike, roll, learn, and simply pause and take a breath,” said John McEwen, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Regional Parks Committee and Vice Chair of the Metro Vancouver Board. “We are grateful to the Township of Langley for entrusting their greenspace to us because connecting it to the new property will help deliver a robust and interconnected network of green spaces for residents.”
The vision for the new regional park is that it will eventually be a linear “green necklace” surrounding the South Langley Regional Trail, which begins at Campbell Valley Regional Park, runs through and adjacent to South Langley Regional Park, and connects with Aldergrove Regional Park. The park trail will have several natural and recreational “nodes” along the way, providing stopping points for visitors to connect with nature. It will also allow portions of the South Langley Regional Trail to be moved off road.
Starting next year, Metro Vancouver will develop a plan for the new property, which will involve engaging the public, stakeholders, and First Nations. Trails and facilities in the former municipal park will remain open to the public during concept development.
Metro Vancouver intends to add to South Langley Regional Park over time, as land becomes available.
Metro Vancouver’s regional park system currently comprises 24 parks, five greenways, two ecological conservancy areas, and two regional park reserves, spanning nearly 14,000 hectares in communities from Bowen Island in the west to Langley and Maple Ridge in the east.
