Perfect picnic spots in New Westminster

With temperatures warming up, it is prime time for a picnic in New Westminster! Our beautiful city has many spaces to choose from, but we’re highlighting six to start.

Queen’s Park

Considered New West’s flagship park, the question is what can’t you do here? There are many places to walk and sit – and this is one of five parks in the city that offer accessible picnic tables and picnic shelters. (You’ll need to call the city to book them in advance.) The large shelter has 14 picnic tables (two are wheelchair accessible) that can host 150 people, while the second, smaller shelter has four picnic tables for up to 50 guests.

Along with a variety of trails, fields, and even a skate park, there’s a spray park to enjoy. The park is also home to the Queen’s Park Arena and the Queen’s Park Sportsplex.

Address: Sixth Avenue at McBride Boulevard

Ryall Park

Reviewers online have called this a ‘gem of a park,’ with everything from playgrounds to a spray park, and plenty of grassy space. This is also a wonderful spot to get a walk in: enjoy the flowers throughout, or spend a little more time at the Ryall Park community garden. Picnic shelters are available here, too.

Address: 920 Ewen Avenue

Tipperary Park/Friendship Gardens

Steps away from City Hall, this park includes shaded and unshaded options, and a handful of picnic tables if you’d prefer not to sit on the grass. Go for a walk and enjoy the water features; there are little waterfalls you can listen to, and ducks are usually found hanging out at the pond. There is also a very large, unshaded portion along Royal Avenue, though it is a busy artery and relatively close to the road.

Pro tip: if you go for a picnic on Thursdays between 3-7 pm, you can enjoy food from the Farmers Market during the summer months! They often host a number of different food trucks, with the selection changing weekly.

Address: 315 Queens Avenue

Port Royal Park

Situated along the waterfront in Queensborough, this charming space also includes picnic tables and shelters. There is also plenty of green space, a playground, and even a lookout onto Poplar Island.

This park has quite the history: the Port Royal residential development replaced MacMillan Bloedel’s sawmill, and the park was created through a land exchange between the company and the city in the late ’90s. The trade included swapping Dyke Reserve for the Riverfront Walkway.

Address: 215 Salter Street

Hume Park

Close to the Burquitlam neighbourhood, Hume Park is also known as “the park that meets every need.” Much like Queen’s Park, there are plenty of amenities – like picnic tables and shelters – but there’s also an off-leash dog area. Oh, and if you need to jump in a pool, there’s an outdoor one there. (Reservations are required.)

Address: 660 E. Columbia Street

Sapperton Landing

It’s a small gem of a green space, but there are grassy areas that are perfect for picnic blankets and water watching; Sapperton Landing is situated right next to the Fraser River. There are also spots that showcase beautiful tile art.

This is a Metro Vancouver space, so it is considered a stop along the Brunette-Fraser Regional Greenway. It can be a bit tricky getting there by car, so walking or biking is usually your best bet for easy access.

Address: 60 E. Columbia Street