Widgeon Marsh Regional Park will be opened for limited public access beginning Nov. 1, and park manager Metro Vancouver says this will be the first time the public will be able to explore there.
“Widgeon Marsh Regional Park is a remarkable ecological treasure, and we’re proud to take this important step toward welcoming the public,” said Mike Hurley, chair of Metro Vancouver’s board of directors.
“This limited opening reflects our commitment to protecting sensitive habitats while creating meaningful opportunities for people to connect with nature,” he continued. “We’re grateful for the collaboration with First Nations and local communities, and we look forward to continuing this work.”
The park will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., except in the event of severe weather or construction. Visitors will be able to access the park by making a vehicle parking reservation, coming by bicycle, walking in, or paddling in via Widgeon Slough.
It is located next to the Pitt River, across from Grant Narrows Park at Pitt Addington Marsh Wildlife Management Area. Many people paddle through the marsh on a popular trip on Widgeon Creek, on the way to Widgeon Creek Campground, and hike to Widgeon Falls.
On Saturdays and Sundays, visitors can also reserve seats on the free shuttle that will pick up and drop off in the vicinity of the Lafarge Lake-Douglas Station.
“This is a truly special place, and we’re excited to begin welcoming the public in a way that respects the land and its ecological importance,” said John McEwen, chair of Metro’s regional parks committee. “Widgeon Marsh Regional Park offers a rare opportunity to connect with nature in one of the region’s most peaceful and pristine settings.”
Visitors are reminded Widgeon Marsh includes wilderness areas with limited cell service, and no access to drinking water, so proper preparation is essential. A highlight of the park is a four-kilometre, accessible paved trail.
To preserve the park’s ecological integrity, dogs are not permitted except for service animals, and this will be strictly enforced.
Widgeon Marsh is part of southwest BC’s largest freshwater wetland and is home to some of the most sensitive lands in the region, and preserving its natural habitats and ecology is a top priority.
Metro will be offering workshops and school field trips to the area.