Metro Vancouver has expanded its regional park on Barnston Island by adding nearly seven hectares of Fraser River foreshore.
Cyclists, walkers and others who take the five-minute ferry ride to Barnston will have access to a sandy beach and panoramic views of the Fraser River, the mountains to the north and Golden Ears Bridge.
The new parkland is at Mann Point, the east point of the island, where the regional district acquired about eight hectares in 2009.
The new addition to the Barnston Island part of Surrey Bend Regional Park will also conserve ecologically-important foreshore on the Fraser River, according to Metro Vancouver.
“Almost half a kilometre of riverfront in the geographic heart of this urban region is now protected parkland," said Metro parks committee chair Gayle Martin.
"Metro Vancouver now has parkland at both the east and west points of Barnston Island.”
About one-third of the property is not enclosed by a dyke, which is rare in this region. That wetland foreshore and upland field habitat supports many herons, cormorants, raptors and other bird and wildlife species.
The park expansion also supports Experience the Fraser, a joint initiative of Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley Regional District and the province to improve and showcase riverfront land along the lower Fraser River.