Looking for some fun in the sun – or rain – with the kids this summer? There’s plenty on offer in New Westminster and we've pulled together this list of some of the highlights of family fun in the city this summer.
Get out there and get enjoying your city!
Fun in the parks:
New Westminster Family Place heads outdoors for the summer and helps local families experience a variety of city parks.
Each Thursday, Family Place staff and volunteers pack up toys, bubbles and art supplies and head outdoors for some Sun Fun in the Park. If you’d like to join in on some Sun Fun in the park, you’ll find Family Place at these parks in the coming weeks: July 31 – Grimston Park; Aug. 7 – Sapperton Park; Aug. 14 – Moody Park; Aug. 21 – Grimston Park; and Aug. 28 – Queen’s Park.
For more information, call New Westminster Family Place at 604-520-3666.
Queen’s Park:
The petting farm and a spray park are just two of the many features in Queen’s Park.
Aside from checking out the animals at the petting farm or cooling down in the spray park, you can enjoy a walk along the Millennium Trail, catch some sports on the park’s fields and courts, or climb, spin and slide on the playground equipment. Like many of the city’s parks, city staff are at the playgrounds during the day to provide various activities for the kids.
Pack a picnic, or grab some treats from the concession, and make a day of it. The main access to Queen’s Park is on First Street (at Third Avenue).
Moody Park Outdoor Pool:
Take a dip in Moody Park Outdoor Pool, which has become a favourite among kids of all ages since its opening in 2009. Moody Park Outdoor Pool, located on 10th Street at Seventh Avenue, includes a diving board, slide, swim lanes and a roomy deck where you can relax or bask in the sun. The pool is open daily from 1:15 to 8 p.m.
(weather dependent), with special swims offered for youth (Wednesdays – 8 to 9:25 p.m.) and adults (Tuesdays and Thursdays – 8 to 9:25 p.m.)
Summer movie series:
Pack a blanket or chairs and some treats and take in one of the feature films being screened in this year’s Summer Movie Series.
Every Friday night, a movie is being shown on a big screen in Queen’s Park Stadium. Bring your family and friends to the park and enjoy the following flicks: July 25 – Muppets Most Wanted; Aug. 1 – Top Gun; Aug. 8 – Despicable Me 2; Aug. 15 – Grease (sing-along); Aug. 22 – Up; and Aug. 30 – Indiana Jones and the Riders of the Lost Ark.
The stadium doors open at 7 p.m. and the movies get underway at dusk – approximately 8:30 p.m. In case of poor weather, call 604-527-4634 to check on the status of the movie.
Day Camp:
New Westminster Parks, Culture and Recreation offers weekly camps for kids throughout the summer.
Junior Club Royale, which is for kids aged five to nine, includes a variety of outings such as swimming and bowling, as well as crafts and other activities. Based out of Moody Park Arena, Century House and the Queensborough Community Centre, the camps run until the end of August.
Kids aged seven to 15 can join Kids Club Royal for Friday out-trips to a variety of cool locations, including the Cultus Lake waterslides (Aug. 1 and 29), Grouse Mountain (Aug. 8), Science World (Aug. 15) and the Vancouver Aquarium (Aug. 22).
For details and prices about these and other parks and rec programs, as well as registration information, visit www.newwestpcr.ca and check out the Summer Active Living Guide. (You can also pick up an Active Living Guide at city facilities.)
Explore the past:
Learn about life in New Westminster from times gone by at one of the city’s most historic homes.
Irving House is open Wednesday to Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., with tours offered at noon, 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. The 1865 house is located at 302 Royal Ave.
Along with tours, Irving House also offers some one-day morning programs for kids in the summer. Sherlock Stones (for kids aged nine to 12 on Aug. 16) gives kids a chance to be an amateur archeologist and uncover lost treasures from the past, while All in a Day’s Work (for kids aged five to eight on Aug. 23) give kids a chance to get hands-on experience doing children’s chores from pioneer times – such as churning butter and beating rugs.
For details, check out the Summer Active Living Guide at www.newwestpcr.ca.
Library fun:
Beat the heat and head to New Westminster Public Library, where you’ll be able to enjoy some special summer programs.
The library is offering some special events for kids aged five to 10 this summer, including presentations by the Shakti Dance Society (July 29); the Burnaby Theatre Company (Aug. 5) and a silly storytime and craft (Aug. 12). Summer Fun Days take place at the main branch at 716 Sixth Ave. on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
The Queensborough branch of the New Westminster Public Library, located in the community centre at 920 Ewen Ave., offers drop-in crafts daily until Aug. 15. Different crafts are offered each week.
Do you have a favourite idea for family fun in the city? Send your suggestions to us by email, [email protected], or find us on Twitter, @TheRecord.
