Looking for some family-friendly fun in New Westminster this summer?
Start in the park.
The City of New Westminster is hosting a series of special events in parks around the city in the month of August. Check out these five options:
COMMUNITY GARDEN TREE HUNT
The city is inviting everyone to discover the new Ryall Park Community Garden (located next to the skate park). You can pick up a worksheet from the front desk at Queensborough Community Centre and then go on a hunt through the garden – you get a prize when you show your completed sheet to the staff at the front desk.
The community centre front counter is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays. Check ahead for holiday/long weekend hours.
Check it out anytime in August, up until Aug. 31.
TUESDAY TUNES
Family-friendly local musicians will entertain audiences at local parks on Tuesday evenings in August. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, snacks and beverages, and find the entertainers near the playground.
On Aug. 17, it’s Ranj Singh playing at Port Royal Park. On Aug. 24, it’s the Kaya Kurz Duo at Sapperton Park. On Aug. 31, it’s Ginalina and Friends at Moody Park.
All performances run from 6 to 7 p.m.
POP-UP PARK PARTIES
All-ages fun is arriving in four city parks on Aug. 26 and 27, with music, dance, games and fun for the whole family. (It’s not a drop-off program; parents or caregivers must participate with kids.)
The events are hosted by Rock’n’Beau, who describe themselves as “kids at heart who believe that life is a party.”
Want to join the fun? On Thursday, Aug. 26, the party heads to Moody Park at 2 p.m. and Ryall Park at 3:30 p.m. On Friday, Aug. 27, it’s Hume Park at 10:30 a.m. and Queen’s Park at 11:30 a.m.
YOGA IN THE PARK
Here’s one for those with teens in the house.
Yoga enthusiasts aged 14 and up are invited to join a free class at Moody Park on Sunday, Aug. 15 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Turn out on the south lawn dressed to go, with your towels or mat and your pre-filled water bottle.
The class will be cancelled if weather is inclement.
It’s free, but you do need to sign up ahead online, and space is limited.
MUSIC BY THE RIVER
This one’s a fun evening out with the kids – or a fun date night if you leave the kids with someone else.
Music by the River concerts have returned to the Westminster Pier Park festival lawn on Thursday nights, with music from 6 to 7 p.m. and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bring your own drinks (yes, alcohol is allowed), pack a picnic, or get takeout from a local business or the Eats concession at the park to make an evening of it.
Tonight (Thursday, Aug. 12), you can catch Scottish folk singer Dougie Greig. Next Thursday, Aug. 19, the night belongs to the Kaylar Chan Duo, with their genre-blending jazz/R&B/funk/blues/hip hop/classical/pop sounds.
The August series winds up Aug. 26 with Tissa Rahim, an R&B songstress with Middle Eastern flair, accompanied by Alvin Brendan.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected].
