It's all about family fun for New Westminster school trustee David Phelan, who likes visiting local parks with his wife and two boys.
"We often head down to Hume Park and start by either kicking the soccer ball around, playing some baseball or going for a walk through the trails," he said.
"After that, the kids spend some time on the playground."
They sometimes finish off their visit with a swim in the pool (free on weekends, only a loonie or toonie otherwise) and a picnic in the park.
"We also have spent a lot of time at the Quay recently, where the boys ride their scooters the length of the promenade to play on the submarine, then scoot to the other end and run around the Pier Park," Phelan said. "Of course, all of this exercise requires a treat from the River Market to end the day."
West End resident Briana Tomkinson says the river is a favourite place to be on a summer day.
"Grab some friends for a picnic dinner at the new Westminster Pier Park. It is wonderful. We were there recently and the kids played happily in the sandbox and the playground while the adults talked and watched the tugboats go by on the river," she said. "The new park is a magical place. Plus, you can pair it with a visit to River Market for gelato and picnic food."
Tomkinson has a few other recommendations for Royal City residents looking for ways to enjoy summer in the city: have dinner at Wild Rice at River Market and then take in a summer blockbuster at Landmark Cinemas and a post-movie craft beer at Hops (also located at the New Westminster SkyTrain station); enjoy dinner and drinks on the patio at the Dublin Castle, Wild Rice or Drink; and take a twilight stroll through Queen's Park.
John Ashdown enjoys taking in the Royal City Farmers Market on Thursday nights.
"The reason being is the great variety of vendors, as well as a fantastic opportunity to meet with friends and acquaintances, who you may not see at any other time," he said.
Ashdown also appreciates that the market is held in Tipperary Park. Being in nature holds a special meaning for Ashdown, who married his wife, Marge, on the bridge in Glenbrooke Ravine Park.
"Any place which brings me close to nature is my choice, which includes my backyard, with the stream and fish pond, and Marge's plants and flowers - very peaceful," he said.
Ashdown also likes strolling along the boardwalk but wishes New West had a spot to access the river and not just look down at it.
Fin Donnelly, MP for New Westmin- ster, Coquitlam and Port Moody, enjoys the annual start to summer - the Queen's Park neighbourhood garage sale.
"The garage sale is a great opportunity to meet new and old friends, see the heritage homes and browse through all the unique and interesting items for sale," he said. Afterward, Donnelly likes to end the day on the patio at the Paddlewheeler Pub, looking out over the Fraser River.
City staffer Sandy Earle loves to stroll through the city's crown jewel.
"My favorite activity in New Westminster in the summertime (and anytime) is to walk in Queen's Park," said Earle, an active communities programmer for the City of New Westminster. "The tall trees provide a lovely shady retreat on a warm day, and it always feels good to get out and be active in the fresh air. New Westminster is such a walkable city, and Queen's Park is one of the best places to do it."
When contacted last month, during a particularly soggy stretch, Coun. Jonathan Cote said he wasn't sure if there would even be a summer. But, if and when the sun does peek out, Cote enjoys taking his kids to the River Market for ice cream and then walking along the boardwalk and Westminster Pier Park.
"On a beautiful sunny day, there is nothing more enjoyable than taking the kids down to the market for ice cream and then taking a walk along the river," he said.
For Cote's fellow city councillor Chuck Puchmayr, catching a lacrosse game at the city's historic arena is an entertaining summer tradition. But he's also drawn to the city's waterfront.
"Spectacular," Puchmayr said, describing it. "As a teenager, I worked as a longshoreman on the New Westminster docks and have always felt drawn there. To see it now, not only the pier park, but the esplanade and gardens along the Quay, is a most remarkable transformation.
"I somewhat miss the romance of the ocean-going freighters and the camaraderie of the stevedores, but wouldn't exchange it for where it's headed today. I liked taking visitors to the old market and the boardwalk, and I will love taking visitors to the new pier park."
The first part of our Summer in the City feature ran Aug. 3. See www.royalcityrecord.com.
