Archive for May, 2010

Looking for some great ideas for exploring our beautiful area?  Here are 20 suggestions to get you started:

1. Art Studios & Galleries – there are over 100 talented artists who live in Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows and they produce wonderful works in a variety of different mediums.
2. Bird Watching – one of the fastest growing activities in North America.  One of the best bird watching destinations in BC is right in our backyard at the Pitt Addington Marsh and Grant Narrows Regional Park.
3. Camping – an inexpensive way to spend more than one day in Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows.  Golden Ears Park is the largest provincial campground in BC and is situated close to almost every activity!
4. Canoeing & Kayaking – opportunities abound along the largest freshwater marsh in southwestern BC.  Rentals are available at the mouth of Pitt Lake and at Rocky Mountain Boat Rentals located at Alouette Lake.
5. Cycling – enjoy our extensive trail system along the dykes and through numerous parks, every ride is a new adventure!
6. Festivals and Events – we host an array of activities throughout the year, join us this Saturday for the Pitt Meadows Day Parade and plan to stay the entire day!
7. Fishing – there’s year-round trout fishing at Pitt Lake and excellent salmon and sturgeon fishing in the Fraser River, not to mention the cutthroat and Dolly Varden in Alouette Lake.
8. Golden Ears Provincial Park - this majestic park is the gateway to the 5000ft high Golden Ears Mountain, which is full of challenging trails.  There are heaps of activities awaiting the non-hikers, such as swimming, fishing, boating and horseback riding.
9. Golfing – we’ve got numerous courses ranging from beginner to pro!
10. Haney House – experience our history at this century-old homestead of one of the founding families of Maple Ridge.
11. Hiking – Golden Ears, Grant Narrows and Kanaka Creek parks along with the UBC Research Forest provide some of the best hiking trails around.
12. Horseback Riding – our area is an equestrian lovers paradise and you’ll discover why as you explore our many beautiful trails amidst pristine natural surroundings.
13. Meadows Maze – ‘ear’resistable family fun which will provide hours of entertainment during the summer months.
14. Pitt Lake – the largest freshwater tidal lake in North America, great for boating, fishing and even bird watching!
15. Pitt Meadows Airport – home to flight schools, charter air services and skydiving!  Participate, or come for lunch and watch the action!
16. Pitt Meadows Museum – this quaint heritage house holds the secrets to the history of Pitt Meadows…just waiting for you to discover!
17. Skydiving – if you’re feeling adventurous, why not jumpstart your day from an airplane with Pacific Skydivers.
18. Swimming – we’ve got indoor and outdoor pools as well as great lakes and creeks.  Hours of fun for the whole family!
19. UBC Research Forest – this working forest, comprised of over 5000 hectares of unspoiled wilderness, provides a great place for walking and hiking.
20. Walking – a perfect way to marvel at the spectacular scenic surroundings that Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows have to offer.  Whether you enjoy strolling and visiting the eclectic collection of boutiques in downtown Maple Ridge or a relaxing walk along the dykes, we’re sure you’ll find something that fits you to a ‘T’!

Got some more great idea?  Be sure to leave a comment so others can enjoy as well!

I recently had a local couple drop by the Visitor Centre to pick up some information on an upcoming trip to Penticton. They spoke of their extensive travels throughout our province and into the US and how they really enjoyed the Circle Routes. These are adventurous people who just love to stumble across some unknown treasure as they drive and explore. I was surprised as much as they were to learn about the really great things to do in our own area for daytrips. They had never been to the Power House at Stave Falls, Xa:ytem Lodge or Blue Heron Winery and were thrilled about the idea of completing one, if not all, of the Regional Circle Farm Tours. Please come by the Visitor Centre to pick up the Circle Farm Tour maps for yourself, you’ll never know what you might discover.

The Regional Circle Farm Tour is participating in EAT! Vancouver this coming weekend, so if you’re planning to attend, stop by our booth to pick up your maps and learn about all of the great agricultural offerings in our community and others. Also participating at the show is Pitt Meadows’ own Berry Boys who will be sampling their chocolate and yogurt covered cranberries and blueberries….mmmm!

I am quite sure most of us plan our vacations away from home, but why not think outside the box and be a tourist in your own town for a change. There’s so much to see and do in beautiful, scenic Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows. Explore and Discover today!

Even though it’s still cloudy today, it seems like the recent strong winds are blowing the wet weather away just in time for the long weekend.

This weekend is shaping up to be a nice one filled with great things to do, as always! The Vintage Car Club of Canada brings you their May Tour which takes place both Saturday and Sunday. Find a place along the route and watch automotive history in motion. There are 170 cars participating this year and you’ll see them all if you watch from the same place both days.

May Tour Routes

If you’re taking pictures and get some great ones you’d like to share, send them in, we’d love to see them

After the car tour, why not head on over to Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge for a visit to the Haney Farmers’ Market, where you’ll enjoy basket demonstrations, delicious home grown and home made goods and you’ll get a chance to see the worm garden as well!

Celebrate Spring at Maple Ridge Park this Saturday from 10am – 3pm where you enjoy all kinds of great community activities.  Everyone is welcome!

There’s always so much to see and do.

The Visitor Centre will be closed on Monday, May 24th in observance of Victoria Day.  Have a great long weekend!

It’s a rainy day in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, but don’t let that dampen your plans for adventure.  There’s lot’s to do even with a little precipitation.  Here’s a list of ten great things to do in our communities (even if it’s raining)!

1. Get Active at the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre or the Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre
2. See a Movie at Cineplex Odeon Meadowtown Centre Cinemas
3. Practice your swing at Meadows Golf & Baseball Centre
4. Play Bingo, Support Local Charities, (Win Big?) at Haney Bingo Plex
5. Go Bowling at Revs Bowling & Entertainment Centre
6. Take a step back in time at Maple Ridge Museum or the Pitt Meadows Museum
7. Get Cultured at the ACT Arts Centre & Theatre
8. Go wine tasting at the Blue Heron Fruit Winery
9. Curl up with a good book (or surf the net) at the Maple Ridge Public Library or  Pitt Meadows Public Library
10. Let the kids play at jungle Jac’s Indoor Play Centre, Club Cariboo, Quantum Gymnastics or The Rock Wall Climbing Gym

Add your comments about how you enjoyed any one of the suggested activities, or suggest your own ideas to beat the rainy day blues.

Don’t miss your opportunity to participate in our Perfect Day Out contest!  We’ve extended the deadline just for YOU!

More details below.

Maple Ridge: Population: 75,051

How do you find the best place to live and work? Start with a prosperous province with an international reputation for its beauty, lifestyle and industries and find a municipality that reflects these values. And that’s not hard to do with all the signs pointing to Maple Ridge.

Over the past few years, one of British Columbia’s best-kept secrets has been making its way into the spotlight. But now, with a vibrant town centre, cutting-edge residential developments and new transportation routes, the secret won’t stay secret for very long.

click here to read more

We’ve got some great new products at the Visitor Centre.  See us today, for the newest editions of the Backroad Map Books Fishing Map Books and other local maps.  We’re also carrying a unique assortment of local hazelnut products, and Pitt Meadows artwork by Paul Thornley.  Don’t forget that we also carry the BC Parks Parking Pass which affords you a full year of unlimited parking at most BC Provincial parks for just $25!