Hendry Park and Trout Lake

John Hendry Park, better known by the locals as (Vancouver's) Trout Lake, was the former site of Hastings Mill. The mill, owned by city maverick John Hendry, was the very first within city boundaries. Hendry chose this location because the adjacent lake between the Fraser River and the Burrard Inlet was perfect to supply power to his mill. A man of means and vision, he purchased the area just prior to the arrival of the railroad. He would later step back from the lumber business and become a railroad baron. He continued to own the land, passing it to his daughter and her husband in 1916. By 1920 the mill had been closed and in 1926 the Hambers donated the land to the city as a park with the provision that it be named after Mrs Hamber's late father. I don't know why the name never caught on and why it is still called Trout Lake because there are no recorded sightings of trout since before the second world war.

Lots of open fields

The north end of the lake is an off leash dog area

Humans are allowed to swim on the south side

BBQs are permitted but not provided

Personally I would not swim in the lake as it is often closed due to high fecal coliform levels. But safe swimming will soon be possible with the opening of an aquatic centre with in and outdoor facilities. This will be attached to newly designed community centre sports complex.

This new Trout Lake Community Centre has been years in the making and is a part of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic/Paralympic legacy. It was used as a training centre for the figure skaters and sledge hockey players during the games. This state of the art multi-use centre will certainly be the highlight of the park when it is completed in the fall of 2011. The current centre continues to operate with limited programing until then.

The south and west sides of Trout Lake are left wilder

Harry Whitehead has been coming to the park since 1935

Play areas can be accessed but there is no adaptive equipment

As it stands now the park is fairly accessible. The washrooms at the beach house are accessible, and most of the trails and lookout points are equally as inviting.  There are soccer fields and baseball diamonds with accessible clubhouse facilities. By the way, the City of Vancouver has posted an accessible trail guide on their website. Check out accessible hiking trails at this and other city parks at www.vancouver.ca/parks/activecommunity/walks.htm

The biggest drawback is getting to the park. Although it is very close to the Commercial/Broadway skytrain station walking there is a bit hazardous. Commercial Drive is an accessible street with proper crosswalks, curb cuts, etc but when you need to turn off it to walk to the park, safety is questionable. Several of the side streets are badly in need of an upgrade. Better to book a HandyDart if you can, or drive. Parking lots at the south and north end of the park have disability parking. On Saturdays through the summer the north parking lot hosts a fantastic farmers' market. For information on transit including HandyDart and trip planning go to www.translink.ca