Hiking the dykes along an ocean island estuary

Richmond BC is made up of a group of islands connected by bridges

Where the Fraser, one the world's fastest flowing rivers, arrives at the Pacific Ocean, two large islands and a group of smaller ones are connected by roads and bridges to form the City of Richmond. The fresh and salt water mix of the Fraser and Pacific gives it the area the title of estuary.

Today we travel a small section of this 80+ km  dyke along the very accessible Bridgeport Trail, the not very accessible Middle Arm Trail and the moderately accessible West Dyke Trail. We begin the trip at Aberdeen Canada Line skytrain station. For directions go to http://www.translink.ca/ . From here it is 1500 m to the Richmond Oval. The Oval was one of the central attractions of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Now it serves as a community centre/sports complex. For details check out http://www.richmondoval.ca/.

Getting to the dyke across No 3 Road is easy with very wide curb cuts, auditory crossings and tactile clues. We follow the sign that points us down Cambie Road to a crossing at River Road which consists only of curb cuts and a crosswalk made somewhat safer by a three way stop.  The Bridgeport section of trail has accessible washrooms, lighting, paved paths, places to sit, and a great play area for children of all abilities.

Motion sensitive devices release sounds
of seals, fog horns, and squawking gulls

Inclusive play areas with all abilities play equipment

The oval is huge and very accessible

Middle Arm Trail is not accomodating to PWDs

The area is a bird sanctuary

Beyond the Oval heading southwest the dyke takes us to the Middle Arm Trail. This section of trail is rustic and not adapted. Long grass makes accessing picnic tables and benches difficult to impossible. Pavement turns to gravel. You have to commit to long sections of dyke trail with no exit points save the occasional set of stairs or steep embankments. There is no transit or amenities in the immediate area and no washrooms until you reach Terra Nova Park.

Terra Nova Park is a great place to watch planes come and go

After Terra Nova Park we get to the West Dyke Trail. This section of dyke is still gravel, but with more washrooms and access to benches it rates higher marks than Middle Arm.

Sight lines at viewing platforms need lowering

Miles of mud flats and driftwood

The turnaround signs let you know how far you have gone, but provide no clues as to how far the next turnoff points would be. Turnoff points of  this 7 km section of dyke are spaced roughly 1 km apart. Keep in mind that you will have to travel another 500+ m to get to No 3 Road to reconnect with transit. You could take this trail all the way to Gary Point Park and the historical Steveston fishing village.  Gary Point Park and beyond is much more accessible with paved trails, bus route access, numerous accessible washrooms and other amenities. We will save that trip for another day.