AccessEco BC: New Westminster: the empire strikes back

The first of the Queen's artillery to arrive
is displayed at city hall

New Westminster was first surveyed by the royal engineers and Colonel Robert Moody in the mid 1850's. Colonel Moody and his troops were stationed up river in Fort Langley to keep the peace when thousands of prospectors seeking their fortune swarmed the banks of the Fraser River heading east towards Mission to pan for gold. Originally the area was called Queensborough and the hilly region so captured the heart and imagination of Colonel Moody that he recommended that it become the capital of the new colony called British Columbia.

Meanwhile, Victoria, the capital of the colony of Vancouver Island, was becoming a major port stop used by prospectors and commercial ventures on their way to New Westminster. The cost to maintain two separate colonies and capitals proved onerous. Following an Irish American Fenian uprising in Ontario, the colonies were amalgamated into the Dominion of Canada. To little fanfare, Victoria was made BC's capital city on November 19, 1886. In 1859, Queensborough was proclaimed a city and renamed New Westminster as an homage to Westminster in England, the new cradle of the modern British parliament. The name was chosen by Queen Victoria herself.

Good integrated childrens' play areas.

In 1887, with royal pump and circumstance, including a barrage of artillery, New Westminster opened 75 acre Queen's Park in honour of Queen Victoria's jubilee year. By 1889 park development was in full swing and on November 9, Canada's first Governor General, Lord Stanley, planted the first of many imported shade trees.

Beautiful rose garden

Since those early days, New Westminster has experienced many ups and downs. There is a real resurgence in the air, and the newest New Westminster is embracing its historic roots while looking toward a prosperous future. New Westminster's hilly terrain is challenging, but there are many reasons to visit this historic queen's city and the old gem of Queen's park is one of them.

Children's water park

The park is large and has a lot to entertain all ages, including a fairly accessible petting zoo and water park. Even some of the children's play equipment and other areas are inclusive. The park is undergoing a renovation to its playing fields and tennis courts. The big stadium ball field and hockey arena are still operating and could use an upgrade accessibility wise. Let's hope the facilities being built will meet the standards of universal or barrier free design. Most walking trails are wheelchair friendly, although the park is on a slope and needs more way finding aids. When it is necessary to cross roadways, there are safe accessible accessible washrooms, parking and other facilities. All in all it's a nice place for a picnic. For parking and facility details go to http://www.newwestcity.ca/ and follow the links.

Another great district to visit is the waterfront. This area has been a strange mix of residential success and commercial failure. Vestiges of the latest remake officially went up the creek when the Paddlewheel Casino raised anchor two years ago. The area was left run down and mostly abandoned. But this district is making a comeback replete with a freshly painted tin soldier and an improved Fraser River information centre. The design also includes a newly renovated quay market that has just reopened for business. On my visit I was impressed with the great washrooms, nearby parking and interesting food and drink offerings with more on the way. There are also many river tours. Riverboat travel as it was back in the day continues to require effort for the mobility challenged, so check carefully with one of many tour operators to see if this is for you. You can roll along merrily once you arrive at this flat river area. Railway tracks make it hard to get here from the sky train. Take a community shuttle or use the nearby accessible parking.