Richmond Nature Park Photo: Rob Weiss
The intersection of Highway 99 and Westminster Highway in Richmond, seems an unlikely place to connect with nature! Jumbo Jets thunder overhead and the roar of traffic is difficult to ignore, yet as I wandered along the Richmond Nature Park trails I quickly found myself leaving the frantic pace of city life behind me. I was immersed in nature and it felt fantastic! Surprisingly, many long time residents are unaware that this fabulous 200-acre natural oasis exists on the edge of town. Strolling along the trails, it didn’t take long to realize that I was exploring a peat bog. Interested in learning about this unique habitat, I paid a visit to the Nature House. Interactive displays, and games designed for the younger crowd, told the story of the raised peat bog habitat that historically covered a large portion of Lulu Island. In fact, 10,000 years ago visitors to the Richmond Nature Park would have been swimming in the Strait of Georgia! Today, the landscape is evolving as Pine and Birch trees begin to transform the bog into forest.
