Deer Lake Park, Burnaby (BC): Know All About Boating, Walking & Nature

Deer lake park is situated in the heart of Burnaby. It is spread over a large area with a lot of recreational facilities for the people. In the center of the park, there is a lake called Deer lake after which the park has been named. There are walking trail all across the park but one of the most scenic walking trails is the one which is around the Deer Lake.

Deer Lake on a Clear Summer Day

Deer Lake on a Clear Summer Day

One a clear sunny day, you can see a lot just by sitting in the park such as the Vancouver skyscrapers, mountains to the north of Vancouver and a lot more. While inside the park, there is a lot of activities that can be done. Here is a list of things:

  • swimming
  • cycling
  • Barbecue (only on propane gas)
  • no smoking
  • fishing
  • boating
  • walking
  • enjoying with kids in the playground
  • no camping
  • picnic
  • get together etc.

Deer Lake Park

Deer lake Boating timings

  • Easter to May – Sat/ Sun/ Holidays – 12 PM to sunset
  • May 1st to July 1st – Sat/ Sun/ Holidays – 10 AM to sunset + Weekdays – 2 PM – sunset
  • July 1st to Labor day – Every day 10 AM to Sunset
  • Labor day to Thanksgiving day – at/ Sun/ Holidays – 12 PM to sunset

Last rental is 1 hour before sunset. The last 1.2 hr rental is 1/2 hour before sunset. They are also available outside of the above times and dates for groups, birthday parties and company functions with 10 people or more. To make an arrangement called, Damien at 604-839-3949. Their website is deerlakeboatrentals.com

Deer Lake Park BoatHouse

Deer Lake Park Boathouse

Deer lake Boating Charges

  • Dry bag rental is $1 per hour

Deer Lake Kayak Charges

1 person Kayak

  • $16.07 plus taxes per hour, Maximum total weight should be 350 lbs or 160 kg

2 Person Kayak

  • $19.64 plus taxes per hour, Maximum total weight should be 450 lbs or 205 kg

Deer Lake Rowboat & Canoe Charges

2 Person Rowboat

  • $19.64 plus taxes per hour, Maximum total weight should be 400 lbs or 180 kg

2-3  Person Canoe

  • $19.64 plus taxes per hour, Maximum total weight should be 500 lbs or 230 kg

4 Person Canoe

  • $31.25 plus taxes per hour, Maximum total weight should be 850 lbs or 390 kg

Deer Lake Pedal Boat Charges

2 Person Pedal Boat

  • $19.64 plus taxes per hour, Maximum total weight should be 600 lbs or 270 kg

4 Person Pedal Boat

  • $31.25 plus taxes per hour, Maximum total weight should be 850 lbs or 390 kg
Deer Lake Park Boating Point

Deer Lake Park Boating Point

Apart from that, if you interested in the flora and fauna of the park, there are a lot of things that you should know.

Deer lake park wetlands

Deer lake park wetlands are important natural spaces that are becoming scarce. They provide clean water and nutrients to streams and habitat for small mammals, water-loving plants and breeding areas for ducks, songbirds, frogs, and salamanders.

Deer Lake Park Wetlands

Deer Lake Park Wetlands

The wetlands in low-lying areas beside Beaver creak receive runoff and groundwater seepage from the adjacent hillside and from Beaver Creek during the floods.  The water slowly drains through accumulations of decayed vegetation and soft soils into Beaver Creek, providing food and nutrients to fish and other aquatic life.

Deer Lake Park Hillside Lands

Deer Lake Park Hillside Lands

Protecting wetlands

The trail and boardwalk network in the park has been designed to offer views and safe passage to various natural features while minimizing impacts to sensitive plant communities and wildlife habitat.

Deer Lake Park Woodenboard

Deer Lake Park Wooden board

Deer Lake Park – Freshwater Fish

Beaver Creek that flows under the boardwalk is used by fish for feeding and as a refuge from predators such as larger fish, mink, otters, herons, and kingfishers. Young Coho salmon use this stream as they grow before their journey to the ocean. Resident fish include rainbow, cutthroat trouts, sculpin, stickleback, and crayfish.

Good water quality is important for fish growth and survival. Since stormwater flows into the creek, silt, oils, and pesticides washing off streets can be toxic to aquatic wildlife.

Deer Lake Wetlands Meadows

Deer Lake Wetlands Meadows

Deer Lake Park – Wetland Birds

Some bird species prefer wetlands for feeding and nesting. Others live in adjacent forests but may forage in the wetlands. Here are some of the bird species:

Year-round resident birds

  • red-tailed hawk
  • black capped chickadee
  • spotted towhee
  • great blue heron
  • Anna’s hummingbird
  • Bewick’s Wren
  • Stellar’s Jay

Summer Breeding Birds

  • Northern Harrier
  • March Wren
  • Cedar Waxwing
  • Swainson’s Thrush
  • Common Yellowthroat
  • American Goldfinch

Winter & Migratory birds at Deer Lake Park

  • Dark eyes Junco
  • Ruby Crowned Kinglet
  • Hermit Thrush
  • Yellow-rumped Warbler
  • Mountain Bluebird

Flowers at Deer Lake Park

Deer Lake Park – Wetland Plants

Wetlands are unique habitat for plants that thrive in wet soils or can tolerate being submerged by water. Most of the wetlands along Beaver Creek are wet meadows and open water pond area, and a remnant bog area on the Western lakeshore. Trees that can tolerate these wet conditions are:

  • Sitka Spruce
  • Western Red Cedar
  • Birch
  • Willow hardhack
  • Sweet gale
  • Black twinberry
  • Dwarf dogwood
  • Labrador tea
  • Salmonberry
  • Sedges
  • Bulrushes etc.
Deer Lake Wetlands Meadows

Deer Lake Wetlands Meadows

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