Richmond Parks System
The Parks System
Richmond is renowned for its high quality parks and recreation facilities. The city has an extensive system of 140 parks that provide sports and recreation amenities in every neighbourhood and total approximately 2,153 acres (871 ha) of park land.
The Richmond Parks system is divided into three categories: City, Community and Neighbourhood.
City Parks
Community Parks
Neighbourhood Parks
Find A Park
The City's searchable parks database allows for parks to be searched by name, neighbourhood and/or amenity type providing a list of parks and features that meet individual search criteria. Visit Find a Park to access this database.
Designated Park Activity Areas
Under the Public Parks and School Grounds Regulation Bylaw No. 8771, the following activities are only permitted in designated areas.
BBQs and Camp Stoves
Open Fires, Wood and Charcoal Barbecues/Stoves
Open fires, wood and charcoal barbecues and stoves are NOT allowed in any Richmond park or on any beach.Natural Gas & Propane Barbecues/Stoves
Natural gas or propane barbecues and stoves are NOT allowed in any Richmond park or on any beach, except in the designated areas at the following parks:
Temporary, Pop-Up Park Shelters
Pop-Up park shelters will be in place mid-May through September. Locations include:
- Steveston Community Park (4111 Moncton Street)
- Terra Nova Rural Park - Adventure Playground (2340 River Road)
- South Arm Community Park (8680 Willams Road)
- Paulik Neighbourhood Park (7620 Heather Street)
Download the following 2024 Temporary Pop-up Shelter Map for the exact location of the shelters in each of the parks listed above.
Contact parks@richmond.ca for more information about pop up shelters.
Dogs Off-Leash Areas
Golf
Model Aircraft and Drones
Fixed-Lined-Controlled Aircraft
- Fixed-lined-controlled aircraft are only allowed at 12851 Rice Mill Road.
- All users are required to be members of the Vancouver Gas Model Club or the Pacific Aeromodellers Club, and follow the rules, regulations and requirements of use. Visit the Vancouver Gas Model Club and Pacific Aeromodellers Club for more information.
Radio-Controlled Aircraft
- Radio-controlled aircraft are only allowed during set times in the designated area at Manoah Steves Neighbourhood School Park (10111 4th Avenue). PDF Map
- All users are required to be members of the Richmond RC Flyers Club and must follow the rules, regulations and requirements of use. Visit Richmond RC Flyers Club for more information.
Drones/Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Drones/unmanned aerial vehicles are not allowed in any Richmond park.Power Kiting Activities
What is Power Kiting?
Garry Point Park is approved for Power Kite use by the City of Richmond. A power kite or traction kite is a large kite designed to provide significant pull to the user. Power kites are generally used in conjunction with a buggy or board, such as in:
- Kite buggying on a purpose-built three-wheeled cart
- Kite landboarding on an all-terrain/mountain/land board
- Kite skating on all-terrain roller skates
Power kites can also be used recreationally without a buggy or board, as in kite jumping or kite man lifting, where a harnessed kite flier is moored to the ground or one or more people to provide tension and lift. Anyone who uses a foil kite or leading edge inflatable kite to power a buggy, landboard, roller blades, skis or simply scudding and static flying are considered to be power kite pilots and require a permit to use power kites in Garry Point Park.
The North American Power Kiting Association (NAPKA) aims to support power kite activities throughout North America. The organization’s mission is “to develop and promote the following segments of wind powered traction kiting in North America (kite buggies, all-terrain bikes/landboards, dirt surfers and kite skates) by working with the public and local authorities to keep and/or open new areas for our pilots to participate in their activities safely”.
Code of Conduct
A Code of Conduct and a permit system for power kiting at Garry Point Park has been developed to ensure that power kite operators have committed to operating their buggies in a safe manner that respects other park users.
- Safety helmet with visible permit sticker must be worn at all times when participating in any form of land-based power kiting.
- Power kite operators must be in control at all times and use caution around park users.
- Park users have the right of way.
- Power kites shall only be operated in accordance with the North American Power Kiting Association (NAPKA) safety guidelines.
- Power kites and other equipment shall not cross the perimeter paths.
- Only permitted power kite operators can operate equipment.
- Power kite operators shall avoid other kite lines. Running into kite lines can be dangerous for the operator and other parks users.
- Power kite operators shall not operate equipment in a careless, reckless or otherwise dangerous manner that may pose a hazard to persons or property.
- Power kite operators shall not operate equipment while under the influence of alcohol or judgment impairing drugs.
- The City of Richmond reserves the right to prohibit power kiting during scheduled programs and events.
Obtain a Power Kiting Permit
A non-refundable Power Kiting Permit can be obtained via mail or in person:
- Payment must be made by debit, credit or cheque only. Cheque payable to: City of Richmond
- Drop off or mail your application to:
City of Richmond
Parks Department, 5599 Lynas Lane,
Richmond, BC V7C 5B2
Attention: Power Kite Permit - For lost permit stickers, a replacement sticker may be obtained at Community Services, Parks Department for a nominal fee.
More Information
Contact the Parks Department at parks@richmond.ca or 604-244-1208.
Public Covered Outdoor Space
Get outside and stay dry under one of the City's sixteen outdoor shelters available for informal public use at the following park sites:
- Aberdeen Neighbourhood Park (8331 Cambie Road) – 10 x 7.7 meter flexible use pavilion
- Alexandra Neighbourhood Park (9600 Odlin Road) – 14.6 x 4.6 meter artist designed open air shade pavilion (no rain protection)
- Dover Neighbourhood Park (5580 Lynas Lane) – 6 x 3 meter flexible use shelter
- Garden City Community Park (9280 Alberta Rd) – 7 x 6 meter flexible use shelter with picnic tables
- Kidd Neighbourhood School Park (10851 Shell Road) – 10 x 10 meter picnic shelter
- King George/Cambie Community Park (4100 No. 5 Road) - 13 meter diameter flexible use shelter
- Lang Neighbourhood Park (8211 Saba Road) – 10 x 6 meter flexible use shelter with perimeter seating
- London Heritage Farm (6511 Dyke Road) - 8 meter diameter flexible use gazebo
- London/Steveston Neighbourhood Park (6440 Williams Road) – 6.4 x 3 meter flexible use shelter with moveable picnic tables underneath
- McLean Neighbourhood Park (22451 Westminster Highway) – 5 x 7 meter flexible use shelter
- Minoru Park (7191 Granville Avenue) – 36 x 7 meter grandstand
- Richmond Nature Park (11851 Westminster Highway) - 9 x 6 meter picnic shelter and 7 x 3 metre washroom building roof extension
- South Arm Community Park (9020 Garden City Road) - 6 meter diameter gazebo with a table and seating
- Tait Waterfront Park (10255 River Drive) – 10 meter diameter artist designed flexible use pavilion with moveable tables and benches underneath
- T. Homma Neighbourhood School Park (12400 Railway Avenue) - 6 meter diameter flexible use gazebo which is available for public use outside of school hours.
- Woodwards Landing (11551 Dyke Road) - 7 x 16 meter shelter with seating
Roof overhangs and extensions at the Minoru Centre for Active Living, Richmond Library and Cultural Centre, Minoru Arenas, Steveston Tram, Richmond City Hall, Brighouse Park concession and Cambie Community Centre offer additional informal outdoor sheltered public space.
As per the City’s Public Parks and School Grounds Regulation (Bylaw No. 8871), be reminded that these sites are open to the public between 5:00am and 11:00pm, or as otherwise posted.
Special Places
Inclusive play, water play, picnic and rest areas can be found in places such as the Middle Arm Waterfront Greenway and London's Landing, the Sports Fishing Pier and the No. 7 Road Pier. Check out the sections below for more information.
Inclusive Play Areas
Park spaces that offer play for all abilities are key in creating an inclusive and welcoming community. There are a number of inclusive play environments in Richmond that contain a range of features from outdoor musical instruments to wheelchair accessible platforms. Below is a list of inclusive play spaces in Richmond that offer fun for all ages and abilities.
* Denotes may require assistance
Grauer Neighbourhood School Park
Getting there:
Driving: Barrier free parking is available nearby
Transit: Bus #401 and #406
Inclusive play features:
- Flush playground entry
- Music play
- Interactive panels
- Spinners
- Transfer platform
Hugh Boyd Community Park
Getting there:
Driving: Barrier free parking is available nearby
Transit: Bus #401 and #406
Inclusive play features:
- Continuous flush poured-in-place rubberized surfacing
- ADA ramp to a raised platform with interactive panels
- Playhouses
- Seesaw with hand grips*
- Spinner bowl*
- Saucer swing*
- Barrier free pathway to the top of a hill with a large sand play area complete with sand tables and a large shade structure
King George/Cambie Community Park
Playground location: On the north side of Kathleen McNeely Elementary School (Note: There is also a playground beside the waterplay area that includes wheelchair entry ramps, interactive panels and other inclusive features)
Waterplay location: On the south side of the parking lot off of Cambie Road
Getting there: Driving: Barrier free parking is available near the playground / waterplay area
Transit: Bus #405 and #410
Playground inclusive features:
- Poured-in-place rubber surfacing
- ADA ramps to raised platforms
- Roller slide and slide transfer
- Interactive nature discovery table
- ADA bridge with guardrails
- Music play including bongos
- Interactive panels
- Continuous and flush poured-in-place rubber surfacing
- Button activated water spray play elements
Middle Arm Waterfront Greenway
Address: 7411 River Road Playground location: Between Gilbert Road and Cambie Road, along the riverfront and near the John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse
Getting there:
Driving: On street parking is available nearby
Transit: Bus #401, #403 and #414 (Note: The closest bus stop is an approximate 12 to 16 minutes walk from the playground)
Inclusive play features:
- Poured-in-place rubber surfacing
- ADA access ramp
- ADA transfer station
- Tug boat with 2 slides, observation deck, interactive sounds and a bell to ring
- Sound amplifying discs
- Winding colourful pathways through ornamental grasses
South Arm Community Park
Playground location: Adjacent to the outdoor tennis courts in the centre of the park
Getting there:
Driving: Barrier free parking is available nearby
Transit: Bus #408 and #413
Inclusive play features:
- ADA ramps to raised platforms with interactive panels
- Tunnel through a mound
- Accessible pathway to the top of a mound with a bridge
- Seesaw with back support*
Steveston Community Park
Playground location: the southwest corner of the park, east of the Tram building
Getting there:
Driving: Barrier free parking is available nearby.
Transit: Bus #401, #402 and #413
Playground inclusive features:
- Accessible boardwalks connecting a village of playhouses
- Diggers
- Trawler with accessible ramps leading to raised platforms with a captain’s wheel
- Ring spinner*
- Seesaw with back support*
- Train with seating and tables*
- Continuous and flush, paved surface
- Button activated water spray play elements
Terra Nova Rural Park and Adventure Play Environment
Address: 2340 River Road
Playground location: The northwest corner of the park, west of the slough and south of River Road
Getting there:
Driving: Barrier free parking is available nearby.
Transit: Bus #401 (Note: The closest bus stop is an approximate 23 minute walk to the closest bus stop)
Inclusive play features:
- Entry ramps
- Spinner bowls*
- Saucer swing*
- Water play pump (coming soon)
- Raised sand table
Water Play Areas
- Steveston Community Park
- King George Community Park
- Lang Neighbourhood Park
- Burkeville Neighbourhood Park
- Dixon Neighbourhood/School Park
Trails and Linear Parks
In addition to parks, Richmond has a 200-acre recreational trail system. Visit our Recreational Trails and Cycling section for more information.
Community Gardens
A community garden is a shared green space maintained by community garden members to grow food, flowers and other plants. These spaces provide opportunities for city residents to grow food and to meet new friends, share knowledge and build community. Each garden site is divided into small plots that are rented each season by individuals or community groups to tend and enjoy. The food grown in each plot belongs to the registered gardeners and cannot be used or sold for any commercial purposes. Gardeners grow food and flowers, share knowledge with each other and the community and celebrate the seasons through social gatherings.
The Community Gardens in Richmond are managed in partnership with Urban Bounty. Call 604-244-7377 or visit the Urban Bounty website for more details, including plot sizes and prices, garden rules and how to join the wait list for this popular program.
Field Sports and Outdoor Facilities
Sports Playing Field Reservations
All sports groups or associations wanting to use outdoor sports facilities/areas should obtain a field use permit in advance. Regular sports groups should contact their local scheduler to find out about available times and fields. Contact Sports Services for more information.
Community Sports
Call 604-276-4383 and then press 4 for Community Sports information or refer to the list of Community Organizations. Community sports in Richmond are made possible due to the dedicated efforts of a large network of volunteer organizers, fundraisers and coaches.