Come Explore with TransLink as we spotlight some interesting places in Metro Vancouver that you might not have been! 

As we have told you through our #WhatsTheLink series, TransLink is responsible for much more than transit! We own and maintain five bridges – the Knight Street Bridge, Pattullo Bridge, Golden Ears Bridge, Westham Island Bridge, and the Canada Line pedestrian and bicycle bridge.

We are also responsible fund the operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of the 2,300 lane kilometre-long Major Road Network.

This week, we’re going to explore some interesting places that TransLink takes you on our roads and bridges! Since 90 per cent of Metro Vancouver residents are within walking distance of a transit stop or station, many of these places are accessible by transit too.

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Suggested by Cliff

Are you a bird and wildlife enthusiast?

Located on Westham Island just west of Ladner and Delta, is the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary – home to over 280 species of birds.

Sandhill Cranes, Canada Geese, and Mallard Ducks are just some of the birds that make this 850-acre site their home.

It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., including statutory holidays. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children (2-14 years old) and seniors (over 60 years old).

The sanctuary is only accessible via the Westham Island Bridge off River Road in Delta.

Steveston Village

Steveston was founded as a fishing village in the late 19th century, but now is a popular tourist destination and locals, who want access to fresh seafood!

You’ll find boats docked at Steveston Harbour with fishermen selling a variety of fresh B.C. catch including salmon, tuna, crab, and more.

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery and Britannia Heritage Shipyards National Historic Sites is a time capsule back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The cannery offers visitors a glimpse into what it is like to work in one, while the historic site is complete with authentic buildings and boatyards from yesteryear.

It’s also where B.C.’s first—and I believe only—scramble intersection is located, so if you’re into that kind of stuff, you might want to check that out too!

Steveston Village is accessible by car from Steveston Highway off Highway 99 and on transit on the 410 22nd Street Station/Railway bus.

Westminster Pier Park

Interested in seeing the results of urban revitalization?

Then the Westminster Pier Park in New Westminster is for you! This nine-acre park is a recent addition to the city’s waterfront that opened in June 2012.

The land that the park now occupies was an area that was  formerly remnants of an old shipping dock. Today, it is complete with green space, basketball and volleyball courts, benches, two playgrounds, and much more! Believe it or not – there are even plans to add an urban beach to the park!

Aside from the park, it is located close to River Market and the Fraser River Discovery Centre. It’s the place to be if you’re interested in learning more about B.C.’s most famous river and the role it played in the province’s development.

The park is located on Front Street, across from Columbia Station, and is accessible from the Pattullo Bridge.

This park has picked up ten different awards including the National Brownie Award from the Canadian Urban Institute for sustainable remediation technologies.

Badminton Vancouver

Are you a badminton fan? Then you might want to check out the Badminton Vancouver, which bills itself as North America’s premier badminton facility.

The facility has a 33′ foot ceiling and is complete with twelve tennis courts using Olympic quality flooring.

Fees range from $2 per person to $7 per person for drop-in. Want to play with a group of friends? Court rentals are also available ranging from $12.70 an hour t0 $21 an hour.

Badminton Vancouver is open seven days a week at 110-13100 Mitchell Road on Mitchell Island off the Knight Street Bridge.

Taking public transit? You can do that too! Just take the 430 Metrotown Station/Richmond-Brighouse to the Mitchell Island stop.

Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. from Sunday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Surrey Art Gallery

Are you interested in art? Then the Surrey Art Gallery might be for you!

This contemporary art museum is located at 13750 88 Avenue in Surrey, just one block east of King George Boulevard.

It is complete with works from local, national, and international artists.

On exhibit now is ARTS 2014: A Juried Exhibition of Visual Art and Change: Contemporary Ismaili Muslim Art.

The gallery is located right on the Major Road Network, but you can also take the 96 B-Line and get off at 88th Avenue.

Little Saigon

Kingsway in Vancouver is unique in that it stretches diagonally from the northwest to the southeast in a city where streets run parallel to each other. It’s also unique in that it is one of the most culturally diverse streets in the region.

This street, between Fraser and Knight Street, is home to Vancouver’s Vietnamese neighbourhood, Little Saigon.

Named after Vietnam’s largest city, it is filled with mom-and-pop businesses ranging from grocery stores, cellphone dealers to pho restaurants. There’s also Chinese restaurants that are sprinkled through out Little Saigon as well.

Kingsway is part of the Major Road Network and the corridor is serviced by the 19 Metrotown Station/Stanley Park bus.

(There’s also a Little Saigon restaurant that is worth checking out too!)

Koreatown

Although this distinction is not official, the juncture of North Road and Lougheed Highway in Burnaby and Coquitlam is often recognized as the region’s de facto “Koreatown” owing to its large Korean population and businesses.

Interested in trying Korean food? There’s no better place to go since this area is home to a wide number of restaurants and businesses.

If you are a keener and want to cook at home, there are two Korean supermarkets – Hanahreum Mart on one side of North Road and Hannam Supermarket on the other.

North Road and Lougheed Highway are both part of the Major Road Network and this unique neighbourhood is located in close proximity to Lougheed Town Centre Station.

Ready to go?!?

If you’re planning to take transit, use Trip Planner or contact our Customer Information team at 604.953.3333 or tweet them @TransLink, 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Driving? Use Google Maps to plan how to get there.

Share your adventures in the comments section below let us know of some other awesome Metro Vancouver attractions you can access using our Major Road Network and bridges!

Author: Allen Tung