1966

A Regional Parks Plan for the Lower Mainland Region is created to meet the outdoor recreation needs of Lower Mainland residents (Population = 1 million)

1967

The Vancouver-Fraser Park District is formed to carry out the plan. Its priority: acquire land "while it is available and before prices rise too much"

1972

Regional Parks become part of the Greater Vancouver Regional District. "Parks are the region’s breathing spaces."

1979

Burnaby Lake Regional Park (Burnaby) is established. Regional Parks begins offering nature education programs.

1990s

Development pressure raises public interest in conserving large, undyked Fraser River floodplains, leading to the acquisition of land in 1995 for a future park.

1991

Lynn Headwaters Regional park becomes the largest regional park in the system at 3,700 hectares.

1999

Minnekhada Regional Park hosts a study to minimize impacts on its resident bats, especially a colony of Townsend’s big-eared-bats, a species-at-risk.

2000s

50 Year History of Regional Parks: Part 3 - Protect & Connect. Pacific Parklands Foundation, a registered charity dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of Metro Vancouver's regional parks, is established.

2004

Burns Bog Ecological Conservancy Area (Delta) & Codd Wetland Ecological Conservancy Area (Maple Ridge) established.

2007

Pitt River Regional Greenway (Pitt Meadows) established.

North Alouette Regional Greenway (Maple Ridge) established.

2011

Seymour River Regional Greenway (North Vancouver) established.

Sumas Mountain Interregional Park (Abbotsford) established.

Tynehead Perimeter Trail opens in Tynehead Regional Park.

2012

Metro Vancouver Board adopts the Experience the Fraser (ETF) Concept Plan. ETF is a unique vision to connect communities, parks, natural features, historic and cultural sites and experiences along the Lower Fraser River. The vision is centered around the ‘Canyon to Coast Trail and Blueway’ connecting Hope to the Salish Sea.

The new fishway in Burnaby Lake Regional Park mimics a natural stream, making it easier for salmon to get past Cariboo Dam.

As part of the plan for a new watershed stewardship centre, Bell-Irving Hatchery is demolished in Kanaka Creek Regional Park.

The new concession at Boundary Bay Regional Park is open, featuring a green roof, bird-friendly glass and ample natural light.

2013

Wetland at Aldergrove Regional Park restored.

New stewardship technician positions work to protect and conserve ecosystem health such as this project that uses beetles as a biological control against invasive purple loosestrife.

2014

Scotch broom is removed at Iona Beach Regional Park as part of a multi-year effort to restore the rare and threatened coastal sand dune ecosystem.

Inaugural Ecoblitz stewardship event

Universally accessible fishing ramp opens at Edgewater Bar in Derby Reach Regional Park.

Data loggers are installed to monitor water flow in Burns Bog Ecological Conservancy Area, providing information to help protect a unique ecosystem.

2016

Regional Parks Plan updated

Goal 1: Protect important natural areas to contribute to the liveability of the region and enhance connections with other parks or natural areas.

Goal 2: Within the context of natural area protection, provide opportunities for people to connect with, enjoy, be active and learn about the environment.

Surrey Bend Regional Park is established (Surrey)

2018

Parks outside of the Metro Vancouver Regional District are transferred to the Fraser Valley Regional District and City of Abbotsford: Sumas Mountain Interregional Park, Matsqui Trail Regional Park and the eastern portion of Glen Valley Regional Park. A portion of Aldergrove Regional Park’s land base is also transferred but continues to be managed by Metro Vancouver.

Metro Vancouver acquires a new tool called a Tiger Dam to protect parks along the Fraser River from damage caused by spring flooding.

An innovative engineering solution is used to replace Still Creek bridge in Burnaby Lake Regional Park, reducing the impact on sensitive surrounding ecosystems.

A beach for endangered Western painted turtles is constructed at Aldergrove Regional Park.

Metro Vancouver and partners restore a salmon-bearing creek in Pacific Spirit Regional Park.