If you happen to find yourself in Richmond, BC and wonder what's there to see, then I recommend exploring the lovely neighbourhood of Seafair and the nearby West Dyke Trail and Garry Point. These are the places I chose for the first part of my series of photo essays from my favourite Vancouver neighbourhoods. I hope you'll enjoy the photos! Don't hesitate to leave your comments at the bottom of the post.
Dramatic Clouds at the West Dyke Trail
The West Dyke Trail is a one of the most popular trails among Richmond's Trail System. A perfect place for a romantic walk with a panoramic view of the North Shore and the Coastal Mountains, this trail is famous for its sunsets and sunrises, one of the most spectacular in Greater Vancouver.
A Colourful Neighbourhood by the West Dyke Trail
Richmond is famous for its rich soil and beautiful gardens - that's because it is built on what was originally a floodplain. Richmond is only one meter above the average sea level, so the risk of flooding would be enormous, not so much thanks to the West Dyke.
Cycle Route - West Dyke Trail
The West Dyke Trail is a perfect place for an evening bike trip. It takes you for a 12 km long ride south from Terra Nova to the Steveston/South Dyke area where you can turn around at Garry Point and ride back. The long expanse of marsh called the Sturgeon Banks running along the West Dyke Trail from North to South is an important habitat for nesting birds.
Peaceful Homes Next to the West Dyke Trail.
Seafair Gourmet Meats Store
One of the best family-run businesses in Richmond, Seafair Gourmet Meats has been around since 1984. They received numerous great reviews, because as they claim, they only buy the best quality, because there is a difference. The art of butchering is alive and well in Seafair.
Hugh Boyd Athletic Park in Seafair, West Richmond
West Richmond Community Centre
The West Richmond Community Centre is connected to the Hugh Boyd Secondary School and features a fitness centre (with a free weight room), a gymnasium, squash court, badminton courts and organizes aerobic classes.
Fresh Fruit at the Sunshine Farms In Richmond
Red Carrots Farm Market on Seafair Plaza
If you're familiar with the Red Carrots store inside the Robson Public Market in downtown Vancouver, you'll love the original Red Carrots Farm Market in Seafair. The service and prices are great and their special deals definitely beat the other stores.
Hugh Boyd Park
If you're lucky enough to live in Richmond, BC, you know that you have great sporting grounds at your disposal under city management. Hugh Boyd park in Seafair features a pitch and putt, 6 sport fields, 1 full and 2 half basketball courts, 6 tennis courts and a playground.
Richmond - Garry Point
Garry Point is located at the southwest tip of Richmond, surrounded by Garry Point Park. It's a great place for kiting and a picnic with a great view of the South Arm of Fraser River and the Gulf Islands and plenty of waterfront access.
View From Richmond's West Dyke at Dusk
The Clouds are Breaking Apart in Richmond, BC
Richmond Garry Point Night
One of the most beautiful public art pieces in Greater Vancouver, the Fisherman's Memorial Needle is a tribute to those who lost their lives to the job. It stands in a prominent place which all fishing ships must pass, thus serving as a memorial and also a reminder for the living.
Garry Point Park Trees
Meet The Photographer: Kevin Eng
Kevin Eng
Kevin EngKevin's passion for photography has encouraged others to see the splendor and beauty of nature right at their doorstep, as he captures the sights of the day, and colors and mystery of world while it sleeps. Many of the subjects of his work are based locally in his hometown in Vancouver, B.C., where he first discovered his fascination with night photography. Kevin is currently working as a music teacher, music director for his church, and landscape photographer.
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Try the Beef Sausages from Seafair Gourmet Meats on the BBQ….Incredible!!!
Awesome shots Jay! We can’t wait to see more from other Vancouver neighbourhoods. What’s next?
Thanks for stopping by! I’m preparing a new photo essay from Strathcona and It will be great!
Cheers,
Jay
What gorgeous photos – thanks for sharing!
Nice photos, Jay! I have been to this place and have taken photos here, another gorgeous place for photos is Terra Nova Park in Richmond!
Thanks a lot! Terra Nova Park is one of my favourite places in Richmond, I’ll let you know if I publish some photos from there!
Thanks everyone for visiting! And i hope that we all get a chance to see these great places in Vancouver as the weather continues to get warmer!
These are absolutely great ,Kevin ! ….have lived here for over 50 years and have seen so many changes…… these areas remain and artists like yourself let us see the beauty of Richmond !!
It’s also famous for it’s mosquitoes and what I refer to as cloud flies. (Those clouds of microscopic flies that hover in a cloud right at face height).
Nice photos, but just wanted to say that the West Dyke Trail is a bitch for road bikes. Wish they had paved the whole thing. If you want an alternative, try the Crabapple Ridge Bike Route! It’s so much fun darting around alleys & streets.
I used to ride those gravel trails on an old ten-speed for years. The trick is to wait for the vibrations to kill off the nerves in your arms and seat. After that, it feels smooth as silk! :)
That bike route has a fucking ridiculous amount of zigzags. Take the new path on Railway if you want to get where you’re going in a reasonable amount of time.
Most gravel paths, this one included, have tracks worn in that are probably smoother than many road surfaces. Obviously YMMV, but I’ve never had any problem keeping speed up, or found it very uncomfortable, especially considering that you really shouldn’t be trying to blast along on a mixed-use park path like that.
Great collection of photos of places I’ve seen grow and chance since the ’70s. They captured colour in a place that’s often seen as bland.
I especially like your shot of the radio towers in the marsh. Nice work.
Oh hey, look at that first photo… Just like the one I took 5 months ago
@TomCruise777 – Thanks for sharing your photo – I like how you included the front gate!
@cubey – Thanks! The radio tower photo was taken about a year ago under the right cloud conditions. West Dyke is a great place to go around dusk :)