Surrey park enthusiasts are encouraging the community to get out this week and enjoy one of the Semiahmoo Peninsula’s green spaces in honour of National Forest Week.
The weeklong celebration kicked off on Sunday and Sunnyside Acres Heritage Society member Paul Schwartz notes there are a number of spaces to mark the occasion, including, of course, Sunnyside Acres Urban Forest.
“As many readers will know, this 370-acre forest was established by the City of Surrey following a successful referendum in 1988, when Surrey citizens voted to have it preserved in perpetuity as Canada’s first urban forest,” he writes to Peace Arch News. “That makes Sunnyside an ideal place for you and your family to visit between Sept. 21 to 27 to mark National Forest Week this year.”
The public area of the forest is located between 148 Street on the east, 20 Avenue on the south, 28 Avenue on the north and 144 Street on the east.
There are well-marked trails that lead into the forest from all sides of this area and for visitors coming by car, there is a parking lot on the north side of 24 Avenue as well as parking in the South Surrey Athletic Park, Schwartz notes.
“Sunnyside Acres is owned, and is there to be enjoyed, by every resident of Surrey,” Schwartz adds. “It is your forest.”
For more information on the Sunnyside Acres Heritage Society, visit www.sunnysideacres.ca or call 604-535-9288.