Parks and Trails

Existing Parks

View of playground through a neighboorhood nook.The District of Squamish has parks and greenspaces in virtually every neighbourhood.  These spaces enhance the livability of our neighbourhoods and promote healthy active lifestyles.

Neighbourhood Nooks

11 weather protected spaces are being built across our community. Learn more.

Explore Squamish parks and playgrounds with our new interactive map.

 

Click the map to start exploringScreenshot of parks explore GIS map.


Parks Planning and Maintenance

An integrated network of neighbourhood and community parks, natural open spaces, recreation amenities and play spaces accessible to all residents supports community health and wellness. To ensure ensure safe, convenient access to neighbourhood parks and recreation amenities within a 10-minute walk of all existing and new residential developments, the District aims to address park deficiencies in underserviced areas, as identified in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (2012).

A number of parks projects are underway. Visit the Projects and Initiatives page.

The District Parks system includes neighbourhood parks and trails in residential areas, larger municipal parks that offer areas for a specific activity or protect a natural feature, and community parks that provide large open spaces for sports activities and to meet overall community needs.

Caretakers

The public washrooms, change rooms, garbage collection within the parks system, tennis courts, sports fields and playground maintenance, graffiti removal, parking lot cleaning (associated with a park), and skate park are just some of the areas that our staff maintain.

The Parks division cares for ornamental gardens, natural ecosystems, downtown landscape planters and hanging baskets, sport and entertainment venues and playgrounds for recreational and cultural enjoyment, and preserves and enhances green spaces on public lands, including more than 30 District parks.

In addition to horticulture, arboriculture, park construction, repair and maintenance, the Parks division is responsible for park design, landscape architecture, greenway development, sports fields and the Mount Garibaldi Cemetery.

Our staff work 364 days a year. The workload shifts depending on seasonal activities and weather patterns. During the summer months, we focus on playgrounds, tennis courts, public washrooms, garbage collection, and other areas that will enhance the experience people will have within our parks system. During the winter months, we spend time on playground upgrades, pathway maintenance, servicing change rooms, and improvements to other areas.

Due to the nature and scope of the work, we cannot provide daily attention to the entire inventory. We strive to provide a safe and clean environment for all our users. Unfortunately, at times, some people choose to use our facilities in a manner that leaves them in a condition that is not acceptable for the next user. To contact us regarding the condition of, or request maintenance for a particular area, please call us at 604.815.6868.


Trails

Squamish boasts an extensive network of single-use and multi-purpose trails for walking, hiking, mountain biking, dirt biking, and horseback riding.

The Corridor trail is a paved commuter trail that, when complete, will stretch from the Stawamus Chief Apron to Depot Road in Brackendale. It serves both as an environmentally-friendly commuter option to get safely from one end of town to the other, and also connects neighbourhoods and important recreation sites such as Brennan Park Recreation Centre, Smoke Bluffs Park, the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, and an extensive network of additional trails.

IMG 7561

The Squamish Estuary at the tip of Howe Sound provides valuable habitat to more than 200 species of wintering and migrating birds as well as other species.

2.1.1.3 estuary

The trails through the estuary provide fantastic bird watching opportunities and some of the best views of the Stawamus Chief and Shannon Falls.

Estuary trails can be accessed from the corner of Vancouver Street and Second Avenue.

The Sea to Sky trail is a multi-use trail that connects communities from Squamish to D’Arcy. The Corridor Trail in Squamish forms part of the Sea to Sky trail as it winds its way from the Squamish waterfront to Whistler.  Parts of this trail are still under construction,

The District of Squamish, Resort Municipality of Whistler, and the Village of Pemberton all proudly support this project.

This trail is part of the Trans Canada Trail. Explore the webmap.

2.1.1.2 SeatoSkyTrail

The Turtle Trail was inspired by the “Bright New Day” workshop held at Totem Hall in February 2012. The 80-person, two-day gathering recommended Squamish develop a Truth and Reconciliation Trail.

The circular Turtle Trail is modelled on the indigenous sharing/healing circle. Its intention is to build enduring community relationships through sharing stories/experiences/truths. Planned interpretive kiosks will touch on the diversity of Squamish: multiple histories, cultures, governance, environment, and social networks. The Turtle Trail is an invitation to explore Squamish’s past, present, and future.

The Turtle Trail connects five major Squamish landmarks and identifies access points to additional trail networks. From an eagle’s view, the trail resembles a turtle.

Trail information

  • 11.5 km
  • East side - mostly paved
  • West side - mostly gravel

 

Turtle Trail Map

(Click map to enlarge)

Squamish is home to a vast trail network that features dozens and dozens and dozens of trails catering to all ability levels. Local community organizations spend countless hours maintaining the trails, and work with various levels of government to construct new ones. A passionate group of community volunteers helps support these efforts throughout the year.

Get outside and explore them on foot or by bike! Visit the Squamish Adventure Centre to pick up a copy of the Squamish Mountain Bike Trail Map by SORCA.

When heading out to use the trails, please note that many trails are designated for specific uses, such as hiking only, mountain biking or motorized use, and many others are multi-use trails. Please be aware, and check out the sidebar links for more information about this incredible trail network.