Trout Lake is a pretty lake in John Hendry Park, East Vancouver. The Trout Lake beach has fantastic views out to the North Shore Mountains. The rest of the park is nice to wander around and has pretty good facilities although most things are closed at the moment due to covid-19.

It sounds like lock down/ self isolation rules are a little different all around the world. Here in Vancouver if at all possible, everyone is supposed to work from home. The Provincial Parks (where I would normally be snowshoeing or walking on low elevation trails at this time of year) are all closed. However we are allowed outside to exercise; So I have swapped the time I would normally spend commuting exploring our neighbourhood. Basically, we can’t get into the wilderness, but we can cycle or wander around the city to find new pretty places. I’ve been exploring for the last month and a half, so I’d like to introduce some of the really nice community parks and nature-spots around Vancouver.

Self Isolation Walks

How do you find places to wander? As we’re stuck in the city, I tend to look at maps of the area around our home and watch out for the green spots to find parks or wild areas. I had heard of Trout Lake before I walked over there, but the first time I saw this view from Trout Lake Beach I was blown away. That is Crown Mountain, Grouse Mountain and Mount Fromme reflected in the lake along with the crow. Gorgeous eh!?

John Hendry Park Facilities

The park is fabulous for doggies. There is a off-leash area at the North side of the park.

For hoomans, there are a few picnic areas (and bbqs are allowed here), washrooms, and various playing fields for a range of different sports (not that anyone can play at the moment.) If you like the sound of visiting in summer, bring your bathing suit as there are lifeguards from mid-May to early September. Even if you are in a wheelchair, apparently you can reserve a water wheelchair at trout beach. Click here for more info on Vancouver’s accessible beaches.

Walking to Trout Lake

Another thing I love about this part of Vancouver, is the back streets are so flipping nice. Marc and I have explored the streets in all directions near Trout Lake, and although some streets are posher than others, they are all really lovely to walk along. Especially in spring time. I have found plenty of cute bird houses, fairy doors and sweet little parks on the way.

The last month (April) has been especially nice for walking with the various waves of blossom trees decorating the backstreets of Vancouver. This week, the last (super pink) kanzan blossoms are starting to fall so it looks like pink snow for almost the entire walk/run to Trout Lake.

I also need to give a shout out to this rainbow crosswalk near Charles Dickens Elementary School and Sunnyside Park. It just gets prettier each time I go past as more trees bloom.

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Trout Lake Beach

This is my favourite part of the park. It’s a bit too early in the season to see people swim here, but I have seen plenty of happy birds and dogs making the most of the beach. This photo is from the first time I visited. I haven’t seen the lake look like a giant mirror again like this, but I keep going back just in case.

It’s more likely to look like this.

This is from the same spot a few weeks later. The leaves were about to open, so everything looked yellow and golden, almost autumnal.

North Side of Trout Lake

There is a loop around the lake which you can wander around. The North side of the lake doesn’t have quite such gorgeous views, but this is where you’ll see the most doggos.

Willow trees

I’m not sure if John Hendry Park is famous for this, but I love all the willow trees around Trout Lake. They are only just starting to get their leaves at the moment, so they are bright yellow and just light up the whole park.

Muddy areas around Trout Lake

Apart from the beach to the south and the boardwalk to the north, you can’t get very close to the lake as there is deep mud around it. There are quite a few signs asking people to be careful but I have also seen some very muddy, happy looking dogs walking here!

Living Fences

This is only a small extra note, but I love that they have woven fences to stop people from trampling on the delicate muddy ecosystems.

Trout Lake Community Centre

There is also a huge community centre at the end of the park. This has an ice rink, a gym, a huge fitness centre that includes a training room and dance studio. I even saw a poster for an art studio as well as a pottery studio and a music room. Once the lock down is over, I’d like to visit it properly.

So, that is one of the first gorgeous places I found on my lockdown wanders around Vancouver. Trout Lake is about 3km away from where we live, so it is perfect for a quick evening stroll, or for a jog when I am feeling more energetic.

Have you been walking the back streets and finding new parks where you live? Or, are you lucky enough to live close to more wild trails? I’d love to hear how you are all managing with staying at home.

If you ever stay in East Van, you might like to visit Trout Lake too. Or if you want other ideas for beautiful parks in Vancouver, I have a whole post full of them! Please click on the pins to save them for later.