Rediscovering Buckley Park. A great place to visit while physically distancing.

Since the start of the COVID-19 state-of-emergency, I’ve been working from home and staying close to home. Except for going to the shopping area along 64th Avenue between 200th Street and 204th Street, I have not left Langley City since mid-May. This has given me some time to explore the parks and trails in Langley City; I’ve set a goal to explore every City park and trail this year.

As I live in the Douglas neighborhood, before COVID-19, I spent most of my time in the Downtown area and around City Park. I did not spend much time at all in the Simonds or Alice Brown neighborhoods. This long weekend, I spend some time exploring these areas.

Buckley Park. Select image to enlarge.

One of our significant parks in Penzer Action Park which received a $1.3 million investment in 2016-17. If you continue to walking west along the BC Hydro power lines, you’ll get to Buckley Park. Buckley Park is from a different era.

Old sign in Buckley Park. Select image to enlarge.

Starting in 2014, there was a concerted effort to re-invest into our parks and trail network. I noted Penzer Action Park, but there has also been significant investments made at City Park, Brydon Lagoon and Park, and Hunter Park. This is in addition to playground renewals, trail enhancements, and the expansion of the community gardens network and dog-off leash areas.

Buckley Park is scheduled to receive $1.6 million in upgrades starting in 2027.

Even as the province reopens, the current advice is to “stay close to home and avoid any travel between communities that is not essential.” When outside, the guidance is to “keep physical distancing, as much as possible when in the community and where not possible, consider using a non-medical mask or face covering.”

How does this relate to Buckley Park?

As a park that has two formerly high-end sports fields, there is lots of room for people to visit or have a picnic while keeping a physical distance from others. Buckley Park also provides a way to access Hi-Knoll Park in Surrey which is a good walking area.

Access to Hi-Knoll Park from Buckley Park. Select image to enlarge.

Even after living in Langley City around 15 years, I’m still discovering new things about our community. You can stay close to home and still enjoy the outdoors.