Enjoy Whistler’s parks and lakes this summer
Summer is in full swing in Whistler, and both residents and visitors are staying cool by enjoying the community’s scenic parks and lakes. There are 31 community and neighbourhood parks within Whistler’s municipal boundaries.
Parks
Whistler’s community parks offer great outdoor experiences for all ages. Swim and stroll the beaches or hike along one of the mountain or creek pathways. Each neighbourhood also has a small park, a place for quiet reflection, children's play and relaxation. Each of Whistler's neighbourhood parks are unique— some have play structures, picnic tables and BBQ stands, water features or other attractions.
The RMOW manages these parks and recognizes that green spaces serve many purposes. They provide the community with clean air and water. They also promote a healthy lifestyle by encouraging walking, cycling and other leisure activities.
A few of the parks have access to lakes for swimming and water activities. All parks and beaches are connected by Whistler's Valley Trail, a paved, three-metre wide, 40-kilometre multipurpose trail that connects all subdivisions to the destination parks (Alpha Lake, Wayside, Lakeside, Rainbow, Meadow Park and Lost Lake parks), schools, Whistler Village, and Creekside.
Beaches
Local beaches are safe to swim in and the water quality of Whistler's major beaches is monitored closely. Weekly samples are sent to the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority for analysis and posting. Results have been excellent and show there is no evidence of contamination. Click here for more information.
The following parks offer sandy beaches to help you cool off this summer:
- Lakeside Park is located on Lakeside Road and offers a small beach, kids play area, grassy area, picnic tables, bbq stands, concession, boat rental and washrooms.
- Rainbow Park is located just off Alta Lake Road and this park has it all: a sandy beach, charming wharf and terrific amenities that include picnic tables, bbq stands (bring your own bbq), beach volleyball courts, a summer concession, beverage water fountain, swimming dock, wheelchair ramp and buoyed swimming area, grassy lawn, picnic shelter, group area and washroom/change room with flush toilets as well as a living roof. An off-leash area known as Barking Bay is located at the south end of Rainbow Park.
- Lost Lake Park is situated around tranquil Lost Lake. This park is secluded and offers a sandy beach, a grassy area with picnic tables and bbq stands, a beach, buoyed swim areas, several swimming docks, a concession, a group area and washroom/change rooms. Canine Cove, where dogs are welcome to swim off leash, is across from the main beach.
- Alpha Lake Park is home to the “Owl’s Nest” play structure, dock and sandy beach, volleyball courts and tennis courts, along with picnic tables and bbq stands. It is also the site of a community greenhouse and a special beach for dogs called Arfa Park. Click here for a list of off-leash parks and beaches in Whistler.
The RMOW would like to remind everyone in the community to stay safe while on the water this summer. Boating safety is important, and residents and visitors should be aware that motor boating is only permitted on Green Lake in Whistler. Green Lake has a large population of non-motorized watercraft, which have the right-of-way at all times. Floatplanes have also been given the right-of-way to land on Green Lake. Click here for more information on boating safety in Whistler.
Photo credit: Tourism Whistler / Mike Crane
