I love local parks almost as much as I love local history, so I thought since the sun is (currently) shining, I’ll start up my Metro Vancouver Park Series again to give you some inspiration for your adventures this season. Today’s feature is Kanaka Creek Regional Park in Maple Ridge.

Kanaka Creek Regional Park

Location: Kanaka Creek Regional Park (400 hectares) envelopes the twisting Kanaka Creek as it flows into the Fraser River in Maple Ridge, across from Langley’s Derby Reach Regional Park. You can get there right from Lougheed Highway 7, exiting onto River Road near the eastern side of the Haney ByPass.

Features: There are 10km of walking trails, 7km of cycling trails, and 5km of horseback riding trails in the park that features a coastal rainforest, waterfalls and sandstone cliffs. Watching salmon is a popular activity, either at the Bell-Irving Hatchery or the fish fence, which support enhancement activities for chum and coho salmon as well as cutthroat trout populations in Kanaka Creek.

Dogs (on-leash) are welcome in the park, and fishing is permitted subject to regulations set out by the Provincial Government for fresh water and by the Federal Government for tidal waters. There are picnic tables, and washrooms (some pit).

A post shared by Leila and Tulo Wilson (@leilaandtulo) on Apr 20, 2017 at 10:34pm PDT

The popular Canyon Trail is 1.2 km, about a 30 minute walk one way from the Hatchery, with some challenging hills. The Canyon Trail follows unique sandstone canyons with spectacular falls on the north and south arms of Kanaka Creek.

Follow the 3km Riverfront Trail for a 1 hour stroll on a relatively flat surface. Here you will find outstanding views of Kanaka’s oxbow and the Fraser River and all the wildlife in and around these productive waters.

A post shared by Alison P (@ali.sinn) on Apr 16, 2017 at 7:17am PDT

A post shared by pennydaflos (@pennydaflos) on Apr 17, 2017 at 3:23pm PDT

A post shared by Ernie (@ernie_kasper) on Oct 21, 2016 at 2:00pm PDT

For more information about this local park, and more, download the iParks App, and follow Metro Vancouver Regional Parks on Facebook. You can also check out hiking trails on the Vancouver Trails website which says: “The park is a great location for families to spend a day in the outdoors during the summer.”

A post shared by E M M A ↟ (@emmaaculate) on Jun 21, 2016 at 9:44pm PDT

Do you have a favourite local park that you would like to see featured? Leave a note in the comments below. Read about more parks around the Lower Mainland here »

There are some pretty creative trivia nights in Vancouver, there’s a new one to add to the list next month: After Hours Trivia Night at the Vancouver Aquarium.

Which marine mammal has the densest fur in the animal kingdom? How many arms does a pacific octopus have? What is the most common piece of garbage found on BC shorelines?

After Hours Trivia Night at the Vancouver Aquarium

When: Thursday, May 11, 2017 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Where: Vancouver Aquarium (845 Avison Way)
Tickets: Tickets are only available online. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets early as they often sell out. Tickets are $23 for members and $31 for non-members.

After Hours events provide adults-only access to the Aquarium, including the Wet Lab, all galleries, the 4-D theatre and Discover Rays. Food, cocktails, wine, and beer will be available for purchase.

Guests can explore galleries on their own or get involved in these special programs and activities that will have them urchin to know more:

• Participate in a Q and Ray in the Discover Rays gallery while having an up-close-and-personal encounter with stingrays as they glide through the water.
• Discover the dangerous animals that live in the Strait of Georgia – just off Vancouver’s coast – during an interactive talk by the interpretive team.
• Dive into facts about amazing aquatic animals and their dynamic habitats by embarking on a scavenger hunt or playing Jeopardy-inspired trivia.
• Catch a screening of the new, exhilarating 4-D film, Coastal Predators.
• Experience hands-on learning with marine invertebrates like sea stars, sea anemones, and more in the Wet Lab.

After Hours is a 19+ event. Photo ID is required for entry. All ticket sales are final. Membership cards will be required for member-priced ticket holders.

Vancouver’s DOXA Documentary Film Festival returns May 4 –14, 2017 at various venues and theatres around town. The festival will open with Marie Clements’ extraordinary documentary musical The Road Forward, a celebration of First Nations history and a portrait of a people who have retained their identity and power through art, activism and community.

In the words of the original documentary rebel Chris Marker: “Rarely has reality needed so much to be imagined.” In an increasingly chaotic world, documentary comes to the rescue, offering radical reinvention, brave new ideas for the future, and a flinty and unyielding form of hope.

DOXA 2017’s Spotlight on Troublemakers celebrates folk who upend the applecart, wreak havoc and generally disrupt business as usual with a selection of films that resist, rage on and fight for real change.

DOXA Documentary Film Festival 2017

• Dates: May 4-14, 2017
• Venues: The Vogue Theatre, VIFF’s Vancity Theatre, The Cinematheque, The Orpheum Annex, SFU’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, and the Museum of Vancouver
• Admission:* Evenings and Weekends: $13; Weekday Matinee (weekday films starting at 5:00pm or earlier): $11; Opening: $22 film and party; Special Presentations at SFU’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts: $15; Museum of Vancouver: $15; Student/Senior tickets for all screenings: $2 discount; Membership: $2; Festival Pass: $195 (Includes membership; valid for all film screenings including opening and closing night film and party). 5 Ticket Pack: $60; 10 Ticket Pack: $110

Visit the DOXA box office online or in person at #110–750 Hamilton St, Vancouver on April 22 & 23 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. Call (604) 646-3200 for more info.

About the Program

Midweek special presentations include Olivier Babinet’s youth blast of teenage energy in Swagger, and Jacob Smith’s Waking the Sleeping Giant that follows an intersectional coalition of activists, politicians and ordinary folk who are fighting for real democracy in the post-Trump USA.

Guest Curator David Beers has assembled a selection of incendiary new political films in Trumped! Now What?. The third edition French French includes a retrospective of the work of the legendary filmmaker Chris Marker. On the eve of the Provincial election, we are very proud to present a special town hall screening of Charles Wilkinson’s new film Vancouver: No Fixed Address.

Julian Rosefeldt’s MANIFESTO shouts revolution from the rooftops in the protean form of Cate Blanchett, playing thirteen different characters reciting this century’s greatest cultural and social manifestos (Fluxus to Dogme 95) in our closing night film.

Browse the full festival program online now »

Follow DOXA on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates.

* Prices are those posted on the DOXA at time of publishing. Subject to change. DOXA box office prices are always correct.

Seekers Media, publishers of SnowSeekers and FestivalSeekers, has just launched ZenSeekers – an exciting new media brand aimed at educating the world on nature, learning and cultural based experiences in Alberta and BC. To celebrate this new resource, they’re giving away a series of amazing getaways and experiences in the #SnowToZen contest.

ZenSeekers

“The content focuses on outdoors pursuits with an eye to expanding world views. It will feature engaging video, photo and editorial content around experiences and destinations that allow audiences to get back to a state of zen,” said Jim Barr, CEO of Seekers Media.

ZenSeekers appeals to people who seek out sensational moments on a holiday or even in their own backyard. It could be a peaceful hike in an ancient rainforest, climbing a mountain peak for the first time, or getting immersed in Western Canada’s unique aboriginal culture. Seekers Media correspondents deliver an array of activities and destinations, such as the awe of watching the Northern Lights in Alberta; a magical wildlife encounter in the Rockies or what it’s like to be a storm chaser – like Ricky Forbes.

“ZenSeekers is a rad hub of info and stories of travel that transforms you,” says Ricky. “It’s about moments that take your breath away, moments that help you find your Zen. Chase after your own ZenSeekers trip > get on over to ZenSeekers on Facebook, join the tribe, and enter to win 5 EPIC giveaways!”

#SnowToZen Contests

The #SnowToZen giveaway series is on now and you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to win some incredible experiences — and all you have to do is LIKE the ZenSeekers Facebook page and share their post to enter to win!

• April 24 – 28 Experience and adventure giveaway #2: Road trip to the interior of BC for a weekend Chalet rental and Hot Springs session in Nakusp – hike, bike and a soak wrapped in nature.
• April 29 – May 3 Experiences and adventure giveaway #3: Paddle into the wilds and watch for moose in Wells BC with Whitegold Adventures.
• May 4 – May 8 Experience and adventure giveaway #4: Travel to the end of the 101 Highway @Lund BC and head on a Sunshine Coast experience with Terracentric Adventures + BC Ferries package (1 car + 2 guests to/from Vancouver).
• May 9 – 13 Experience and adventure giveaway #5: Explore Dinosaur Provincial park via a palaeontology dig with a fossil prospecting tour. Who knows what you’ll discover!
• May 14 – 18 Experience and adventure giveaway #6: Destination Canada named Maligne Canyon as one of this country’s top adventures. Head out with Maligne Adventures in the Canyon next winter or raft the Rockies this summer – the choice is yours! Then hop on the Jasper Tramway to take the easy way to the summit of Whistlers Mountain for one of the Canadian Rockies most stunning views.

Again, all you have to do is LIKE the ZenSeekers Facebook page and share their post to enter to win.

ZenSeekers is the only digital network that fuels your passion and desire for transformational travel experiences in BC and Alberta. Follow along on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for more contest info.

Got Craft? is Vancouver’s largest indie craft fair and this spring is its 10th anniversary, marking 21 events over the last decade. Returning to East Vancouver with over 75 handmade makers including almost 40% new vendors to the show. Vendors will showcase home décor, toys, clothing, greeting cards, accessories, delicious edibles, art, bath products and so much more.

Got Craft? Spring 2017

Where: Maritime Labour Centre (1880 Triumph St, Vancouver)
When: Saturday, May 6th & Sunday, May 7th 10:00am to 5:00pm
Tickets: Available online now for $3 or at the door for $5.

The market gives an opportunity for the Vancouver shopper to buy a gift for Mother’s Day and find something as special and unique as Mom. Guests will enjoy capturing the moment in the Vancouver Photobooth, food carts from vendors such as Melt City Grilled Cheese, swag bags and participating in letter writing workshops hosted by The Anthropology of Giving.

Win a Got Craft? Prize Pack

Got Craft? has once again offered up an amazing prize pack for a lucky Miss604 reader to win. This year’s haul is valued at $1,400 thanks to Got Craft? vendors!

Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Click below to get another entry by posting on Twitter:

[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a #GotCraft prize pack (value $1400!) http://owl.li/CvZr30b8gE8 @GotCraftMarket” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]

Follow the event on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information and inspiration.

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Winner must pick up their prize at Got Craft? on May 6 or 7, 2017. Prizing is subject to availability by each vendor, but will be replaced with equivalent value. Prize cannot be exchanged for cash value.

Update The winner is @notcrocker!