An indoor trail is one of the features of the newest exhibit at Fraser River Discovery Centre.
The centre will unveil its new Experience the Fraser exhibit on Saturday at RiverFest. Working in collaboration with Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Regional District, Fraser River Discovery Centre sought to create a fun, interactive, mini riverine trail system that promotes the recreation opportunities and unique cultural experiences the Lower Fraser River corridor has to offer.
“The goals of the Experience the Fraser project align perfectly with Fraser River Discovery Centre’s vision to connect communities in discovery and celebration of the living, working Fraser River,” said executive director Catherine Ouellet-Martin. “We are very pleased to see the ETF project develop and this new exhibit reminds us all that despite the very industrial nature of much of the Lower Fraser, there is still a wide variety of choices for urban and rural enjoyment of trails along the corridor.”
Ouellet-Martin said it will be a really fun, interactive exhibit that promotes the idea of getting off the couch and enjoying activities along the Fraser River, including walking, running, canoeing and biking.
According to Fraser River Discovery Centre, the indoor trail transports visitors to the scenic shores of the Mighty Fraser and invites them to get on a bike, portage a voyageur canoe or simply experience the joy of a walk through the woods. Complete with tree canopy, projections, oversized floor maps and murals, the exhibit inspires people to get outdoors and start exploring.
“The intention is to connect communities to each other and to the river, to knit together points of interest such as parks, natural features, historic and cultural sites and festivals – and to continue to build on that recreation and tourism network, creating one of the world’s greatest river destinations,” Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton, a provincial member of the project’s steering committee, said in a press release.
Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley Regional District, the province and communities along the Fraser River have been working on the Experience the Fraser initiative, which seeks to create a number of experiential journeys along the Lower Fraser River that help give people an understanding of its ecology, people, history, communities and industry. Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley Regional District boards have adopted the Experience the Fraser concept and implementation plans.
The new Experience the Fraser exhibit promotes the Canyon to Coast trail and blueway components of the Experience the Fraser project. The project aims to
connect the Lower Fraser River from Hope to the Salish Sea by means of more than 640 kilometres of trail and via the river itself.
With its location on New Westminster’s waterfront, Fraser River Discovery Centre believes it’s the perfect venue to bring awareness, educate and encourage visitors to experience the natural beauty and opportunities of the Fraser River.
