Cherry blossom spotting has begun again in New Westminster.
Blossoms aren't quite as far along as usual this spring, but with the kickoff of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival this weekend (Saturday, April 1), it's nonetheless time to indulge in Metro Vancouver's favourite annual rite of spring.
New West always has more than its fair share of cherry trees to enjoy, and, although many of them aren't quite in flower, it's time to once again round up a list of the best places for sakura strolling. With the help of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival's neighbourhood map, we've rounded up this guide to get you started on your blossom watch. (Note that all dates are from the VCBF map and are approximations based on past blooming patterns.)
Here, in roughly east-to-west order, are some must-see spots:
Hume Park area
You can find some stately beauties along the park edge and in the adjacent neighbourhood, including Fader Street between Major and Braid. The VCBF map says the Fader Street trees are of the Kanzan variety, meaning they'll reach their peak between April 17 and 30 or thereabouts. Other trees in the area are Akebono and Rancho.
Skwo:wech Elementary School
If you ever travel Richmond Street, you know this beautiful stand of stately, mature cherry trees in front of Sko:wech (formerly Richard McBride Elementary School). They're Akebono, which makes them among the early bloomers in the region, with a usual bloom time of late March to mid-April — though they're slightly behind that schedule this year. Keep watch, though; it won't be long now.
Fraser/St. Peter's Cemeteries
Just a little ways down Richmond Street, you'll find these beauties that haven't yet come into bloom. These gorgeous old trees are of the Kanzan variety, so their peak blooming time is estimated between April 17 and 30. Save the date, because these blossoms, in combination with the spectacular Fraser River views, are always a highlight.
Kwantlen and Jamieson courts
As Richmond Street turns downhill to head down to East Columbia, you'll pass some prime cherry tree viewing territory. Don't miss Kwantlen and Jamieson courts, in particular. The VCBF map says the trees in the Kwantlen cul-de-sac are Akebono; on Jamieson Court (where many are already in bloom), it's also mostly Akebono, with one Shirotae at the end.
Victoria Hill
Here's a new addition to the VCBF map for 2023: The Lookout at Victoria Hill (22 East Royal Ave.). You can find 18 Shiro-fugen and two Kanzan; expect later blossoms, between about April 17 and May 10.
Queen's Park
The neighbourhood is full of an abundance of trees, and the park proper boasts a few highlights. You can find three Washi-no-o trees near Vancouver Street (two mid-block and one near the Millennium Trail). There's also some large Washi-no-o trees right near the park entrance at Third Avenue and First Street. All of those will be at their peak in the first two weeks of April, according to the VCBF map.
Hastings Street
Catch this little spot of beauty tucked away just north of the Pattullo Bridge: Ukon trees on the whole block of Hastings, between Agnes and Wellington. Expect best blooms in the latter half of the month, between April 13 and 26.
Third Street
It's always a New Westminster highlight, with a glorious arch of blossoms along Third Street between Royal and Sixth Avenue. Foremost among them are the Kanzan trees, meaning their peak is anticipated between April 17 and 30.
Osborne Avenue
This one is a new addition to the VCBF map: an arch of Kanzan trees over the one-block length of Osborne. Expect them between April 17 and 30.
Seventh Avenue
Also notable for its Kanzan beauties is Seventh Avenue, particularly between Fourth and Fifth streets. Again, expect peak glory between April 17 and 30. Also on Seventh are Washi-no-o, set to peak in the first two weeks of April.
New Westminster City Hall
Right at city hall, you can find several beautiful, mature Akebono trees (though they didn't make this year's map). They're not quite yet in bloom, but keep watch on city hall and neighbouring Tipperary Park and Friendship Gardens for good blossoms throughout the early part of April.
Royal Avenue and 10th Street
Right at the entrance to the Plaza Pointe condos at 98 10th Street, you can find a popular group of Akebono trees, in their viewing prime until April 13 or so.
Fourteenth Street
There are a couple of pockets here, which we're resurrecting from the files since neither made the VCBF map this year. At the foot of 14th, you can find Shirotae in Riverside Adventure Park, which generally peak between the second and fourth weeks of April. Uphill, look for the stretch between Dublin and London, which we're told is not to be missed.
Share your best New Westminster cherry tree ideas and photos
We know this list isn't even close to exhaustive, so don't be shy: reach out with your ideas of where else to find great blossoms. And if you're willing to share some photos, please do — we'll collect a gallery of highlight blossoms as the month unfolds.
Send your ideas and photos to Julie, [email protected].
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival 2023: Where, when, what to do
Obsessed with all things cherry blossom related? Be sure to check out the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, kicking off April 1.
- The Big Picnic: Meet under the cherry tree canopy in David Lam Park (1300 Pacific Blvd.) for all kinds of fun including a ceremony, food trucks, interactive arts activities and workshops, and more. It's Saturday, April 1 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Sakura Days Japan Fair: Delve into the fun at Van Dusen Botanical Gardens April 15 and 16.
- Bike the Blossoms: Join in the ride at John Hendry Park on Saturday, April 22.
- 2022 Haiku Invitational: Can you write 17 memorable syllables and earn your place among the best cherry-blossom poets? The annual contest is open again, with prizes up for grabs in several categories.
You can find all the details at the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival website.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected].
