Surrey Lake Park

Looking for a way to keep me distracted before a dreaded graveyard shift, my driving buddy suggested we take a short drive out to a park in Surrey he'd just found on "Google Earth". So, with me behind the wheel, we headed off to "Surrey Lake Park". It's in the 152nd & 72nd area of the city.

We were both amazed at the beauty and tranquility of the place. It's not the biggest park by any means. But such a breath-taking spot in a very unassuming spot.

Surrey Lake is actually a man-made lake. The park was open in 2002 and although artificially created, the lake is home to a variety of amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds and mammals. Depending on the time of year, chum, coho salmon and steelhead can be found in the lake.

Like any lakes and wetlands, Surrey Lake Park attracts a broad variety of water birds such as Great Blue Herons, Marsh Wrens and King Fishers.

The forested area along the loop trail, is home to 'forest-dwelling' birds that can be found in abundance. Black-cap Chickadees, Spotted Towhees, Cedar Waxwings and Pileated Woodpeckers are just a few of the birds that call this park home.

The lake also holds other benefits besides habitat, it helps with flood control and provided opportunities for recreation. Depending on the time of year and precipitation levels, the lake can vary in size between 10 and 20 acres.

Trail Round Trip: Approx. 1.5 km; allow 45 minutes to an hour to complete.
Directions: The park must be approached heading north on 152 Street. Between 72 Avenue & 76 Avenue. Keep an eye open for the sign for Surrey Lake Park on the east side of the street. Enter directly into the parking lot.

Surrey Lake.

A chain link fence keeps the riff-raff off the adjacent golf course but isn't very good at keeping the balls in. Foooooore.

Berries on the brink of blooming all along the paths.

Level, wide and well maintained paths meander through the park for everyone to enjoy.

A bald eagle swooped past overhead heading for its nest.

I'm told this is called 'horse tail'.

A few more days of sun and this little guy - and the million others along the path - will be bursting with sweet goodness!

Reflections on the water feeding into the wetlands and lake.

This little jewel is definitely on my 'visit-more-than-once' list of places to go. Maybe before my next graveyard shift.