Whonnock Lake Park offers a wonderful stand of mature trees, a grassy playground, an excellent small sandy beach, paddle boat rentals, swimming, hiking, and nature study. Park facilities include a barbecue pit, concession stand, picnic tables, a playground, washrooms, paddle boat rentals, drinking water. There is also a gazebo that is for rent.
The park is home to native plants and thriving colonies of beavers and muskrats, as well as to breeding populations of loons, mallard ducks, and numerous small birds. The lake is stocked annually with rainbow trout, and supports a substantial recreational fishery. Large tadpoles can be found in the shallow water around the shores of the lake.
The entry to the Rhododendron Garden is at the west side of the parking lot of Whonnock Lake Centre. The creation of the garden was the dream of the Fraser Valley Rhododendron Society and many volunteers worked hard before it could be opened in May, 2000.
WHONNOCK LAKE CENTRE
Whonnock Lake Centre is located at the entrance of Whonnock Lake Park. The address is 27871 113th Avenue.
The Whonnock Community Association built the Centre with financial support of the Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments as well as corporate and personal donors. The Association opened the doors of Whonnock Lake Centre on July 16, 1988 and their board and other volunteers have managed the operation of the Centre for the last 25 years.
Today the centre is managed by Parks and Leisure Services of the District of Maple Ridge.
Throughout the year the facility is the hub of the community’s activities where a selection of popular programs and events are offered. Regular programs at the Centre include those of Westcoast Shotokan Karate, Iron Mountain Movement, Jaimee Stokes Fitness and Yoga.
The Centre is where the Whonnock Community Association and the Whonnock Weavers and Spinners have their meeting and arrange their events and happenings.
Whonnock Lake Centre is the home of Maple Ridge Canoe and Kayak Club and the Lakeside Preschool.
Things to Do:
The Ridge Canoe & Kayak Club has been operating aquatic sports programs on Whonnock Lake since 1982. Initially begun as a flat water Olympic racing club, R.C.K.C. has attracted members with interests in may areas of paddling sports, including recreational canoeing, marathon canoeing and competitive canoeing and kayaking.
Ridge Canoe & Kayak Club provides a variety of canoe and kayak programs for its members and for the community and offers a high standard of instruction in boating skills and water safety.