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A new park is opening in Abbotsford next Saturday — and it's more than just a playground. Westridge Park includes a Cultural Contemplative Space and Japanese heritage garden honouring the history of Japanese Canadians in British Columbia, alongside the usual family-friendly amenities. The ribbon cutting is September 19 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM.
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A new Abbotsford park opening honours Japanese Canadian history
Photo: City of Abbotsford
A new park is opening in Abbotsford on September 19 — and it comes with a meaningful piece of local history built into its design.
Westridge Park, located at 30978 Westridge Drive, features a playground with a water play feature and zipline, a gathering shelter, picnic tables, and paved accessible pathways connecting to nearby Townline Hill Park. The park also includes a Cultural Contemplative Space and Japanese heritage garden, partially funded by the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society, recognizing the history and contributions of Japanese Canadians in British Columbia.
"This new contemplative space and heritage garden brings an important part of Abbotsford's history into the open," said Japanese Canadian Legacies Society CEO Susanne Tabata. "It is also part of a much larger effort to recognize the contributions Japanese Canadians have made in British Columbia since the 1870s, to preserve places of memory, and to build a strong community and legacy for generations to come."
Mayor Ross Siemens said the park was designed with both activity and reflection in mind.
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Need to Know
🗳️ Langley Township's October 17 election will feature two mayoral candidates, 20 council candidates, and 15 school board contenders, with two slates — Progress For Langley and Langley Strong — accounting for more than half the field. [Langley Advance Times]
🏭 Langley's Apex Aluminum Extrusions has laid off 50 per cent of its staff after U.S. tariffs on its products will rise to 100 per cent on September 15, while foreign competitors face no barriers entering the Canadian market. The company says it will not move operations to the U.S. [CTV News]
🐔 Abbotsford chicken farmers are hoping new air filtration technology could help protect flocks as migration season approaches and avian flu risk rises — following a year that saw 10 million birds lost in B.C. [Vancouver Sun]
📺 B.C. Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay discussed her campaign priorities ahead of the Abbotsford-Mission byelection, with advance voting running September 18–23 and election day on September 26. [CBC News]
🗳️ The Abbotsford-Mission byelection is shaping up as a pivotal moment for B.C. politics, with analysts saying the future and direction of the B.C. Conservative party could hinge on the outcome of the September 26 vote. [Vancouver Sun]
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🗓 Things to Do
The Spitfire Grill at Theatre in the Country: A dinner theatre production of The Spitfire Grill runs September 10–26 in Langley, featuring local talent in an award-winning musical about second chances and community.
Taste of Abby Night Market: The fifth annual Taste of Abby Night Market takes place at Jubilee Park in Abbotsford on September 18, with local food, drink, live music, and art from 5–10 PM.
Ride for RAN: A community cycling event at Fairfield Park in Chilliwack on September 19, raising funds for Ruth & Naomi's Mission. Routes of 20, 40, and 80 km available, plus a Mini Ride for kids and a Family Zone for non-cyclists.
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