🌤️ High 23C

Good morning,

A new park opens in Abbotsford this morning: Cooper Hill Park on McKee Road, built around a natural ridge with panoramic views of the mountains and city. There's a ribbon-cutting celebration from 10 AM to noon if you’re free to stop by.

On a practical note, lane closures begin today on Chilliwack Lake Road for bridge remediation work running through August 17. And looking ahead, Hope RCMP is hosting its first ever open house on August 15.

– Emily

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🌤 Local forecast: Langley | Chilliwack | Abbotsford | Hope | Mission

🚘 Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google, and find DriveBC’s latest updates.

🛣 Click here for links to road cameras across the Fraser Valley, including those for the Coquihalla, Highway 7, Hope-Princeton, Fraser Canyon, and Highway 1 in Langley and Abbotsford.

y opens this morning in Abbotsford, and it's a little different from your average neighbourhood park.

The 3.3-hectare park on McKee Road was built around the site's natural topography, with an elevated gravel trail running along a scenic ridge with panoramic views of the mountains and city. Four benches are spaced along the trail for anyone who wants to stop and take it in.

The park was created by Polygon Homes as part of the development of the neighbouring Cooper Meadows community, and both are named after the Cooper family, who farmed the land from 1926 to 2020.

"From the beginning, Polygon's vision for this community has been to honour the natural beauty of the site while creating places where families can connect, explore and feel at home," said Neil Chrystal, president and CEO of Polygon Homes.

To mark the opening, the city is hosting a ribbon-cutting celebration from 10 AM to noon today, with the Brownie Bakers food truck, a StoryWalk along the trail, a scavenger hunt, mini golf, lawn games, and complimentary giveaways.

Cooper Hill Park is the latest in a series of new parks across the city, following the recent openings of Gilmour Park and the Crossley Park splash pad.

RibFest Langley is a summer favourite featuring award-winning barbecue from world-famous "Ribbers," live entertainment, a KidZone, and adult beverages. Admission is by donation, with 100% of net proceeds supporting Langley service organizations and Rotary projects. Join the fun at McLeod Athletic Park for one of the Township's tastiest annual events.

🚧 Lane closures are planned on Chilliwack Lake Road from July 29 to August 17 for erosion remediation work on the Tamihi Bridge, with single-lane alternating traffic during weekday working hours. [BC Government]

🔫 B.C.'s Independent Investigations Office is investigating after an Abbotsford police officer shot at a fleeing suspect during a property crime investigation on July 26. The man was later found dead in a Langley driveway. A second suspect remains at large. [CBC News]

🚓 Hope RCMP is hosting its first annual open house on August 15 at the Hope detachment, with cell block tours, police dog services, emergency response team demonstrations, and a free community BBQ. [Hope RCMP]

💧 Abbotsford and Mission will move to Stage 2 water restrictions on July 31, prohibiting lawn watering as dry conditions persist across the region. [City of Abbotsford]

🎡 A free shuttle will run between Cottonwood Mall and the Chilliwack Fair from August 7 to 9, with regular fares applying on all other routes. [Fraser Valley Today]

🏘️ Mission council has approved a development permit for a 156-unit townhome complex in Silverdale's Loftus Village, the second of six planned complexes in the development. [Mission City Record]

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Brews + Bouquets at Sidekick Brewing: Frankie's Flower Farm hosts a bouquet-building workshop at Sidekick Brewing in Chilliwack on July 30. All flowers and supplies included, no experience needed.

Abbotsford Agrifair: The beloved country fair returns to Abbotsford Exhibition Park July 31 to August 2, with the RCMP Musical Ride, demolition derby, pig races, farm animals, rides, and more.

Outdoor Movie Night at Cultus Lake: A free screening of E.T. at Main Beach, Cultus Lake on July 31. Bring your own chairs and blankets

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