Directly across the street from Windsor Garden lies one of the most useable and beautiful parks in Richmond.
Perched next to the fire hall, McLean Neighbourhood Park is just under 11 acres in size, and boasts a wide variety of features that support residents of all ages.
There’s a soccer field, a basketball court, walking trails, a ball court, an off-leash dog area, and a children’s playground that is currently being upgraded.
There’s even a community library where you can borrow and exchange books with other neighbors.
It’s a beautiful natural setting that offers year-round value, and is visually stunning. Other Richmond parks that offer similar levels of activity features don’t have nearly the same aesthetic appeal.
The dog area is fenced in, and there’s a dog waste collection bin at the entrance for convenience, created as a pilot project.
Two sculptural focal points
Two sculptures are located in the park. One is the Spotty the Dog windmill near the fire hall. Created by Douglas Taylor, Spotty the Dog is a large wind machine depicting one of the
most recognized symbols of the fire service, the dalmation.
The dog gallops in slow motion as a mascot for the
Hamilton Fire Hall. It’s so cleverly designed that in high winds it even slows down to protect itself. The artwork includes
a large firefighter’s helmet that depicts the image of the Maltese Cross worn by all firefighters, a symbol of protection and a badge of honour. Spotty the Dog was commissioned by the City of Richmond in 2007.
In the centre of the park you’ll find the Blue Heron sculpture. Created by Bryn Finer and Donald Gunn, this piece was sponsored by the Hamilton Community Association. It is essentially a park bench that incorporates a sculpture of a Great Blue heron. The Heron is an enduring symbol for the City of Richmond and reflects the rich natural heritage of the Fraser River delta. As a native species to this region, it relies on clean rivers, places where it can hunt undisturbed, plentiful food sources and safe places to nest. This work aims to remind us of how we can all do our part in protecting the environment for future generations to enjoy.
Year round recreational sanctuary
Any time of day or night, and any time of year, you’ll find people using the walking trails and other areas of the park for personal recreation. McLean park is another great reason to choose Windsor Garden as your home.
If using the off-leash dog area, remember to Pet owners in dogs off-leash areas adhere to the usage guidelines.
Here are a few photos. Click on any one for a larger version.
This post is also available in:
