Deer Lake (British Columbia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Deer Lake |
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 Deer Lake
Location in Greater Vancouver Regional District
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| Location | Burnaby, British Columbia |
| Coordinates | 49°14′12″N 122°58′39″W / 49.236655°N 122.977395°W |
| Basin countries | Canada |
Deer Lake is a beautiful lake located in the heart of Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. It's a popular spot for nature lovers and families. The lake is surrounded by forests and fields, home to many different plants and animals. You can explore the area using its many walking trails.
These trails connect the lake and its natural areas to several fun places. You'll find a boat launch, picnic spots, a playground, and washrooms. The area also features the Burnaby Art Gallery, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, and Burnaby Village Museum. It's a great place for a day out!
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What to Do at Deer Lake Park
Deer Lake Park is a hub for arts, culture, and outdoor fun. It offers many activities for visitors of all ages.
Arts and Culture Spots
The north side of Deer Lake Park is home to several important cultural places. These spots offer a chance to learn and enjoy art.
Burnaby Art Gallery
The Burnaby Art Gallery is located in the historic Ceperley Mansion. It showcases both old and new art. The gallery also takes care of Burnaby City's permanent art collection. It's a great place to see different styles of art.
Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts is a community arts building. It hosts art shows, performances, and festivals all year round. You can also take art classes here. Many concerts and festivals happen in the park right next to the centre.
Burnaby Village Museum
The Burnaby Village Museum lets you step back in time to the 1920s. It has a mix of original and recreated buildings from that era. A special highlight is the vintage C. W. Parker Carousel. You can ride this old-fashioned carousel, which is a lot of fun!
Boating and Outdoor Fun
Deer Lake is a great place to enjoy the water. You can rent different types of boats during the warmer months.
Boat Rentals
Deer Lake Boat Rentals offers various boats for rent. You can choose from canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, and rowboats. These are available to the public during the summer. Please note that boats with gas or electric motors are not allowed on Deer Lake. This helps keep the lake peaceful and clean.
The History of Deer Lake
The area around Deer Lake has changed a lot over time. It was once a thick forest, but now it's a mix of natural and developed areas.
Forests and Animals of the Past
The natural plants in this area used to be a type of temperate rainforest. This forest had tall trees like hemlock, Douglas fir, and western red cedar. Most of these very tall trees were cut down in the early 1900s.
Some animals like rainbow trout, sculpin, and crayfish probably lived in Deer Lake naturally. However, many of the animals in the lake today were brought here by people. These include animals like bullfrogs and certain types of catfish and carp.
The Legend of Deer Lake
There is an old story about Deer Lake called The Legend of Deer Lake. It was told by E. Pauline Johnson. This is a Coast Salish tale about a secret waterway. It was said to connect False Creek to Deer Lake.
The story tells of a young Indigenous man, who later became the first chief Capilano. He speared a large harbour seal in False Creek. He used a spear made from elk antler with a line of western red cedar. The seal got away through a hidden underground creek. The young man searched for months along the shore. One day, he saw flames from a forest fire that seemed to call him inland. On the shore of Deer Lake, he found the remains of the seal and his spear. Finding his spear again helped him become a great hunter once more.
Modern Changes Around the Lake
Today, you can see new buildings overlooking the lake. These are condominiums, which are apartments that people own. These buildings are located where a large farm once stood. This farm was part of a facility called Oakalla.
A school called Deer Lake School (for grades K-12) is also located nearby. It is named after the lake.
Images for kids
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Deer Lake
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Deer Lake, as seen from a hill southwest of the lake on April 16, 2013.
