Maple Ridge, British Columbia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maple Ridge
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| City of Maple Ridge | |||
Maple Meadows railway station
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| Nickname(s):
"Ridge"
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| Mottoes:
"Rivers of bounty, Peaks of gold" or "Deep Roots, Greater Heights"
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Location of Maple Ridge in Metro Vancouver
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| Country | Canada | ||
| Province | British Columbia | ||
| Regional district | Metro Vancouver | ||
| Incorporation | September 12, 1874 (district municipality) | ||
| September 12, 2014 (city) | |||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Mayor-council government | ||
| • Body | City of Maple Ridge Council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Land | 267.82 km2 (103.41 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 80 m (260 ft) | ||
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 90,990 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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99,996 | ||
| • Density | 339.7/km2 (880/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) | ||
| Forward sortation area |
V2W – V2X, V4R
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| Area codes | 604, 778, 236, 672 | ||
Maple Ridge is a city in British Columbia, Canada. It is located in the northeastern part of Greater Vancouver. The city sits between the Fraser River and the Golden Ears mountains. These mountains are part of the Coast Mountains. In 2021, Maple Ridge had a population of 90,990 people. Its main downtown area used to be called Haney.
Contents
- Discover the History of Maple Ridge
- Explore Maple Ridge's Geography
- Understanding Maple Ridge's Population
- Maple Ridge's Economy and Industries
- Arts and Culture in Maple Ridge
- Sports and Famous Athletes
- Getting Around: Transportation in Maple Ridge
- Education Opportunities
- Notable People from Maple Ridge
- Images for kids
- See also
Discover the History of Maple Ridge
Maple Ridge became a district municipality on September 12, 1874. At that time, it was quite large, covering about 330 square kilometers (127 square miles). But only about 50 families lived there! Maple Ridge is one of the oldest municipalities in British Columbia.
For many years, it was part of a different regional district. Then, in 1995, it joined Metro Vancouver. This is the large regional government that includes many cities around Vancouver.
In 2014, the people of Maple Ridge voted to change its status from a "district municipality" to a "city." This change became official on September 12, 2014. It was a special day because it also marked Maple Ridge's 140th anniversary!
Explore Maple Ridge's Geography
Maple Ridge is made up of several unique areas. Each area has its own history and character.
Communities within Maple Ridge
Here are some of the historical communities that make up Maple Ridge:
- Albion
- Haney (which is now the main downtown area)
- Iron Mountain
- Kanaka Creek
- Port Hammond
- Ruskin
- Silver Valley
- Thornhill
- Webster's Corners
- Whonnock
- Yennadon
Some of these areas are known for the groups of people who settled there. For example, Albion and Webster's Corners had many Finnish families. Port Hammond is famous for its small houses built for mill workers. Ruskin has a hall for the Sons of Norway, even though English followers of John Ruskin founded the area. Kanaka Creek was originally home to workers from the Pacific Islands who worked at Fort Langley.
Port Haney is a special heritage area near the Fraser River. It has old buildings from when it was a steamboat stop and a train station. Some historic buildings from other parts of Maple Ridge were moved here to help preserve them.
Maple Ridge's Climate
Maple Ridge has an oceanic climate, which means it has mild, wet winters and warm, drier summers.
| Climate data for Maple Ridge Kanaka Creek | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 14.5 (58.1) |
20.0 (68.0) |
25.5 (77.9) |
29.5 (85.1) |
31.0 (87.8) |
34.0 (93.2) |
36.5 (97.7) |
34.5 (94.1) |
35.5 (95.9) |
27.5 (81.5) |
16.0 (60.8) |
13.5 (56.3) |
36.5 (97.7) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 5.0 (41.0) |
7.8 (46.0) |
10.9 (51.6) |
14.9 (58.8) |
17.9 (64.2) |
20.5 (68.9) |
23.8 (74.8) |
24.1 (75.4) |
21.1 (70.0) |
14.1 (57.4) |
8.1 (46.6) |
4.6 (40.3) |
14.4 (57.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 2.5 (36.5) |
4.0 (39.2) |
6.5 (43.7) |
9.6 (49.3) |
12.5 (54.5) |
15.2 (59.4) |
17.7 (63.9) |
17.8 (64.0) |
15.0 (59.0) |
10.0 (50.0) |
5.4 (41.7) |
2.4 (36.3) |
9.9 (49.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 0.0 (32.0) |
0.1 (32.2) |
1.9 (35.4) |
4.3 (39.7) |
7.1 (44.8) |
9.9 (49.8) |
11.7 (53.1) |
11.6 (52.9) |
8.9 (48.0) |
5.9 (42.6) |
2.8 (37.0) |
0.2 (32.4) |
5.4 (41.7) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −17 (1) |
−13.5 (7.7) |
−9 (16) |
−2.5 (27.5) |
−1 (30) |
2.5 (36.5) |
5.0 (41.0) |
5.0 (41.0) |
1.0 (33.8) |
−6 (21) |
−13 (9) |
−17.5 (0.5) |
−17.5 (0.5) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 275.8 (10.86) |
146.1 (5.75) |
174.3 (6.86) |
144.1 (5.67) |
132.5 (5.22) |
90.0 (3.54) |
59.4 (2.34) |
63.3 (2.49) |
82.5 (3.25) |
189.0 (7.44) |
308.2 (12.13) |
236.7 (9.32) |
1,901.9 (74.88) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 252.4 (9.94) |
138.2 (5.44) |
167.9 (6.61) |
144.0 (5.67) |
132.4 (5.21) |
90.0 (3.54) |
59.4 (2.34) |
63.3 (2.49) |
82.5 (3.25) |
188.9 (7.44) |
301.8 (11.88) |
218.6 (8.61) |
1,839.4 (72.42) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 23.4 (9.2) |
7.9 (3.1) |
6.4 (2.5) |
0.1 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.0) |
6.4 (2.5) |
18.1 (7.1) |
62.5 (24.6) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 21.0 | 15.4 | 20.0 | 17.7 | 16.0 | 13.4 | 9.0 | 8.1 | 9.1 | 16.8 | 21.3 | 20.5 | 188.1 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 19.9 | 14.6 | 19.4 | 17.7 | 16.0 | 13.4 | 9.0 | 8.1 | 9.1 | 16.8 | 20.9 | 19.1 | 184 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 4.1 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.05 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 12.75 |
| Source: Environment Canada | |||||||||||||
Understanding Maple Ridge's Population
In 2021, Maple Ridge had a population of 90,990 people. This was a growth from 82,256 people in 2016. The city covers about 267.82 square kilometers (103.41 square miles).
Diverse Ethnic Backgrounds
Maple Ridge is home to people from many different backgrounds. Most residents are of European descent. There are also growing communities of people with East Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, African, and Latin American heritage. Many Indigenous people also live in Maple Ridge.
Religious Beliefs in the Community
Many people in Maple Ridge do not identify with a specific religion. Among those who do, Christianity is the largest religious group. Other religions practiced in the city include Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
Languages Spoken in Maple Ridge
In 2021, most residents (78.5%) spoke English as their first language. Other common first languages include Chinese, Punjabi, Tagalog, Persian, Spanish, Korean, and French. Some residents speak both English and another language at home.
Maple Ridge's Economy and Industries
Historically, people in Maple Ridge worked in forestry (cutting down trees) and agriculture (farming). Today, forestry companies are still big employers. They make building materials, yachts, and poles.
Maple Ridge was once home to a factory that made lithium-ion batteries. This company, E-One Moli Energy, was the only one of its kind in North America. However, it downsized and now mainly does product testing.
Maple Ridge: A Filming Hotspot
The city of Maple Ridge has become a popular place for movies and TV shows! The Ridge Film Studios are located downtown. Many TV series use this studio as a set.
Maple Ridge has been a background for many famous productions. These include scenes from the movie Rambo in the 1970s. Other well-known shows and films shot here include The X-Files, Smallville, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, and Stargate SG-1.
The city is working to create more business and industry areas. This will help create more jobs for local residents.
Arts and Culture in Maple Ridge
Maple Ridge offers many places for performing arts. These include the Arts Centre and Theatre (ACT) and a bandstand in Memorial Peace Park. Local high schools also have theatres.
The ACT has a large theatre that can seat 486 people for music and plays. It also has a smaller studio theatre for other performances and classes. The ACT is a non-profit place for the community. The Maple Ridge Art Gallery is also inside the ACT. It shows art from local artists and students.
Festivals and Events
Maple Ridge hosts many fun festivals and parades throughout the year:
- The Santa Claus Parade & Christmas in the Park
- Earth Day celebrations
- Canada Day in Memorial Peace Park
- GETI Fest
- AdStock Music Festival
- Aboriginal Day celebrations
- The Celebrate the Night Halloween & Fireworks event
- The Caribbean Festival at the Albion Fairgrounds
- Country Fest, one of BC's longest-running agricultural fairs.
Maple Ridge also has one of the biggest Remembrance Day events in the Lower Mainland. It happens every November 11 at Memorial Peace Park. Over 2,000 people attend the parade of veterans and first responders.
The Haney Farmers Market is held every Saturday from May to October at Memorial Peace Park. You can find fresh local produce and goods there.
The Maple Ridge Concert Band is a community band that has been playing music for over 50 years!
Sports and Famous Athletes
Maple Ridge is the hometown of several well-known athletes. These include:
- Baseball players Larry Walker and Tyler O’Neill
- Deceased race-car driver Greg Moore
- Hockey players Cam Neely, Brendan Morrison, Brad Hunt, and Andrew Ladd
Getting Around: Transportation in Maple Ridge
Translink provides public transportation in Maple Ridge. This includes buses and the West Coast Express commuter train. The main bus station is Haney Place Exchange. All bus lines in Maple Ridge stop there.
Maple Ridge is connected by Highway 7 to Pitt Meadows in the west and Mission in the east. The Dewdney Trunk Road is another route that goes through the community of Stave Falls into Mission.
The Golden Ears Bridge connects Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows to Langley.
The Pitt Meadows Regional Airport is the only airport on the north side of the Fraser River. It serves the area from Mission to Vancouver.
Education Opportunities
Public schools in Maple Ridge are managed by School District 42 Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows. This school district serves students from Maple Ridge and nearby Pitt Meadows. It also welcomes international students.
The district has 18 elementary schools, 5 secondary (high) schools, and other learning centers.
High Schools with Special Programs
Some of the public high schools offer special programs:
- Thomas Haney Secondary School uses a self-directed learning system. Students can choose their own path to meet learning goals. It also has an equestrian (horse riding) academy, music, theatre, and sports programs.
- Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary School, opened in 2005, focuses on technology. It offers various trades programs with local colleges.
- Garibaldi Secondary School offers the International Baccalaureate program and a DigiPen Technology Academy.
- Westview Secondary School and Maple Ridge Secondary School are the other two public high schools.
Elementary Schools with Unique Systems
Some elementary schools also have special programs:
- Kanaka Creek Elementary uses a year-round schooling system. This means shorter breaks throughout the year instead of one long summer break.
- Alouette Elementary School has a cyberschool program. This allows some students to learn from home using computers on certain days.
Private Schools
Maple Ridge also has several private schools:
- Meadowridge School: An independent school for students from junior kindergarten to grade 12.
- James Cameron School: For children in Grades 2–7 with learning disabilities.
- St. Patrick's: A Catholic school.
- Maple Ridge Christian School: For students from kindergarten to grade 12.
These schools are not run by the public school district but must meet provincial education standards.
Post-Secondary Education
For education after high school, students in Maple Ridge can attend:
- BCIT: Offers courses as part of the BCIT School of Business Entrepreneurship Associate Certificate Program.
- Douglas College: Has a campus at Thomas Haney Secondary School and offers courses at the Ridge Meadows Maternity Clinic.
- Sprott Shaw College: A private college.
Notable People from Maple Ridge
Many famous people have come from Maple Ridge, including:
- Snak the Ripper, a rapper
- Elizabeth Bachinsky, a poet
- Linda Chung, a Hong Kong actress and singer
- Matthew Good, a rock musician
- Stirling Hart, a World Champion Lumberjack
- Brad Hunt, an NHL player for the Vancouver Canucks
- Susan Jacks, a singer/songwriter
- Alexz Johnson, a music artist and actress
- Kyle Labine, an actor
- Tyler Labine, an actor
- Andrew Ladd, a professional hockey player
- Karina LeBlanc, a professional soccer player for Team Canada
- Madeline Merlo, a country music singer/songwriter
- Greg Moore, a deceased race car driver
- Michael Moriarty, an actor and jazz musician
- George Mussallem, a former politician
- Helen Mussallem, a recipient of the Order of Canada
- Cam Neely, a Hall of Fame NHL player
- Tyler O'Neill, a Major League Baseball (MLB) player
- Molly Parker, an actress
- El Phantasmo, a professional wrestler
- Gregory Scofield, a poet
- Scott Smith, bassist for Loverboy
- Rick Tippe, a country music artist
- Larry Walker, a Hall of Fame MLB player
- Giuseppe du Toit, a professional rugby player
- Linus Sebastian, a media personality
Images for kids
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Maple Meadows railway station
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Flag of Maple Ridge
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Logo of Maple Ridge
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Location of Maple Ridge in Metro Vancouver
See also
In Spanish: Maple Ridge (Columbia Británica) para niños
