Richmond Garry Point Park

A waterfront escape at the edge of Richmond

Garry Point Park sits on 74 hectares of rolling grass and sandy shoreline at Richmond’s southwestern tip, right where the Fraser River’s South Arm widens into the Salish Sea. There is no dramatic entrance gate or ticket booth, just a wide, open field that gradually gives way to driftwood and beach, then water stretching toward Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

The park’s flat, exposed layout is part of its character. Unlike the forested trails found elsewhere in Richmond, Garry Point trades shade for horizon. On a clear day the sightlines reach past the Gulf Islands to the Northshore Mountains, and locals regularly name it among the best places in Richmond to watch the sun go down.

Kuno Garden and the cherry blossom walk

Near the park’s entrance, Kuno Garden offers a quieter, more structured counterpoint to the open shoreline. The Japanese-style memorial garden was established in 1989 by Richmond’s Japanese community to honour Gihei Kuno, the first Japanese immigrant to settle in Steveston, and the thousands who followed to work the salmon canneries. Stone structures and horticultural details throughout the garden nod to Wakayama, Japan, Richmond’s sister prefecture.

Come spring, roughly 250 cherry trees planted along a canopied walkway burst into bloom, typically peaking in early to mid-April. It is one of the most photographed corners of the park, and mornings or weekdays are the easiest way to see it without the crowds that gather on warm weekend afternoons.

Wide open fields built for kites

The same flat, unobstructed geography that makes Garry Point a sunset destination also makes it one of Richmond’s most reliable spots for kite flying and power kiting. With almost nothing to interrupt the wind coming off the water, the open lawns fill on breezy afternoons with kites of every size, from simple diamonds to full stunt rigs.

The grass also works for anything low-key: picnic blankets, frisbee, a slow walk with the dog, or just sitting on a driftwood log and watching the fishing boats come and go from Steveston Harbour.

Scotch Pond and the Fisherman’s Memorial

Steveston Village is right next door

Garry Point Park connects directly to Steveston Village on a wide waterfront walkway that runs past the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, so there is no need to move the car to explore both in the same afternoon. Steveston’s fishing-village roots are still visible in its working harbour, heritage buildings, and boat-to-table seafood stalls.

A seasonal concession near the park’s southeast corner keeps the tradition going with fresh fish and chips, gourmet burgers, and clam chowder, alongside a second stand for ice cream and coffee. It is a simple, unfussy way to round out a beach walk, especially with a view of the harbour to eat it by.

Planning your visit

The main entrance sits on 7th Avenue at the southwest corner of Richmond, between Chatham and Moncton Street. Drivers coming from central Richmond generally follow Railway Avenue or Steveston Highway down to the waterfront. The on-site lot is free, though it fills quickly on warm weekends and during cherry blossom season, and a paid lot nearby offers a backup option.

For those without a car, the Canada Line SkyTrain to Richmond-Brighouse connects to bus routes running toward Steveston, putting the park within an easy transit trip of downtown Vancouver. Once inside the park, paved and gravel pathways connect to the wider Steveston Landing Greenway and the West Dyke Trail, both offering several more kilometres of flat, waterfront walking and cycling for anyone who wants to extend the visit.

See it for yourself

Frequently asked questions