www.vancouver21.com

Steveston BC has always been a fishing village. First, it provided a livelihood for the Musqueam First Nations people who lived here for centuries. Then came early-settlers of European and Japanese ancestries attracted by the vast resources at sea.

Ocean fishing is a dangerous profession. Capsizes or being washed overboard happened often in the choppy sea where salmons and shell-fish thrived. Every parting at the mouth of the Fraser River could be the last. When fishermen were out at sea for days and never returned, family members on shore could only imagine the worst and mourn their loved ones. Accept the fate was never easy but they did realize that you live by the sea, you could just die by it.

Years later, memories were passed on from generation to generation. On May 04, 1996, a monument was finally erected at Garry Point Park to honour those fishermen who were lost at sea. They not only gave their lives in supporting their families but also played a critical role in building the community that made Steveston what it is today. A large fishing-net needle used to repair nets were chosen as the design with the following words inscribed, “This memorial honours all the fishermen of our community who have lost their lives in the pursuit of their profession. Their courage, dedication and contribution to the development of our community will never be forgotten.”

Garry Point Park in Steveston is a large piece of grassland in the southern part of Richmond BC. This is also the place where the South Arm of the Fraser River meets the sea. The landscaping is flat with no obstructions and few large objects dotted the 44-acre parkland. Sea breeze is plentiful. Therefore, one of the most popular activities in the spring and summer is kite-flying or kite-gliding. Kite enthusiasts from all over the Vancouver area come to Garry Point Park to enjoy the sport.

A perfect day at Garry Point Park for them would be seeing their colorful kites rise up into the deep blue sky buoyed by winds that set their minds free.

The southern part of the city of Richmond is beaming with activities especially in the summer and warmer months. Here is also where Richmond’s past has been revitalized for the future.







Steveston, what used to be a fishing village and the former site of BC Packers and Gulf of Georgia Cannery, was transformed into a heritage site, residential area, a community centre and most-importantly, a tourist attraction. The Steveston Fisherman’s Wharf is a popular attraction in Richmond for locals and tourists alike.





When BC Packers left Steveston some years ago, there was real danger that the area could become a ghost town. Yet Steveston, this former sleepy little municipality was able to turn itself around into an attractive tourist destination in a few short years after undergoing a major metamorphosis. If you knew Steveston then and had been away for some time, you would not be able to recognize its present form. Nowadays, people from all over Vancouver and even tourists from around the world come to visit this part of the greater Vancouver area once known for its cannery shops and agricultural farms.





Come to Richmond these days and there are plenty of historical sites for old-time sakes, whether it is the Britiania Heritage Shipyard, Steveston Fisherman’s Wharf or the Gulf of Georgia Cannery.

As you heels click on the Steveston boardwalk on a sunny day, you will be reminded at every turn of the ‘good old days’ when salmons were meant to put into cans and local fruits and vegetables were sold in open air markets. But if you fancy some freshly-caught salmons off the ocean and pick-your-own farm strawberries, there are often local merchants that could suit your particular needs.