Walnut Grove: a neighbourhood guide

Walnut Grove is a mostly residential neighbourhood in the northwest corner of the Township, with a lively community centre at its heart and the Fraser River a short drive away. Walnut Grove Drive is the spine of the neighbourhood, and 88 Avenue also shows up as one of the area’s main roads on TransLink’s regional map.

Community centre and park

The Walnut Grove Community Centre is one of the Township’s three pools. The Township’s 2019 community profile describes an indoor leisure pool with a water slide and diving boards, plus a fitness centre. The library, the Dean Drysdale Library, shares the address.

The community park beside it has a skateboard park, a spray park, playing fields and courts, a playground and picnic shelters. It sits next to Walnut Grove Secondary School. The Township recently asked residents for feedback on possible park improvements, starting with baseball field upgrades. The Township’s project page has the details.

Derby Reach and the river

Derby Reach Regional Park, a Metro Vancouver park on the Fraser River, is next door. Metro Vancouver says the original Fort Langley was built there in 1827 and moved to its present site in 1839, and the park’s Heritage Area has a cairn and exhibits. It also has an Edgewater Bar campground with 38 rustic sites (online reservations), an off-leash dog area, and trails ranging from a 2 km Edge Trail to a 5.4 km Edgewater Bar to 208 Street route. The Fort-to-Fort Trail joins the park to Fort Langley.

A short history

The Township of Langley incorporated in 1873 and calls Fort Langley the “Birthplace of BC” on its history pages. The first Fort Langley stood at Derby Reach, close to Walnut Grove, so the neighbourhood sits close to where the story began. We haven’t found a Township page about Walnut Grove’s own history, so we’ll add more if we do.

Shopping and food

The 2019 profile mentions several shopping plazas, two major grocery stores, and a mix of independent and chain businesses, with restaurants, cafes, bakeries and fitness studios. The Cineplex Langley theatre is mentioned by the Township as well. For businesses, the Walnut Grove-Willoughby Business Association is the local group.

Schools

The Langley School District lists these nearby: Alex Hope, Dorothy Peacock, Gordon Greenwood, Topham and West Langley Elementary Schools, and Walnut Grove Secondary (8919 Walnut Grove Drive). Boundaries change, so check the district’s school locator.

Getting there

The Township’s profile notes direct access to the Trans-Canada Highway and the Golden Ears Bridge. For buses, TransLink’s trip planner is the best bet, since routes change.

What’s on

Community centre programs and park events are posted on the Township’s site. See what’s on in Langley. Our City vs. Township explainer shows which municipality you’re in.

Something out of date? Tell us.