Maple Ridge to expand outdoor recreation with new Volker Park Rec Box

Maple Ridge residents are invited to get outside, try something new and connect with neighbours through free drop-in recreation activities at Volker Park this fall. The city’s new Volker Park Rec Box opens with an after-school sports session on Thursday, Oct. 8, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. It will bring sports equipment, games, crafts and family activities directly into the park so residents can be active close to home. No registration is required, and people can participate at their own pace. Activities are designed for children, youth and families.

The Rec Box is a secure container on site for sports equipment, mobile play structures and program supplies. It will serve as the base for five free pop-up activities this fall: after-school sports on Thursday, Oct. 8, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., with drop-in sports and games; after-school sports on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., with drop-in sports; Halloween Haunt & Play on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with free activities including ghoulish crafts and Halloween games; Family S’mores & Hot Cocoa on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 3 to 5 p.m., with s’mores, hot cocoa and lawn games; and Winter Wonderland on Monday, Dec. 21, from 2 to 4 p.m., with seasonal music, games and crafts.

The city selected Volker Park because it is a large, recently upgraded park serving families in northwest Maple Ridge and is well suited to outdoor recreation programming. Bringing equipment and city-led activities into the park is intended to reduce barriers to participation and expand access to recreation without requiring residents to travel to a facility or register in advance.

The Rec Box was funded through the Volker Park improvements project as part of the city’s 2026–2030 Capital Plan. It supports Council’s Strategic Priorities and the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan, available at https://www.mapleridge.ca/your-government/plans-strategies/parks-recreation-culture-master-plan. City recreation staff will coordinate programming, set up and take down activities, and secure equipment in the Rec Box when programs are not underway. The city will also conduct regular site checks and maintenance to keep the area clean, safe and ready for use.

“We had a collaborative effort across several of our recreation team members, and we’re excited to see it come to life,” said Cidalia Martin, director of recreation. “By bringing programming into our parks where people already gather, we’re making it easier for residents of all ages and abilities to be active and enjoy our outdoor spaces.”

The Rec Box is expected to return in 2027 with an expanded schedule that may include Spring Break programming, additional pop-up recreation activities, fitness activations, and outdoor and nature camps. Activities may be adjusted or cancelled because of severe weather or site conditions. Residents can follow the City of Maple Ridge’s website and social media channels for program updates and details about the 2027 activations.